Jesus’ Teachings Concerning His Return

THE committee which selects these international lesson topics made an unfortunate choice of caption for the subject matter discussed by Jesus in the Scripture passages assigned for today’s study. The subject suggested by the committee is, “Jesus’ Teaching on the Judgment,” but the texts assigned for the lesson have little or nothing to say about the judgment—at least, not when properly understood. They relate, rather, to the time and circumstances of Christ’s second advent, and how his people would discern the fact that he had returned.

The mistake of the lesson committee is the result of false notions concerning the manner and purpose of our Lord’s return. Briefly, this erroneous view is that the coming of Jesus at his second advent signals the end of time and the beginning of “eternity”—an eternity during which a few fortunate ones would be with Jesus in heaven, and all the rest of mankind suffering in hell. The separation of these two classes was thought to be the main purpose of Christ’s return, and it was to be accomplished in one twenty-four-hour day. It is true, of course, that the world’s judgment day does follow the second coming of Christ, but that is not the subject Jesus is discussing in the scriptures assigned for today’s lesson.

MARK 13:1, 2, 28-37—The two opening verses of this passage report a conversation between Jesus and his disciples as they left the temple after watching the rich and poor deposit money in the temple treasury, and his comment about the widow’s two mites. Up to this time the disciples expected that Jesus would set up a kingdom in Israel which would fulfill all the wonderful messianic promises of the Old Testament. They believed also that they would share with him in the glory of that kingdom.

They may have had this in mind when, in leaving the temple, they called the Master’s attention to its grandeur. Perhaps they thought that this wonderful temple would figure very prominently in connection with his new government and that soon they would be exercising considerable authority therein. How shocked they must have been when Jesus told them that the time would come when there would not be one stone left upon another in that beautiful temple!

Of necessity, however, this would cause the disciples to realize that there was something wrong with their expectations concerning Jesus and the work that he was destined to do, and later when they had an opportunity they questioned him about it. This was on the mount of Olives. Matthew’s account informs us that they asked Jesus, “When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming [parousia, presence], and of the end of the world [aion, age]?” (Matt. 24:3) Mark reports it thus: “What shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?”—Mark 13:4

Apparently they were beginning to realize that Jesus would leave them and would return at the end of an age, and that not until then would he set up his kingdom. Having grasped this thought—even though vaguely—they were interested in learning all they could as to when they might expect the Master’s return. They believed, of course, that it would be within their own lifetime. Because of this, they associated the prophesied destruction of the temple with Jesus’ return, or, at least, they expected that the one event would follow the other without a great lapse of time.

Jesus’ reply to these questions gave consideration to both the time and the signs of his second presence, because they had asked “when” these things would be, and how they would know. As for the time, he made it plain that they could not know this in advance—“but of that day and that hour knoweth no man.” (Verse 32) A much wider meaning has been attached to this statement than Jesus’ words warrant, for they have been taken to mean that there is no point at all in being interested in the time features of the divine plan. But this is not the thought.

Jesus also said that the angels did not know the time of his return, and then added, “neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32; Matt. 22:36) From this we see that even Jesus himself did not know at that time the date of his second advent; that this was still a secret known only to his Heavenly Father. But this does not prove that Jesus would never know, and likewise, the text does not prove that his followers should take no interest in the matter.

“What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Verse 37) The obvious conclusion to be reached from this admonition is that at the time of our Lord’s return, the faithful watchers would be rewarded with a knowledge of his presence, while others would be left in darkness. Jesus did not say that by watching, his people would discover the time of his arrival in advance, although there were to be signs to indicate that his coming was near.

Closely associated with the return and second presence of Christ is the establishment of his kingdom, for this is one of the objects of his return; and the parable of the fig tree is particularly concerned with the kingdom. Mark’s account tells us that when we see the fig tree putting forth her leaves, then we could be sure that “it” was near, “even at the doors.” Some have argued that the pronoun “he” should have been used here, and that the fig-tree sign would be one of the proofs of the near coming of the Lord rather than a sign which would become visible during the time of his presence.

Luke’s account of this same statement, however, leaves no doubt about its meaning. Instead of abbreviating the Master’s words by the use of a pronoun, Luke gives us the full thought, using the expression, “the kingdom of God,” instead of the pronoun “it.” (Luke 21:31) When we understand properly the manner and purpose of our Lord’s return and second presence, we realize that signs which prove his presence also prove that the manifestation of his kingdom is near.

Students of prophecy have long understood that the fig-tree parable relates to the regathering of Israel in preparation for them to be among the first to receive kingdom blessings. No one should have difficulty now in seeing that the “fig tree” is putting forth its leaves. And how wonderful it is to be living at this end of the age, when this great prophecy of our Lord’s is being fulfilled.

QUESTIONS

What may have caused the disciples to be so interested in the beauty of the temple?

Should the Lord’s people be interested in the times and seasons of the divine plan?

To what does the fig-tree sign particularly relate?

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