END TIMES

Don’t be caught napping

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“No one knows, so Watch!” Mark 13:28-37

When will these things happen? Not sure we can say for certain. All we know is that any one who thus far has proposed a specific timetable has been wrong. But Jesus gives us a general idea.


He uses the illustration of a fruit tree awakening from its winter sleep. As the sun returns with its light and warmth, the tree (identified as a fig) begins to leaf out. What does this signify? That summer is near.

In the same way, he says, when the things he has been talking about begin to happen, we can know that the time is near, very near, even knocking at our door. He narrows it down to a generation which will live to see the end. Of this he is certain, as certain as the word of the Son of God can be.


But the exact time and date? No one knows. Not any man. Not any angel in heaven. Not even Christ himself. Only God the Father knows. We are to take heed and pay attention. We are to watch and pray because we do not know when the time is.

Jesus compares himself to a man taking a long trip far away. While he is gone, he expects his people to be diligent about his business, to do the work he has given them to do, and to keep in touch so they will be aware of his arrival. So are we to be watchful. We are not sure when he will arrive. His plane might be delayed or traffic is a mess. He could come at any hour of the day. Just don’t be caught sleeping when he’s expecting to be met at the gate.


Third time is a charm. Jesus cannot stress this enough:

  • v.33 Take heed, watch and pray
  • v.35 Watch therefore
  • v.37 I say to all: Watch!

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

Coming soon

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October 12, 2023

“…with great power and glory.” Mark 13:24-27

Tough times are coming. The terrible events that Jesus speaks of were given as prophecy but sound a lot like the news headlines of our present day. I suppose all generations faced with such terror and destruction have seen their day in the same way. They wonder with us, Is this it, Lord?

But there is more to come. Things not related to “man’s inhumanity to man” but to natural events that are beyond any storm, earthquake or volcanic inferno anyone has ever witnessed. Things that are not confined to our puny planet. Jesus outlines four cataclysmic events:

  • The sun shall be darkened
  • The moon shall not give her light
  • The stars of heaven shall fall
  • The powers that are in heaven shall be shaken

The first three might be explained in terms of rare but not uncommon astronomical events, such as solar and lunar eclipses or meteor showers. But Jesus gives these as a signal that something else is about to occur. They must be significant enough events that will attract attention. Ones that astronomers will not be able to comprehend.


Science has recognized the clockwork precision by which the universe runs (but, alas, not the Source of that mechanism). What if that clock suddenly burst into a mass of flying gears, axles and springs?

As we develop telescopes that peer deeper and deeper into space, we uncover more questions than answers. Assumptions on how the universe began and continues are being shaken. We are now encountering light rays from the beginning of the universe. We know less than we thought and what we thought we knew is being tossed into the nearest black hole. Is the universe as stable as we hope it to be?


These events that Jesus describes may not last long enough for any explanations to be attempted. Their only purpose is to herald the next big event: Then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.


No one will have a chance to ask: What caused this? How did this happen? Why didn’t we see it coming? The coming of Jesus in the clouds will be absolutely overwhelming. It will push out all other thoughts and concerns. This is it. It has finally happened!


The angels will come and swiftly gather up those who have kept their faith, those who have held true to the Lord. None will be missed or lost in the ruins. God will be faithful as he always has been. It will be time for eternity to begin as those former things pass away.

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

Run!

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“But when ye shall see…” Mark 13:14-20

The disciples’ original question was “when will these things happen” and “how will we know when”. Now Jesus gives them the answer: when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not. This is not new information. They know their prophecy. That is why they were alert when Jesus appeared on the scene. He reminds them that this is the same thing the prophet Daniel has warned them about.

What is the abomination of desolation? Is it a person? A spirit? The antichrist? Not sure I can answer that satisfactorily here. It is described in the strongest of terms. An abomination is something detestable, filthy, disgusting. In biblical thought it often refers to idolatry. To desolate is to stun, stupefy, appall, devastate, to lay waste. Not the sort of thing any person would look forward to, even if it is a sign of the Lord’s coming.

Take inventory: how many things are going on in the world today that were not spoken of even a few years ago? I’m not suggesting a “frog in the pot” approach where we slowly become accustomed to strange new ideas. These things seem to happen after a few hints then are suddenly upon us in full force. Anyone standing in the way is destroyed. All you need do to realize this is to watch the news. But something worse is coming. Worse than anything anyone has experienced before.

Jesus provides a very practical response. In fact, it is not spiritual at all. He just says, Run. Did you get that? RUN! Don’t stop to take anything with you. Pray for help and protection, but go! Things will get so bad, that God will have to intervene to prevent the total annihilation of all flesh.

