When the Son of Man comes

13:24-27

v24 In those days, there will be terrible troubles. After that, the sun will grow dark and the moon will not shine. v25 The stars will fall from the sky. The powers of the sky will shake out of their places. v26 Then they will see the Son of Man as he comes in clouds with great power and light. v27 Then he will send out his *angels. He will gather the people whom he has chosen from all four directions of the earth. He will bring them from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Verses 24-25 The *Old Testament *prophets often spoke about signs in the sky that would come before Gods judgement day. There will be darkness because there will be no light from the sun, moon or stars (Isaiah 13:10; 34:4). The powers of the sky means the sun, moon and stars. Something like an *earthquake will disturb them from their natural places. Verse 26 Daniel wrote, Someone who looked like a son of man came in the clouds of the sky (Daniel 7:13). Jesus spoke about his second coming in words like these. A cloud is a sign that God is there (Exodus 13:21, Mark 9:7). The great honour and beauty with which Jesus will come is the great honour and beauty of God the Father.

The need to be ready for Christs coming

13:28-37

v28 Learn a lesson from the *fig tree. When its branches go soft, the leaves appear. Then you know that summer is near. v29 In the same way, you will see these things happen. Then you will know that he is near. He is right at the door. v30 I tell you the truth. People now alive will not have died until all these things have happened. v31 Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away. v32 Nobody knows about the day or the hour. Not even the *angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows. v33 Be careful! Keep awake! You do not know when the time will come. v34 It is like a man who goes on a journey. He leaves his house and he puts his servants in charge. Each servant has his work to do. The master orders the servant at the door to keep watching. v35 So keep watching. You do not know when the master of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. It may be when the male chicken calls at dawn or in the morning. v36 He may come without warning. And he may find you asleep. v37 What I say to you, I say to everyone. Watch! Verse 28 They know that summer is near when the leaves begin to appear on the *fig tree. To sit under a *fig tree was a sign of peace when the *Messiah came (Micah 4:4). Verse 29 The words these things probably refer to the signs in the sky (verses 24-25). They will know that the *Lord will return very soon. Verse 30 Many of Jesus *disciples believed that Jesus would return during their life. Paul had to tell the Christians at Thessalonica to carry on their normal lives while they waited (1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12). In one way, Jesus did return very soon when he came at *Pentecost. He had promised his *disciples that he would not leave them without comfort (John 14:18). But the time when Jesus will return is still future. People now alive may refer to the *Jews. If so, Jesus was saying that there would always be *Jews. But Jesus may have meant the kind of people who would be loyal to him. Then he was saying, T here will always be people who really believe. Verse 31 Everything will pass away. But what Jesus taught is always true. It is important for everyone, wherever they live or whatever their age. Heaven and earth may be of no more use, like clothing that has worn out. But God never changes (James 1:17). Jesus, too, is always the same (Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8).

Verse 32 Only God the Father knows the exact time when the Son of Man will come again. Jesus was Gods Son, but, as a man, he himself did not know. Some people say that he will appear on a certain date. Or, they say that the world will end on a certain date. Those people are wrong, because nobody can know that. Verse 33 Jesus warns his *disciples to be prepared. Verse 34 He is like a man who has gone on a journey. But the man has not said quite when he would return. Like the servants in Jesus story, each *disciple has his work to do. They are like the servants in the *parable about the three servants (Matthew 25:14-30). Verses 35-37 Jesus may come at any time of day or night. He therefore emphasises the need to keep awake and ready. He will come suddenly. Jesus was not only warning the *disciples. He was warning everyone.