Bitesize Bible Commentary:
Mark
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Mark 13:26-37
Jesus, after outlining what will happen before he returns (Mark 13:1-25), speaks of what will happen when he returns. The words of Jesus as recorded by Mark can be formulated into two helpful warnings. First, Jesus says that no one will know the exact time and date of his return. This knowledge belongs to the Father and will not be revealed to any group or person. Second, Jesus says that his return will be a public event that all will see. Jesus will appear with the angels and upon the clouds and will gather his elect (Daniel 7:13-14). Christians should therefore avoid those who claim to have received a revelation or have knowledge of when Jesus will return as well as those who say that Jesus has come back secretly or in a different form. Unfortunately, and as Jesus predicted (Mark 13:5-6 & 13:22-23), many have been deceived in each of these areas. In addition to ‘no one knows’ and ‘all will see’, Jesus says that his people live within a common household, the household of God, and that each person has been given their assigned task in their master’s absence. It is important that Christians remain within the household of God and are busy living lives that glorify God as they wait for Jesus to return at an unsuspecting hour. This is summarised in the admonition of Jesus to stay awake and watch carefully, and the only indication of when Jesus will return are the signs outlined in Mark 13:1-25 which Jesus compares to a tree sprouting leaves as summer approaches.
It is significant that nothing special or unique will take place between the First Coming and the Second Coming of Jesus. All that will happen during this period is that Jesus will be working for the salvation of humanity through his Church and by his Spirit. This means that Christians can confidently reject claims that God has called a new prophet or revealed a new book or established a new church/religion. In Christ, we have God’s full and final revelation to humanity and nothing more is needed or required until Jesus returns (Hebrews 1:1-4). Our job is to remain rooted in his Church and be receptive to his Spirit and allow God to work through us for His glory.