Scripture: Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us when will these things be and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name saying ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars do not be alarmed. This must take place but the end is not yet.” Mark 13:3-7
Observation: End time stuff—maybe the one subject that gets all our generation all aquiver. Why? Because it is a mystery and we all love mysteries…
But, without employing the guardrails that Jesus gives us, is pursuing this “mystery” healthy?
Application: “Do not be alarmed.” “Be on your guard.” “Do not be anxious.” “Keep awake.”
These warnings, directives, or imperatives in some sense are repeated approximately a dozen times in this chapter alone. Basically the Word of God is saying “Be aware, pay attention.”
There was a time in my life where I got into all of this stuff to map out the timelines, find the clues, break down current events, etc. and apply them to the subject of End Times. It was a lot of effort reading, going to conferences, buying books, and studying scripture.
I would say that it was somewhat profitable to learn to the extent that I gained knowledge—I wouldn’t do it differently. However I wonder what I missed in a prioritized way? I cannot beat myself up about that—I learned what God wanted me to learn I suppose.
So, a few decades later, what can I glean? Signs are just that—signs. Like billboards, we can be aware, be cognizant, but pay attention to the road that you are driving on. What day is The Day? We don’t know. I can add all the clues up, take the signs and pile them one on the other like a deck of cards, shuffle them, deal the cards and what do I get? Only the Father knows the day and time—not even the Son knows. So I think I can figure it out? Really?
Deuteronomy 29:29 (one of my go-to verses lately) says “The secret things belong to God…” and that He has revealed what He wants us to know and immerse ourselves in and pursue. Those things may not have “sizzle” like End Times stuff but they may be more profitable in living for the Kingdom and the Gospel.
My question above “…is pursuing this “mystery” healthy?” The extent of pursuit may call for employing a trusted friend to look over the shoulder to keep Jesus’ guardrails in place so as to keep it healthy and on the road to righteousness. Outside the guardrails there may be a cliff…
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I hope that I am adequately framing this subject up. I know what I have come to grips with in You concerning That Day. I am aware that if I read the Scriptures clinically and not try to fill in the gaps with my imagination, there are more things that cannot be answered that can.
I can’t say that I have completely arrived in this but it seems daily I am a little more comfortable with mystery in You. AMEN.