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Mark 13:26-33

“26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And He will send out His angels to gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 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. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear.

32 “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. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!”

There was a time when people mocked the Words of Jesus noted above because they said, “It’s utterly impossible for everyone on the planet to see something at the same time. This proves the Bible isn’t true.”

However, today, people in the Borneo can see the same thing happening at the same time in New York City. Fiber optics have made this a reality.

In the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells of the signs that will take place heralding His Second Coming. Israel becoming a nation again is one of those signs. The increase and celebration of wickedness on a global scale us another; earthquakes and famines and strange weather are also signs. These have been on the increase like never before in history. 

The increase of wars, hatred among nations, ethnic enmity, disregard for virtue and honor…all these point to the fact that time itself is winding down. Jesus Christ is coming again soon. No one knows the time, but the signs can be read.

As we come to the last Sunday in Advent, the last week before we celebrate Jesus’ first coming, we do well to love our neighbors enough to let them know that God loves them and does not want them to bear His wrath. Jesus has already born that on the Cross and they can receive the grace and forgiveness He offers as His gift of unending Love. “People get ready…there’s a train a’coming!”



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