MARK 13
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
...when should this second destruction of the city and temple be? This was a question which Gabriel could not answer.
When Jesus was discoursing upon the same topic, four of the apostles addressed him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be?" But, after giving them certain signs by which they might know that the desolation was approaching, he added,
"Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father (Mark 13:3,4,32).
It was a secret reserved in the power of the Father only.
Elpis Israel 4.3.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Good news to All people
After supper we visited the Courthouse again. This time we had the pleasure of addressing quite a respectable audience. We showed them that religion was a matter of testimony and reason; and exactly adapted to the necessities of mankind. A faith that would not stand the test of reason was the credulity of superstition. The Bible religion was rational, and propagated by reason; for the apostles reasoned with their contemporaries out of Moses and the prophets.
If men speak according to these they speak according to truth, and in harmony with the New Testament. What they say ought to be tried by these writings; for if they speak not according to the Law and the Testimony it is because there is no light in them. It was by the Bible we wished our doctrine to be tested; for it was the rule by which we tested all others, and rejected them because they were found not to be in harmony with the word.
Mankind's necessities were intellectual, moral, and physical; for they were ignorant, defiled, and corruptible. Religion was God's remedy for these lesions of humanity. It enlightened the intellect, purified the heart, and in the application of the divine power to the body conferred upon it incorruptibility and life.
There was a time when religion was not, and time will be when the Lamb of God shall have taken away the sin of the world, that religion will be no more. But mankind's necessities are not individual only, they are social and national also. Society in its widest sense is sick, heart-sick,
"from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores."
Religion proposes to heal these—to regenerate the world, and to bless all nations in the Seed of Abraham. The gospel, which is good news to nations, glad tidings of great joy to all people, to society as well as to individuals, proclaims the medium of this blessedness to mankind; and in proclaiming this, announces the purpose of Yahweh in terrestrial creation, and providential supervision. It proclaims to us
"the secret of his will which he hath purposed in himself: that in the economy of the fulness of the times he would reduce under one head (anakephalaiosasthai) all things unto Christ, both the things in the heavens, and the things in the earth under him."
Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, May 1851
Two things must strike the reflective reader in connection with the work upon which Christ sent forth the apostles in the address considered in the last chapter.
The first is, that fishermen, "ignorant and unlearned men" should have been chosen for it; and the second is, that such men should have succeeded. Both facts powerfully yield the one conclusion which is the all important one in the case, namely, that the work was in no sense of human contrivance, but was purely divine and true.
A human enterprise would have laid hold of men of position, education and influence -- men that were "somebody" and likely to throw some weight into the scale.
A new principle of choice was at work in the selection of the humblest class in the community.The reasons leading to such a choice have been looked at. Such reasons could only operate where God was at work. It never occurs to man -- it could not in the nature of things occur to man -- to make use of instruments likely to be uninfluential with men.
The apostles were such. And that such men should have succeeded both in obtaining a hearing, and in producing conviction among thousands everywhere, not only in the absence of favourable conditions, but in the very face of every form of opposition which authority could offer, and influence could bring to bear, argues the possession by them of some weapon of argument altogether out of the category of error or imposture.
We examine the case, and find the all-sufficient weapon in the earnest testimony of personal knowledge, supported by miraculous co-operation. The men knew the truth of Christ's works, and afterwards the reality of His resurrection, and
"the Lord worked with them and confirmed their word with signs following."
These two things account for all. These two elements of their operation explain the character of their work and all the results that came from the efforts of ignorant and unlearned fishermen. In the absence of either of these elements, it is impossible to understand their work. Either of them denied involves the whole subject in a fog, and presents an impossible historical problem.
Both admitted, invest the whole work and word of Christ and His apostles with transparent light, and a magnitude of urgent personal importance that nothing can equal.
Nazareth Revisited Ch 24
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
" The constitution of Mount Sinai was the founding of the Hebrew world, or KOSMOS, because it ordered, or arranged, the things pertaining to Israel as a system SUI GENERIS. This system had times peculiar to itself, which were appointed at. the promulgation of the law. These are termed in Scripture AIONES, that is, AIONS, from AEI alway and ON passing. The etymology of AION does not express the duration of the time; its continuance is defined by the Mosaic law.
The Hebrew Commonwealth under the Sinaitic constitution was not intended to continue always. The time of its existence was predetermined of God, but not revealed in the law or the prophets, but "reserved in His own power" (Acts 1:7; Mark 13:32)#. It is termed AION, and its approaching termination SUNTELEIA TOU AIONOS the end of the time, that is, of the Hebrew Commonwealth under the Mosaic law.