We aren’t given times and dates and checklists to figure this out. For Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it will be a gut-level response. It will be overwhelming revulsion; a sickening sense of helplessness and hopelessness on the deepest spiritual level. Everything of God that is good and true will be rejected horribly. But do not despair. Just get away. Jesus is coming and coming quickly.

Copyright 2022 David J. Cooley

With friends like these

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“…the one who endures to the end will be saved. ” Mark 13:9-13 ESV

There’s an old song that goes something like this: “you only hurt the one you love.” Another way to look at it is: you can only be hurt by those you love, those whom you’ve let into your life, cared for, and nurtured. These are the ones Jesus brings up now in his discussion of the times of the end on the Mount of Olives.

Mark starts off by saying “they” will turn you over to the authorities, both religious and civil. These authorities think they have you on trial, but God sees it the other way around. They are on trial and you are the star witness.

So who are the “they” that Mark mentions? Those who are near and dear to you. Brothers, fathers, sons. Children will rise up against their parents. No one wants to be betrayed, but the betrayal of a friend stings worse than the worst an enemy can do.

The stakes are high – beatings and death. But the threat that you pose as a believer in Jesus Christ is so extreme that they can justify it. The real offense is Him. Anything that reminds them of Him must be eliminated and they will stop at nothing to accomplish it. It may be organized and systematic. It may be utter chaos, boiling with mob-driven rioting. It doesn’t matter. They will come for you.

How do you defend yourself against such frenzy? You don’t. First, you must be smart. Stay on your guard. Don’t be tricked into sacrificing yourself needlessly. Then when they haul you before the judge, don’t panic. Don’t worry about what to say. Jesus is on trial, not you. He will provide the words. His Holy Spirit will speak through you.

Thankfully, we are not yet faced with such wide scale opposition, but it is beginning to happen. There is still time and opportunity to accomplish our mission: spreading the good news. This is our first priority and the focus of our energies and efforts. This race may be long and arduous, but run it to the finish.

Alarming and disquieting events

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“…ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars…” Mark 13:7, 8

What were the questions the disciples asked Jesus? “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 3:4). When and when. Hearing about the destruction of the temple brought to their minds all sorts of catastrophic prophecies they have heard. They compiled these together and came to a single conclusion: THE END IS NEAR.

But so far Jesus hasn’t given much insight as to when. He’s already warned them against deception. Now he speaks of wars. He says they will hear of wars and reports (or rumors) of wars. He doesn’t deny they’re coming. He doesn’t warn against spreading unverified information. Instead he tells them not to be troubled when they hear of them. They’re going to happen. There’s no stopping them. Of course we should be concerned for the victims of war, but keep your head.

Bad times tempt people to fear the world is falling apart. It doesn’t matter if it’s a military uprising, political manipulation or an economic upheaval. It could be social unrest or the mass undermining of morality. We tend to put ourselves in the same rut, declaring again and again: THE END IS NEAR.

Jesus demands a different conclusion: The end is not here yet. He repeats himself in verse eight, expanding on what he said in verse seven. Still no hint of when. Just an indication that these kinds of events will be the beginning of sorrows. And in the following verses he gives some clear ideas of what form these sorrows will take (stay tuned).

So, the disciples have received two items of instruction thus far: 1) Don’t be deceived, even by those who claim to come in his name; and 2) The end will not be heralded by big headlines in the evening news. They are bound to happen as a matter of course. The end is not yet. And the clear implication is that he’s already told us what business (preaching the Good News) we are to occupy our time with. So keep at it.

What’s that commotion?

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But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions… (Luke 21:9 KJV)

Sometimes when children are put to bed they furtively whisper, laugh and giggle instead of going to sleep. And parents may confront them with “What’s all that commotion in there?” But our use of the word in that way is a mere shadow of it’s actual meaning.

Merriam-Webster gives the primary definition of commotion as “a condition of civil unrest or insurrection.” Luke could not have picked a better word to describe our current events as he relates what Jesus had to say about the approach of the end times. More often we remember Mark and Matthew’s rendition of “wars and rumors of wars.” But Luke has hit upon something that is much closer to home.

The modern translations give a broader sense of what is in mind: revolts, uprisings, disturbances, tumults. One scholar calls it simply disorder, as opposed to peace, which is the order of God.

There is no need to list specific events as examples of this commotion. The riots, demonstrations, confusion, deception, corruption, violence and even mass killings of today will give way to other unthinkable means of disorder tomorrow.

As horrible as these things may be and might become, Jesus says “be not terrified.” They are merely signposts of what lies over the horizon. The end will not come until later. There is still time for the Lord to complete his purposes; still time for him to comfort, strengthen and save all who come to him.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV