Faith for Uncertain Times

KEY VERSE: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” —Mark 13:31

SELECTED SCRIPTURES: Mark 13:1-7,24,27,31-35

MARK’S ACCOUNT DRAWS attention to the great events that would take place during this present Gospel Age, the nearly two-thousand year period between the First and Second Advents of our Lord Jesus. The Early Church lived in faithful expectation of our Lord’s promised return, but over the course of time many lost sight of the prospect. At the end of this age, however, that hope was again revived by those faithful watchers who studied the prophecies in God’s Word.

In anticipation of that promise the Apostle Paul cautioned the Thessalonian brethren “that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” (II Thess. 2:2) It was a common basis of faith that the Lord would return some day, but the length of time was wisely concealed by God. Again, as Paul’s ministry drew to a close he wrote to Timothy and said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”—II Tim. 4:8

A few of Jesus’ disciples came and asked him the meaning of some of the prophecies he was speaking about. They said: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4) He then briefly, as recorded by Mark, outlined the events that would transpire during the intervening age. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”—vs. 32

At the time Jesus spoke these words the Heavenly Father alone knew the exact length of the Gospel Age. Now, at the end of this period, these remarkable prophecies have been revealed to the Lord’s people who are continuing to watch the events that mark the end of this age.

They hear the admonition of the Master who said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (vs. 33) Any who have been alert to the sure word of prophecy have been richly blessed by the Word of truth!

Those who are vigilant note the signs of the impending conclusion of the age. They also seek understanding through prayer, strive to keep their hearts in a humble and teachable condition, and feed upon spiritual food from God’s great storehouse of truth. Jesus said, “The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”—vs. 34

Jesus tells us, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (vss. 35-37) During the long centuries of the Gospel Age, many of the Lord’s people became lethargic. But near the end of the 19th century, the time had come to fulfill the prophecy! (Matt. 24:44,45) What a blessing for God’s people!

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