Watch Out! Series

WATCH OUT (MARK 13)

Christians are often confronted with apocalyptic, millennial and eschatological expectations whenever a disaster occurs. On the morning of 9/11, a relative called from overseas, asked if we were alright and eventually ended the call with a sigh and an exclamation: “This is the end of the world!” When gas shot over US$2.50 in 2005, I asserted the same thing. Nobody has done more to stroke this state of unease than Hal Lindsey, the popular writer of the 70’s bestseller “The Late Great Planet Earth” who suggested that Christ would return in 1988. On when Jesus was "at the door" ready to return, Lindsey predicts: "Within forty years or so of 1948, all these things could take place. Many scholars who have studied Bible prophecy all their lives believe that is so." (Late Great Planet Earth, p 54) San Antonio pastor John Hagee said sensationally, “I believe Word War III actually began September 11, 2001.”

On one occasion, Jesus shockingly predicted the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, which occurred later in A.D. 70, but yet warned the disciples against gossip and guesswork before His return. He revealed that widespread and intense persecution signals His return and that He will return in a great and glorious fashion. Jesus repeated the verb “Watch out” or “Be on guard” four times to drum the thought into them (vv 5, 9, 23, 33).

What are the signs of Christ’s return? When will it occur? How should we be prepared?

It Will be Weirder Like Never Before

5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. (Mark 13:5-8)

The first thing to guard against is false claims, false Christs and false prophets that will turn the teaching of Jesus’ return to their advantage, make the occasion a media circus, and cause confusion among believers. The interval before Jesus’ return is, first of all, a period of spiritual activity, ambiguity and apostasy. Contrary to doomsayers’ prediction, the advance of science, technology and modernity in the new millennium did not, has not and will not signal the death of religion, but progress coincides with the resurgence of religion. Your father’s old religion, however, will be replaced. The new brand of religion will be increasingly more sensational. Its sensational claims will result in a strong debate on theology, doctrine and orthodoxy. False teachers will be plentiful, their books will be bestsellers and their adherents, converts and supporters will be numerous at the end times. Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (v 5) The verb “watch out” (v 5) is an imperative four times over in the chapter (vv 5, 9, 23, 33), the most repeated verb in the chapter. The obvious target of these charismatic, affable and eloquent false teachers is Christians. Christians are naïve people. They are willing to listen, quick to believe and easy to fool. They easily fall prey to spiritual jargon, psycho- babble and emotional appeal.

The small church I led in the States has seen its fair share of visitors with cultic personalities, practices and profiles. One claimed the gift of discerning hidden sin and the power to read people’s past, but the catch was that believers have to surrender themselves conditionally to him who has the exclusive power to heal or deliver them. He visited church members one by one to confront them of their sin. His license credentials, reasonable deductions and emotional care wore down most resistance. Any hint of insubordination to his authority was dealt with mercilessly, any dispute provoked anger in him and any person who challenged him was labeled unspiritual. Technically, he operated like an unlicensed therapist, a fortune teller and a snake-oil salesman.

The supporters of this man were also hard to deal with. They ascribed to him unparalleled powers, elevated him to unknown heights and volunteered unbiblical and unhealthy submission to him. His followers gladly served lunch to his family during church luncheon, a privilege I do not recall having or asking! Worse, the leader did not object to all the attention and fuss.

Watch out for false Christs and prophets, Jesus said. They are predators, wolves, and cobras who cleverly smell and heartlessly strike lonely, neglected, isolated, needy or insecure people. The worst is the divisiveness that can happen to the church. Not only does it consume your time, people’s feelings could get hurt.

The purpose clause (hina subjunctive) deceive (v 5) means feed error (Mt 22:29), mistakes (Mark 12:27) or inaccuracies. The word “he” is not in verse 6 of the Greek text. Consequently, false teachers do not claim “I am he” (“I am she” nowadays). They claim Jesus’ great “I AM” name. Cult leaders or false teachers are usually control freaks who claim power that is not theirs and draw people to themselves and not God. They do a lot of damage in Jesus’ name and in the guise of Christianity. They are usually unlicensed, unordained and unchurched. Often, they have no, little, poor or unfinished seminary training, and they have a history of problems attending, serving, or pastoring a church. The sad state of affairs in Christianity is that too many ministers are licensed and ordained not by a denomination, which has stricter policies, but by independent, obscure groups and leaders. The mushrooming of seminary mills does not help either.