“Keep Awake”
1. The text comes from a response after the disciples Peter, James, John, and Andrew After learning that the temple will be destroyed, they ask, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?" (vv. 2-4).
The disciples are told repeatedly told to "beware," "be alert," "keep alert" and "keep awake"
They are told about things that might lead them astray messianic pretenders, recurring events such as wars and earthquakes and the suffering associated with "the desolating sacrilege “or abominations “desecration of the temple”
2. The Text describes great disturbances that will come to pass
• The Constance of the Sun and moon will be altered Instead, vs 24-25 "the sun will be darkened, / and the moon will not give its light, / and the stars will be falling from heaven"
• The Disturbance will reach Heaven "25the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
• The Disturbance pictures a tremendous time of upheaval
3. The Text describes a disturbance amongst the Political Entities, Powerful Monarchs
• 26"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory"the Son of Man" will be "given dominion and glory and kingship" not Political entities
• With his coming, fortunes will be reversed, because "he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds" (v. 27).
• those not led astray -- who were formerly scattered, will now be reunited under the sovereignty of "the Son of Man" who has the authority to disrupt the heavens and shake oppressive and self-serving earthly regimes
•
4. The text offers us another Disturbance it is the Proximity of the Day of the Lord
• Metaphor of the fig tree illustrates the proximity of "these things." Jesus says to his disciples, "28"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. When you see these things taking place, you know that it is near even at the door" (v. 29).
• Nearness is further stressed in verse 30 when he says, "Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place."
• The certainty that "these things" will happen, Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away"
•
5. Mark also claims there will be yet another Disturbance “You need to be Ready “
• Jesus' teaches repeatedly emphasizing the need for disciples to be alert, awake or on watch. . 33Be on guard! Be alertF! You do not know when that time will come.
• You need to be ready for you don’t know He writes, "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (v. 32).
• "The time" is any time when a disciple faces a test or trial, be it messianic imposters, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, the profaning of the temple or even "the Son of Man coming in clouds." You need to be ready”
•
6. Mark illustrates his point with a brief parable yet one final disturbance stay “Awake”
• "It is like a man going on a journey ..." who gives directives to his slaves and orders the doorkeeper to watch. Why? Simply put, the master will return at a time that "you do not know" (v. 35).
• "Therefore, keep awake ... or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly"
• In plain language, if a disciple falls asleep, then he or she has not endured to the end and thus will not be saved or gathered along with the elect (cf. 13:13, 27).
• Finally, and to leave no doubt regarding Jesus' point as well as his own, Mark wants his readers to understand (cf. 14), accept and adopt the following maxim, "And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake" (v. 37).
