Only the Father Knows

While in Brazil, and after returning I have heard many people interested in the end of days, the events leading up to the return of Jesus. People asked me questions, went to conferences, debated the subject, talked about "blood' moons, and related themes. While i freely concede that I have not studied this subject with the same depth and fervor which i have with other subjects, I have concern over the preoccupation of many. Throughout the history of the church there have been godly people in each generation who believed that theirs was the last one, and that they would see the return of Christ. In 1971, when I was introduced to Christ, we believed that He would return any second. We had one eye on our work and the other on the clouds. Granted that we are forty-four years closer to His return than we were then, I believe that we should examine the Scriptures to gain a true perspective. Jesus clearly says that only the Father knows the time of His return. Beginning in verse 19 of chapter 13 of Mark's gospel, Jesus speaks of unprecedented tribulation, false Christs. sun darkening, moon not giving light, stars falling. These are the heralds of His return. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." ( 13:32) Then He gives a very practical command. "Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is." ( Mark 13:33) Jesus is very clear. He says, "Watch and pray." He does not say to attempt to figure out the time of His return, "for you do not know when the time is." Paul addresses the same topic in 2 Thessalonians 2. After writing about the "man of sin," and a falling away, he speaks of the absolute necessity of loving and believing the truth ( verses 10,12, 13) Should we employ the time and energy that the Lord has given us to attempt to figure out a sequence of events, or should we be about the work that He has given us here- to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, and to surrender to the sanctification of the Holy Spirit? Consider verses 13-15. "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by our epistle." Jesus will return as He promised. Let us do the works He has prepared in advance for us to do ( Ephesians 2:10) rather than speculate about the future.