Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 27, 2011: Jesus Is Coming Again (Mark 13:14-27)

Mark 13:20
“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.

Mark 13:22
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Mark 13:27
And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

Romans 11:5
So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Revelation 17:14
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.



The message of this week’s lesson is not how bad it will be before Jesus returns, but that Jesus will return. In this interlude, Jesus is again addressing his disciples about the things that must transpire before He returns. Interestingly, at this time we can divide the disciples into three groups: One who forsakes Jesus and His message (Judas), the rest who all will eventually be martyred for the sake of the Gospel and John, the Beloved, who will live until his death in exile on the isle of Patmos. From then until now, these three groups have remained in Christendom, some grow weary of waiting and return to the cares and concerns of the world. Many have died as martyrs, even to this present day. And still more have lived their entire lives in hope, with the faith that Jesus would soon return without seeing the actualization of the Blessed event occur in their lifetime.
Subsequently, history records many strange events and prophecy provides glimpses of many more. Schisms have formed within the Church and cults and false ‘messiahs’ have formed out side of Her over the misinterpretation of end time events. Many within and outside the Church have prophesied the return of Jesus at this time or that, with themselves some how at a premier position of authority when He arrives. Dates and times have been set and reset, time and time again, only to be debunked after the date passes with no Return.
The strength of the lesson this week is not about when he will return or what will transpire up to that time. The strength of the lesson this week is that in Jesus rests the power and ability to return. He is the Resurrection. He is the Truth and the Light. All Power, all Authority rests with Him. Keep Jesus as the center of your focus. Don’t get distracted. Don’t lose Hope. Whatever the eventualities are before you, whether it’s financial ruin, sickness, disease, death. On a larger scale there’s world wide economic collapse, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters. There’s even theories of planet killing meteors passing near our earth.
Jesus is telling the disciples (and us) that no matter the circumstance, God is in control. Complete control. The other thing Jesus wants you to know: You are a part of His eventuality. He has reserved a place for you in eternity and He will come personally to bring you into the Glory that awaits you whenever that is. My advice to you: stay in the boat (see below). Keep the Faith. All of these things will one day cause us all to stand before Jesus and proclaim in wonder and worship, as the disciples did below, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Be encouraged!

.wb


John 5:25
Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

Matthew 14:33
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”