February 27, 2012

NO SLEEP TILL RAPTURE

Mark 13

Emily Murphy
Monday's Devo

February 27, 2012

Monday's Devo

February 27, 2012

Central Truth

This world will not last forever. Jesus is coming. Soon. His heart is for us to be ready and to tell His story to anyone and everyone we can.

Key Verse | Mark 13:35–37

"Therefore, be on the alert -- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning -- in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" (Mark 13:35-37)

Mark 13

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation

14 But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

28 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day or Hour

32 But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. 1 13:33 Some manuscripts add and pray For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants 2 13:34 Or bondservants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, 3 13:35 That is, the third watch of the night, between midnight and 3 a.m. or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Footnotes

[1] 13:33 Some manuscripts add and pray
[2] 13:34 Or bondservants
[3] 13:35 That is, the third watch of the night, between midnight and 3 a.m.

Dive Deeper | Mark 13

My husband sometimes has to work late hours, and he doesn't always get home in time to tell our daughter good night. We both look forward to the nights when we know he is coming home and that she will get to spend some time with him. Our daughter adores her daddy, and her entire being lights up when she sees him. We will sometimes even wait outside for him, and she gets so excited at just the sight of his car and by me saying, "Daddy is coming!"

My hope is that my heart is as ready and excited for the return of Christ.

Our God is a loving God, and He wants us to be prepared for His Son's return. We are not to simply wait around, busy only speculating on the possible signs of the end of times. Jesus states that we are to be His disciples at all times and are directed to take His gospel to all the nations. Our days on this earth are to be marked by active discipleship and a burning faithfulness to the Lord. In the face of the scary events Jesus describes here for his disciples, He also takes the time to pledge His Father's continuing faithfulness to them as He sends the Holy Spirit to direct their words when spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The circumstances surrounding the end of the world will be visible for all to see, but God does not intend for us to be roused only at that time to begin our preparation to see the Lord. He commands us in this passage to be ready. God doesn't intend for us to live in fear or paranoia. "Watchfulness" is the attitude we ought to have. This requires an intimate understanding of God's heart for His people.

I pray that if I am still on this earth, His arrival sparks in me the same joy that I witness on my daughter's face at the sight of her father coming home. I believe that is our Father's hope as well.

Discussion Questions

1. What work do you need to do in your life and in your heart to be ready for Christ's return?

2. Are those around you aware of who Christ is and who He wishes to be in their life?

3. What do Jesus' words "Be on guard" and "Be alert" mean to you and how will you live this out?

4. Does the prospect of the end of times frighten you or spur you on to discipleship?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MARK 13-LUKE 1 (FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 2)

Read Luke 1:26-56.

• What did the angel tell Mary?
• Who was the baby going to be?
• What did Mary do in verses 46-55?
• Make a list of ways that God has been faithful in your life and in your family's life?

Activity: Make a book of "God's Faithfulness!" Each person takes one of the times that God has been faithful and draws a picture or writes the story of God's faithfulness in that particular situation. Do this for the entire list. One page for each time He was faithful. Put this book somewhere where you can add pages to it. Any time you are having a hard time believing that God is with you, pull out the book and remember His serial faithfulness.