“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.” (Mark 13:32-34)
Finding balance when it comes to biblical prophecy can often be tough. Some Christians downplay it and ignore it; some Christians make it their sole focus. These three verses in Mark 13 give me a good perspective on the matter of biblical prophecy.
1. No one knows the day or hour. There are signs to look for but no definite date. Why? Because based on Romans 11:25 I believe Christ’s coming is contingent on when “the full number of Gentiles has come in.” In other words, God is patient and is waiting for men and women to come to faith in Jesus Christ. When the “fullness” has come in (a certain number of people?) then God will start the clock for Christ’s second coming. BTW…I believe Mark 13 is describing the tribulation period when God is primarily working through the nation of Israel again after the church has been raptured and taken away (1 Thess 4: 13-18). There are obviously different opinions on this but that is my best understanding. Whatever the case, Jesus’ words in these verses make it real clear that anyone who claims to know the day of Christ’s return is assuming a knowledge that only God has.
2. We are called to work and to watch. To be honest, sometimes too much focus on biblical prophecy makes people weird. They formulate conspiracy theories, see signs in practical everything in the news, and start advocating radical actions in light of Christ’s eminent return. In this passage, Jesus tells a parable to teach us how to respond to biblical prophecy. We are servants in God’s house. He has left us in charge but at some point in the future He is coming back. In the meantime, we have each been given an “assigned task” and we are to “keep watch.” In other words, we are to live in hope and expectation of His return while doing the specific task that God has gifted and equipped us to do. It’s an awesome thought that God has given each of us an “assigned task.” It parallels Ephesians 2:10 which says that we are God’s workmanship “created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God has created each of us for a specific reason to impact specific people in a specific way for His glory. This is what He calls us to do in light of His return.
I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:7-10. Peter starts off in verse 7 and says, “The end of all things is near.” After that we may be expecting something radical like “go sell all you have, join a commune, wear a sign that says the end is near, and get ready to fly.” Instead Peter goes on to say: “Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” What is end-time living? It is thinking clearly, praying, loving others deeply, offering hospitality, and using your gifts to serve others. It is taking advantage of every moment to build relationships, to grow in your faith, and to love and serve others because we know that time is short. It is watching and working. Hoping and helping. Looking up and looking out for one another.
Lord, you have given me an assigned task in Your household. Help me to know Your will and to accomplish it for Your glory. Teach me to take advantage of every moment to grow in my relationship to You and in my relationship to others as I eagerly anticipate Your return to set this world straight.