Stay Alert: How Jesus Calls Us to Live While We Wait for His Return

Summary

Jesus warned His followers not to become obsessed with predicting the end times. Instead, He calls believers to stay watchful, resist deception, endure suffering, and share the gospel worldwide. Wars, disasters, and persecution are not signs to panic but reminders to remain faithful. The “abomination of desolation” will recur until the final Antichrist comes. Christ will return suddenly in power and glory, so Christians must live ready, actively serving Him until He comes.

A Misunderstood Question About the End

While Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem, one of His followers admired the Temple’s dazzling beauty. Jesus said it would be destroyed. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked when this would happen. What signs will precede it?

Some see in Jesus’ response a timetable to predict the return of Christ. That misses His point entirely. He challenges you to watch. That includes living like a Christian during times of distress and upheaval.

Stay Alert to Avoid Deception

Stay alert because you can be deceived (Mark 13:5-8). Jesus warned that some would come falsely claiming to be the Messiah. They will try to convince you that the time for watchfulness is past. He has not yet returned.

Trials Are Not the End

Wars and natural disasters are merely the beginning of birth pangs. They occur in every generation. They are not final signs of the end. “The end is still to come” (Mark 13:7 NIV).

Watchfulness Includes Endurance

Be watchful, for you may suffer for your faith (Mark 13:9-13). All the Twelve did except Judas. So did many early Christians. Christians around the world today suffer for their faith.

The Gospel Must Go to All Nations

Jesus said that before the end comes, “… the gospel must first be preached to all nations” (Mark 13:10 NIV). Do not look for the signs of the end. Get busy and spread the gospel.

Doing so increases the likelihood of persecution, especially in places where other religions dominate. Vital faith endures trials of every sort without folding. Those whose faith does not fail will be saved (Mark 13:13).

The Abomination of Desolation

Watch out for the abomination that causes desolation (Mark 13:14-23). It has multiple fulfillments. Antiochus Epiphanes profaned the altar of burnt offering in Jerusalem in 186 B.C. The Romans desecrated the Temple in A.D. 70.

The final abomination that causes desolation will feature the Anti-Christ. Such trying times will be fertile soil for the signs and miracles of those pretending to be Christ. Watch out. Do not be deceived.

Expect Christ’s Glorious Return

Watch out for Christ’s glorious return (Mark 13:24-37). It will be with power and great glory to gather His people from everywhere to always be with Him. You cannot accurately predict when Jesus will return (Mark 13:32-37). You must keep watching for Him.

Endure suffering, and you will reign with Jesus. If you disown Him, He will disown you (2 Timothy 2:12).

Live Like a Focused Athlete

You are like a football player during a game. Do not focus on the game clock. That is the coach’s concern. Your part is to go all out to throw the next pass, catch it, block, run with the ball, or tackle. Then, at the end of the game, you will not have to be ashamed. Be actively serving the Master when He returns. That is what faithful watchers do. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

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