But, though the precise duration of this great time (1697 years) was kept secret, the lesser times, or AIONES, aions, of which it was composed, were very minutely specified, as in the case of the Jubilees, so that the whole time of the commonwealth was the AION TON AIONON, the aion of the aions, the time of the times, or age of the ages. Hence, while the Lord Jesus designated the consummation as the end of the time, Paul indicated it as the end of the times, or ages.
Elpis Israel 2.1.
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
The cry for peace is a piece of ventriloquism emanating from the pocket. Their strongest argument against war is based upon its cost. The taxes are burdensome because of the extravagance and war-like habits of past governments. This pinches them in the iron chest, and diminishes the profits of trade, and curtails the means of indulging the lusts of their flesh, of their eyes, and the pride of life.
It is well these mammon-worshippers should feel the pinch. They are the enemies of God, and oblivious of His slaughtered saints; and, therefore, richly deserving of all the punishment the recklessness of "the powers" [Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:25; Luke 21:26; Rom. 13:1; Heb. 6:5] have entailed upon the world.
...The world wants peace, that it may find a respite from the judgments of God for its iniquity; and that it may enrich itself by commerce, and enjoy itself in all the good things of life.
Elpis Israel 1.4.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Whether Christ come to-morrow, or in a hundred years time. it is ours to patiently wait and watch. "What I say unto you I say unto all, watch!" It is easy to be deluded by the thought that watching is vain unless Christ come soon. Watching is as needful for those who have to die, as for those who have not to die.
Death is nothing more than an instantaneous introduction to the day to which the watching relates. In this connection think of two typical first century brethren: Paul and Demas. These both knew the truth; both commenced to watch; one continued to do so until he fell asleep in death; the other through love of the present evil world, forgot Christ and gave up watching.
Let us go forward to the time of their awaking. The angels awake them with the announcement that Christ is here, and calleth for them. Imagine the men! As they went off to sleep so they awake. Paul's mind is full of Christ, and is now overwhelmingly rejoiced that the day of waiting is over, and that the day for praise, honour, and salvation has actually come! As he is escorted to the judgment seat he is cheered and encouraged...
But what about Demas? He gave up watching, and now what?... hopeless anguish he realises his folly. He gave up watching, and now naught remains but a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation. Dear brethren, let us be wise. Are we watching?
To watch is to anticipate Christ's coming - to walk so that the announcement that Christ is here will not create confusion and alarm.
The Christadelphian, Sept 1894. p341.
32 But of that day [answering the disciples question concerning the destruction of the temple v3] and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
..the Father had not revealed it to him at that time, as He afterwards did." —(Rev. 1:1.)
How was he then the manifestation of God? Because he was begotten by the Spirit, which is God, and filled therewith at his baptism without measure. This did not involve the reflection to the Son of all that was in the Father. Jesus speaks of the Father reserving something in his own power.—(Acts 1:7.)
The manifestation of God in Jesus was not perfect in the days of his flesh. He was perfected the third day.—(Luke 13:32). Till then, it was limited. It existed only to the extent of the Father's intention. By the same Spirit, different manifestations take place according to His will.—(1 Cor. 12:4–11.)
In Jesus, the power, and wisdom, and character of the Eternal were exhibited or manifested, but not the nature.—(Rom. 1:3.) The nature was
"the seed of David according to the flesh."
... the Father was in him as behind a veil. In his death, the veil was torn, and after his resurrection, the divine glory shone forth without obstruction.
The Christadelphian, Oct 1870
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
...the Olivet discourse, while primarily intended for the information of the apostles, was useful, and in the sense hinted at, applicable to every generation of believers that should come after. Because of this it was placed on record by the Spirit of God long after its immediate purpose had been served, and it still answers its purpose.
Nazareth Revisited Ch 50
The cry of "peace and safety" (1 Thss 5: 3)
-the universal persistence in the habit of interpreting public events on purely natural principles, to the exclusion of the purpose of God from all recognition, will not delay for a single hour the advent of the terrible destruction from the Almighty; it will come whether men sleep or wake; neglect or consider.
In relation to the world it will come suddenly. To the sons of God, it will come as a welcome and long-looked-for deliverance. Ye are not in darkness, that that day should come upon you as a thief. Be strong, be vigilant. Our neighbours may laugh at our confidence and pity the fanaticism, as they regard it, that looks for these things; but, in truth, they themselves are the objects of true pity.
They are blind to what God has purposed and what God has revealed, and will be the victims of a helpless terror when the long-sleeping but approaching tempest of divine vengeance breaks forth upon the world, and sweeps away for ever the whole system of godless comfort in which men repose.
