Today we are reading from Mark 13: 28-37:

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth 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 tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; 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 slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Today we see Jesus finish this part of His teaching on His return and we see Him focus on two major things we need to be aware of. 

First, we see this – no one knows when He will return.  He says neither the angels, not even the Son, only the Father.  Jesus says that His return is the domain and the authority of the Father.  Not even the Son knows. Only the Father. 

So, if Jesus doesn’t know the details of His return, guess what, you and I are not going to figure it out. I’ve seen so many folks try to nail it down and figure it out, only to be wrong. I always think of the book The Late, Great Planet Earth, which was going to explain it all and nail it down when He would return. I think the first edition of the book was written in the late 70s or early 80s.  And it wasn’t right.  There have been TONS of prophets who just knew they were going to get it right. And they haven’t.  Only the Father knows.  Not me, not you.  Only the Father. 

This leads to the second thing.  Because no one knows, we should always be ready. Always alert.  Live with purpose, live with intentionality.  Don’t sleep through life.  Pay attention. Be ready.  He could return in the time between my typing this guide and the time you read it.  No one knows the day or hours, so because of that, always be ready.  Be alert, be ready.  

Only the Father knows. But may we always be on the look out.  If we can balance those two things together, we will have a healthy understanding of His return.  May we always be ready.  

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