Read Mark 13:24-37
In Jesus’ day the world seemed concrete, dependable, and permanent. These days many people fear its destruction by nuclear war. Jesus tells us, however, that even if the earth passes away, the truth of His words will never be changed or abolished. God and His Word provide the only stability in our unstable world. How short sighted people are who spend all their time and energy learning about this temporary world and accumulating its possessions, while neglecting the Bible and its eternal truths.
When Jesus said that even He did not know the time of the end, He was affirming His humanity. Of course God the Father knows the time, and Jesus and the Father are one. But when Jesus became a man, He voluntarily gave up the unlimited uses of His divine attributes.
The emphasis of verse 32 is not on Jesus’ lack of knowledge, but rather on the fact that no one knows. It is God the Father’s secret to be revealed when He wills. No one can predict by Scripture or science the exact day of Jesus’ return. Jesus is teaching that preparation, not calculation, is needed.
Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, the purchase of a home. Do you place the same importance on preparing for Christ’s return, the most important event in your life? Its results will last for eternity. You dare not postpone your preparations because you do not know when His return will occur. The way to prepare is to study God’s Word and live by its instructions each day. Only then will you be ready.
This entire chapter tells us how to live while we wait for Christ’s return: 1) We are not to be misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations of what will happen. 2) We should not be afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they might say or do to us. 3) We must stand firm by faith and not be surprised by persecution. 4) We must be morally alert, obedient to the commands for living found in God’s Word. This chapter was not given to promote discussions on prophetic timetables but to stimulate right living for God in a world where He is largely ignored.