Our single anxiety, while the vision yet tarries, ought to be to keep ourselves apart from the universal unwisdom, not sleeping as do others, but keeping our eyes open to the solemn though invisible facts of the situation; that when they are no longer invisible, but the patent, terror-striking events of the hour, we may have a refuge in the haven of protection from which, after the storm, the saints will issue forth to bless the world with peace.
Seasons 1.64.
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.
And what I say unto you [disciples who also instructed that generation of Jewish believers], I say unto all [generations of believers to follow], Watch v37 [see Bro Robert's comments below]
v32-34. This falls into the explanation of the parable of the talents and the pounds, only that is intended to bear not so much on how the servants should be dealt with on the master's return, as on the need for their constant readiness on account of the uncertainty of the time of his return. The applicability of this has been direct to every generation of believers since Christ's departure, notwithstanding its special realization in that one that is actually contemporary with his appearing.
Always having in view that there is no conscious interval in death, and that the occurrence of death is an incalculable eventuality, there has always existed, and will to the last moment exist, a need for daily circumspection and readiness for the coming of the Lord.
There never can be a time when a man can reasonably feel that the coming of the Lord is a remote contingency. It never can be more remote from a man's consciousness than the day of his death, and because this may be any day, the shadow of the Lord's coming is over every hour of a man's present life. We are actually in the position sketched in this parable. We are exactly like servants who do not know when the master's wheels may roll up to the door. It is therefore no artificial or superfluous exhortation the Lord delivers when he says
"Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh."
Nazareth Revisited Ch 32
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
"BLESSED IS HE THAT WATCHES."
"The merchants of Tarshish and its young lions"
àare rousing Gog of the land of Magog, Rosh, the Prince of Mesech and Tubal in the east, to that sanguinary contest which God has declared shall ultimate in the overthrow of Gog and allies on the field of Armageddon.
Will you still continue indifferent to the signs of these times? Burden not yourselves, we beseech you, with the concerns of this life. Do not console yourselves because you may have goods laid up for many years; nor expend your energies in the endeavour to amass riches for yourselves and posterity. It is a vain consolation—a most unprofitable expenditure.
Be content with little; for the time is short, and the days are few and evil. For myself, I expect that if God grant me to share in the average duration of human life, I shall witness the winding-up of the "times of the Gentiles;" be my remaining years, however, many or few, the Scriptures teach me that I must be always prepared. A few years do not require much wealth, I, therefore, dismiss from my mind the desire of much.
Man's real wants are few and simple; why then should he burden himself with anxious cares. If we have much goods when our King comes in his glory, what shall we do with them? We are to be 'caught up:' to whom shall we leave them?
O what a simpleton man is! How grovelling, how prone to the earth! Let us use the world: let it be our servant. Be it our duty to escape from its pollutions, to live in the discharge of all our duties, and to be always expecting the revelation of the Lord of all things, in the effulgence of the Divine Majesty.—
Dr. Thomas (in 1838).
The Christadelphian, April 1873
37 And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.
.It is highly encouraging to see all these things steadily developing before our eyes. As some have remarked, we live almost in the age of sight instead of faith.
Dr. Thomas, somewhere in Eureka, expresses the opinion that the pre-adventural settlement of Israel in the Holy Land would be the result of an international arrangement among the Powers. It looks very like as if this might actually be realised.
Bro Roberts - "WATCHING & WAITING" - NOT FOR EVER
Such is Christ's command to everyone who comes within the sound of the truth. Paul reiterates the mind of Christ—"Let us watch." What is it to watch? It is not a mere passive looking, as a man looks from a window. It is a looking coupled with activity—it embraces waiting, expecting, preparing.
If Christ were to intimate that he would return in a month's time, what industry and zeal would be manifest—what a putting of our spiritual houses in order! We do well to remember that this is the attitude that Christ has bidden each of his servants to always maintain. They are ever to be on the alert—in a state of readiness.
The day of Christ's return is undoubtedly fast approaching. He may be here within a month, within a week! Are we ready for him?
"Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing."
If Christ at his coming should find us on our knees sincerely praying, "Thy Kingdom come," he will find us watching. But equally so will he find us watching if we are at work in the shop, office, or home, diligently shaping our ways as in his sight.
If, however, we are en-rapport with the world, delighting ourselves in its entertainments, or in the close companionship of Christ's enemies, or under the benumbing influence of strong drink, or absorbed in the cares and anxieties of this life, he will not find us watching but sleeping. Of such it is said,
"The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."
Bro AT Jannaway
The Christadelphian, Jan 1888