Mark 13:14-23

Mark 13:14-23  “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong — let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out.  Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!  Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now — and never to be equaled again.  If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive.  But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.  At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect — if that were possible.  So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.   

The eschatology (end time theology) of the above scriptures is something theologians like to delve into and argue over, but for me these scriptures  just mean that the end of time will come during a period of excruciating events.  I am not sure many of us will be able to accurately discern the times of the end.  During my lifetime many theologians at various times have predicted that we were finally living in the very last days.  Many sermons elucidated why Hitler, Stalin, or even Roosevelt had to be the Antichrist.  Some even put President Kennedy in that position because he was our first Catholic president.  In recent history, World War II, the communist take over of China, the Jews being restored to their land, the Soviet Union hegemony, the European Union, and now the rise of the Muslim world, all have spawned many wonderful last-days sermons.  However, I really think Christians should be more concerned about their daily walk in their short lives rather than whether Jesus will return in their lifetimes.  

To me there are a couple of sentences in the above passage that jump out, for they reflect the seriousness of the situation for anyone who lives in those final days before Christ returns.  Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out.  Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.  Those scriptures are instructive, for everyone's life, even TODAY.  We should live our lives so we don't feel we have to go back for anything.  Death for all of us Christians is the second coming of Christ.  We will close our eyes, and then we will be with him.  It doesn't even matter if you believe in a death sleep or an immediate homecoming, you will be with Christ instantaneously, for time ceases in death.  Our lives should be so lived that in our final days we don't mentally or emotionally need to go back into our houses for anything.  We should be at peace with our children, with our loved ones, with our community of believers.  We should not have our cloaks still out in the world--still in need of making things right.  

Our deaths will probably precede the final days about which Jesus was talking.  Jesus said to each of us be on your guard about your final days.  For sure, don't follow any other Christ but the one that has already been revealed.  Don't follow any other doctrine than that of John 3:16.  And definitely remember that Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  (Acts 4:12)  Be ready is the clarion call.  Even during the best of times, life can be scary.  None of us knows the day or hour when our lives will end.  Therefore, if there are things that we should repent of, repent.  If there are any people we need to see and say we love them, do it.  If there are any unsettled disputes hanging out there, resolve them.  Make yourself ready in the flesh while you still have time.  Now in the spirit, in Christ, you are always ready, for He has completed the work.  Even if you didn't make it to the mountains to find rescue, you are ready.  But for us who are living now, it is the final days.  We should always have our lives ready to meet him, for we live in our final days every day.  So keep your lamps burning and always be looking for his glorious appearing in the air, but know for sure, the Master will come.  He might come to you in the air or in death, but He will come.  Praise the holy and wonderful name of the Lord!