27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Message: Within A Generation
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus is speaking of the future as he delivers what is now been called the Olivet Discourse. The language here can be difficult at times to comprehend, as far as exactly the events that Jesus is predicting and their timing. Up to this point much has been thought to occur by AD 70 which is the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and then the wiping out of the Jewish Nation and how it will be replaced with the Gospel Church following Christ's substitution death on the Cross at Calvary.
Perhaps the best way to interpret the previous passage - 13:24-26 is to say that it is simply the change from one era to another. Figurative, apocalyptic language is being used and often this language refers to falls of empires in the Bible and beginnings of new empires. So rather than thinking that in verse 26 it states that Jesus is coming in the clouds and this means His Second Coming it refers to him coming as the Messiah and the Jewish nation understanding this, for the first time. Jesus has come. Jesus is here. God to the earth. God to the whole world. Thus the destruction of the Jewish temple in AD 70 meant that the times of the Jews ended. Jesus told them to flee from Jerusalem immediately and thus flee from what they have known all along. And now salvation will come to all, but namely the Gentiles realizing that Salvation has come to the Jews. But Jesus has been stating and sort of judging the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem for not allowing the Gentiles to be welcomed into the temple. His death on the cross forces this to occur and the destruction of the temple is another way that it ushers in a new era.
And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. This is perhaps that now that Jerusalem is broken up, churches will be formed and planted among the Gentiles, to the uttermost parts of the earth, the globe.
He then brings up the fig tree again. He came upon the fig tree as He entered Jerusalem, and seeing its leaves he expected fruit, but in fact saw none, so he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit. But now He brings a different message from the fig tree. The messages here is as soon as the disciples perceived the signs of Christ's coming, they were to learn that he was close at hand, as certainly as the ripening fruit of the fig tree showed that summer was at hand. And then this statement this generation will not pass away until all these things take place speaks to the fact that this Olivet Discourse is fulfilled in this generation, thus by AD 70 and the passage seems to signify events that are taking place now. The temple will be destroyed and then the church will be sent out from Jerusalem, to the earth. All would be fulfilled in the 1st century.
Then Jesus provides the strongest language stating that his words, his mission, his plan is not temporary, but eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. He utters his divine authority here. Cambridge Bible Commentary states - But as we look across the centuries we see how it has been realized. His words have passed into laws, they have passed into doctrines, they have passed into proverbs, they have passed into consolations, but they have never “passed away.” What human teacher ever dared to claim an eternity for his words?
Summary - This has been a difficult text at times, but the Olivet Discourse predicts a time that is coming and Jesus is wanting to ease the minds of his disciples and followers. They are not to be frightened, but confident in the future. His message is not temporal. It will go forth to the ends of the earth. His gospel message will be proclaimed and churches will be planted. Man-made institutions will pass away but His Truth, His Words will never pass away.
Promise: We are to take the gospel to all peoples.
Prayer: Lord, I try to learn and study these truths somewhat quickly, in a morning right now and yet Your Words speak of eternity and Your plan forever. You Lord are on the throne and I can always trust in You and depend on You. Continue to help me encourage others and be a light in people's lives. Thank you for the promise of Your kingdom. Continue to give me understanding of your words as I read them and illuminate me.
And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. This is perhaps that now that Jerusalem is broken up, churches will be formed and planted among the Gentiles, to the uttermost parts of the earth, the globe.
He then brings up the fig tree again. He came upon the fig tree as He entered Jerusalem, and seeing its leaves he expected fruit, but in fact saw none, so he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit. But now He brings a different message from the fig tree. The messages here is as soon as the disciples perceived the signs of Christ's coming, they were to learn that he was close at hand, as certainly as the ripening fruit of the fig tree showed that summer was at hand. And then this statement this generation will not pass away until all these things take place speaks to the fact that this Olivet Discourse is fulfilled in this generation, thus by AD 70 and the passage seems to signify events that are taking place now. The temple will be destroyed and then the church will be sent out from Jerusalem, to the earth. All would be fulfilled in the 1st century.
Then Jesus provides the strongest language stating that his words, his mission, his plan is not temporary, but eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. He utters his divine authority here. Cambridge Bible Commentary states - But as we look across the centuries we see how it has been realized. His words have passed into laws, they have passed into doctrines, they have passed into proverbs, they have passed into consolations, but they have never “passed away.” What human teacher ever dared to claim an eternity for his words?
Summary - This has been a difficult text at times, but the Olivet Discourse predicts a time that is coming and Jesus is wanting to ease the minds of his disciples and followers. They are not to be frightened, but confident in the future. His message is not temporal. It will go forth to the ends of the earth. His gospel message will be proclaimed and churches will be planted. Man-made institutions will pass away but His Truth, His Words will never pass away.
Promise: We are to take the gospel to all peoples.
Prayer: Lord, I try to learn and study these truths somewhat quickly, in a morning right now and yet Your Words speak of eternity and Your plan forever. You Lord are on the throne and I can always trust in You and depend on You. Continue to help me encourage others and be a light in people's lives. Thank you for the promise of Your kingdom. Continue to give me understanding of your words as I read them and illuminate me.
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