WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

 

Mark 13:28-37 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: ²⁹ So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. ³⁰ Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

³¹ Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

³² But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

³³ Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

³⁴ For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. ³⁵ Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: ³⁶ Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

³⁷ And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

This passage is part of the Olivet Discourse, which is a prophetic portion of Scripture given by our Lord to His disciples during passion week.

Portions of this discourse are also found in Matt 25 & 26; Luke 19.

This discourse was given, probably the day following the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem.

In The Olivet Discourse there are four parables mentioned.

• The Prophetic Fig Tree (Matt, Mk, Lk).
• The Parable of The Pretenders [the 10 virgins] (Matt 25).
• The Parable of The Talents (Matt 25, Lk 19).
• The Parable of The Returning Master (Mk 13:34-35).

The Key To The Discourse is found in v 4. Tell us, when shall these things
be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

What they were asking of the Lord is, what would be the events that would
lead the world into the Kingdom age were Christ would reign.

THERE IS A GLORIOUS TIME COMING!! Isaiah 35…

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In response to their request, Jesus warns them concerning “The Signs of The Times.” Though the message is primarily for the Jewish nation, He mentions…

• The Rise of False Prophets (v 5-6, 22).
•  Wars & Rumors of Wars (v 7).
• Hatred of God’s People (v 9-13).
• Un-natural Affections (v 12). (see 2 Peter 3:1-4)
• Great Tribulation (v 19).
• Upheaval In Heaven (v 24). 
•  The Blossoming of The Fig tree (v 28-29).
• The Exact Day Not To Be revealed (v 32-33).

All human history hinges on “Thus saith the Lord.” History is His story!

The central figure of history is Jesus Christ. Christ is seated in heaven
till the fulfillment of these things. Hebrews 1:13 Sit on my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

1.   WHAT HAS JESUS DONE?

• He has taken a long journey (v 34). Travel was difficult in those days. His was especially so… From splendor to suffering, to splendor once more. From the manger, to the cross, to hell, to heaven.

• He has left a household behind (v 34).

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,..

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

• He has given authority to his servants (v 34). Collective responsibility

• He has given every man a work (v 34). Individual responsibility

• He has given commandment for the porter to watch (v 34). Be awake, vigilant, attentive, active.

2.   WHAT WILL HE DO?

• He will come again (v 35).  ..the master of the house cometh..

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

• He will come suddenly (v 35).For ye know not when…

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 …of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Matthew 24:37-39 …as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 25:1-13...

• He will come as lord (v 35). ...the MASTER of the house cometh…

3.   WHAT ARE HIS SERVANTS TO BE DOING?

• We are to watch (v 35-37). ³⁵ Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: ³⁶ Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.³⁷ And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Psalm 130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

• We are to pray (v 33). Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Matthew 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is
plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

• We are to work (v 34). For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:5-8 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

CONCLUSION: Are you in Christ?