Read Mark 13:24-37

Read Mark 13:24-37

24 “In the days after that time of trouble the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, ²⁵the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. ²⁶Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷He will send the angels out to the four corners of the earth to gather God’s chosen people from one end of the world to the other.

28 “Let the fig tree teach you a lesson. When its branches become green and tender and it starts putting out leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to begin.^{u 30}Remember that all these things will happen before the people now living have all died. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

32 “No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows. ³³Be on watch, be alert, for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴It will be like a man who goes away from home on a journey and leaves his servants in charge, after giving to each one his own work to do and after telling the doorkeeper to keep watch. ³⁵Be on guard, then, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming—it might be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or at sunrise. ³⁶If he comes suddenly, he must not find you asleep. ³⁷What I say to you, then, I say to all: watch!”

Think

As we begin to prepare for Christmas we read the words of Jesus - towards the end of his life speaking about his second coming.

Pray

Lord, I don't know for certain what the future holds - but I know that you are in it.  So fill me with expectant hope I pray.

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24  13.24 a: Ez 32:7

²⁵ 13.25 a: Is 34:4; Rev 6:13
13.25 b: Jl 2:10

²⁶ 13.26: Dn 7:13; Rev 1:7

^u the time is near, ready to begin; or he is near, ready to come.

32  13.32: Mt 24:36

³⁴ 13.34: Lk 12:36–38