Mark 13:5 and 31 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” … “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

One day as Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples pointed out the magnificence of some of the buildings around them. In response Jesus remarked: “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another, everyone will be thrown down.”  Can you imagine their surprise? Later, four of Jesus’ disciples – Peter, James, John and Andrew – took Jesus aside and said “Tell us, when will these things happen?  And what will be the sign they are all about to be fulfilled?”

Jesus launched into a description of the signs that would characterize the end of time and concluded by saying: “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (Mark 13:37). Are you a believer? I don’t just mean are you saved? Do you believe what Jesus said? Are you watching? Have you allowed yourself to mentally let go of the things of earth, and heeded the call to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” What does that mean for you?  Let us never allow ourselves to become complacent or imagine that the current order of things will remain as they are. After reading Mark 13, the Holy Spirit assured me:

“These are the great mysteries of God. Some things he has kept for himself. Some things are revealed in great detail. But be not misled, he will in due time reveal all things and his plans will unfold in his time and with speed. The duty of believers is to hold fast to every word that is plainly written in his Word. Be not influenced by things of the earth and the world to the point where you become so wrapped up in them that you fail to keep looking up and looking forward to the great and glorious day of your redemption. Believers are not to conform and be misled by the standards of earth.”