What If There Was No End? (Mark 13:28-37)

In Mark 13:28-37 Jesus finishes his Olivet discourse and his discussion of the End Times. He never gives an answer to the timing of the End, but he does give insight into how we should live in light of it.

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Fig Tree

Jesus says “this generation” will not pass away until “all these things take place” – referring to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Some critics misinterpret this passage and minimize the power of God’s word. 

Mark 13:28-31 (NLT) “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

• Fig tree
• New life, spring time. Hope is in the air.
• (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) In Palestine most trees remain green throughout the year, but the fig tree is an exception. In the fall it loses its leaves; and when in the spring the sap rises in its branches and the tree begins to leaf out, summer cannot be far off. This parable is essentially an antidote to despair. In contrast to the sufferings and persecutions promised in the previous verses, here the prospect of the coming of the Son of Man is offered.
• This generation?
• (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) The chief problem in this verse is the identification of "these things." Do they refer to the events surrounding the fall of the city of Jerusalem or to the events immediately preceding the end of the age? If (as seems likely) that phrase relates to "all these things" in v.30, then Jesus appears to be referring to the former; those listening to him would experience these signs in a special way when Jerusalem fell.
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The "'generation [that will not] pass away until all these things have happened'" (v. 30) has stirred no little controversy in NT theology. According to our interpretation, the generation under discussion is not that of the Second Coming, but the generation contemporary to Jesus that lived to witness the destruction of the temple and fall of Jerusalem.
• My words
• Isaiah 40:8 (NLT) The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Here is an important key to the eschatological predictions of Mark 13, for if Jesus' words will outlive the cosmos, then the world to come is already present in them. The Word made flesh is thus inextricably related to the Son of Man who comes on the clouds of heaven. If in Mark 13 the events associated with the Incarnation are blended mysteriously with those of the Parousia – events which to our way of thinking are entirely separate – it may help to remember that in God's saving plan the Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and Parousia are all facets of one Event.

Stay Alert

Jesus himself didn’t know when the End would come – proof that in his incarnation he gave up the full exercise of his divine attributes. And since we can’t know either, we need to be ready at any moment. 

Mark 13:32-33 (NLT) “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!”

• Not even the Son?!
• (Expositor's Bible Commentary: Abridged Edition (2 Volumes)) Jesus' ignorance of the day or hour of his return must be understood in terms of the NT teaching concerning the Incarnation. A genuine Incarnation involved such a lack of knowledge. Jesus purposely laid aside temporarily the exercise of his omniscience as part of what was involved in his becoming a human being.
• Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
• Stay alert
• Q. How would you live if you knew Jesus wouldn’t come back in your lifetime?
• If we knew the day and time, we might get lazy and off mission.

Mark 13:34-37 (NLT) “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The Olivet discourse concludes on a note of mystery. When reviewing chap. 13 as a whole this may seem disappointing, for the discourse began with a request for a sign (v. 4), i.e., for special insight into the future. But we learn in conclusion that knowledge of the End exceeds knowability: not only human and angelic knowability, but even the knowability of the Son of God. Its sudden consummation is hidden solely in the mystery of God. All the signs that have been given add up to one conclusion: the End cannot be prepared for. That is because the End is ultimately not a "then," but a mysteriously present now. The sole preparation for the End is watchfulness and faithfulness in the present.

Still Waiting

Peter gives us insight into why Jesus hasn’t come back yet. He’s being patient with us, giving everyone a chance to turn to God before the End comes. 

• 2 Peter 3:9-10 (NLT) The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
• 2 Peter 3:11, 14-15 (NLT) Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along…. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.  

Close

Point

• Mark 1:1 (NLT) This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
• Mark 1:15 (NLT) “The time promised by God has come at last!” Jesus announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Are you ready for the End? Do you need to trust Jesus for salvation? Learn all about it in our Pursuit series. Find it at pursueGOD.org/go and go through it with a friend.