When Will Jesus Return?

⁵ Jesus replied, “Do not let anyone mislead you, ⁶ for many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. ⁷ And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but do not panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end will not follow immediately. ⁸ Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Mark 13:5-8 (NLT)

Mark 13:1-37 with parallel references at Matthew 24:1-25:46 and Luke 21:5-36 are difficult and complex chapters in the Synoptic Gospels. Biblical scholars commonly call these chapters the “Synoptic Apocalypse” or the “Olivet Discourse.” In these chapters, Jesus provides His longest statements about the future, including the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, warnings against deceivers and false signs of the end, His second coming to earth, the end of the age, and encouragement to be watchful. Most notably, Jesus teaches that no one can predict the precise time of His coming!

As Jesus was leaving the Jerusalem Temple with His disciples during Passover week, one of Jesus’ disciples commented on the beauty, majesty, and splendor of the Temple (Mark 13:1; see also Matthew 24:1; Luke 21:5). However, Jesus warned His disciples that the Temple would be destroyed (Mark 13:2; see also Matthew 24:2; Luke 21:6). Jesus’ prediction of the Temple’s destruction was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Romans under Titus destroyed Jerusalem and burned the Temple.

Then as Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives across the valley from Jerusalem, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to Jesus and asked Jesus about His predictions of the Temple’s destruction (Mark 13:3-4; see also Matthew 24:3; Luke 21:7). Jesus’ disciples thought the destruction of the Temple would be the events that ushered in the end of times. Jesus launched into an extended teaching about the future and the importance of being watchful of deception (Mark 13:5; see also Matthew 24:4; Luke 21:8). In His teaching, Jesus warned His disciples about false prophets and false teachers and their deceptions (Mark 13:5; see also Matthew 24:4-5, 14; Luke 21:8). Jesus warned that many deceivers will claim to be the Messiah (Christ) and will lead many astray after He returned to heaven (Mark 13:6; see also Matthew 24:5; Luke 21:8). Then, Jesus warned that wars will break out near and far, nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, there will be earthquakes and famines, His followers will be persecuted and mistreated, families will feud, there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Mark 13:7-9, 12; see also Matthew 24:6-7, 9-10; Luke 21:9-12, 16-17, 25). Jesus taught that these events are only the first of the birth pains, with more pains to come (Mark 13:8; see also Matthew 24:8; Luke 21:9).

During these turbulent times, Jesus encouraged His disciples to live courageously and proclaim His Good News (Gospel) faithfully to every nation (Mark 13:10; see also Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 21:13). The Good News about Jesus must first be made known to every nation before the end-time finally comes (Matthew 24:14). Then, Jesus encouraged His disciples to stay faithful to Him during the coming turbulent times because everyone who remains faithful and loyal to Him will be saved and gain life (Mark 13:13; see also Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:10, 13; Luke 21:18-19; Hebrews 10:36-39). Although persecution and destruction may come, God the Father is fully in control and the outcome will be a victory for those who persevere and remain faithful to Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 15:57; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

Jesus:  ²¹ “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ do not believe it. ²² For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. ²³ Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time! Mark 13:21-23 (NLT)

For a second time, Jesus warned His disciples that during the coming turbulent times, many false prophets and false teachers will say the Messiah has arrived (Mark 13:21; see also Matthew 24:11, 23). Jesus taught His disciples not to pay attention if any one says, “This is the Messiah,” or “That one is the Messiah” (Mark 13:21; see also Matthew 24:26). Just before His second coming, Jesus warned that these false messiahs, prophets, and teachers will increase, and many deceivers will perform wonderful miracles and wonders to deceive and trick God’s people (Mark 13:22; see also Matthew 24:24). Jesus warned God’s people to be on guard, trust the living God, and faithfully obey His Word because God and His Word will never fail (Mark 13:23, 31; see also Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33).

Jesus: ²⁶ “Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And He will send out His angels to gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. . . . ³² However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. ³³ And since you do not know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! Mark 13:26-27, 32-33 (NLT)

As the true Messiah, Jesus taught His disciples that all the earth will see Him coming in the clouds with great power, glory, and redemption (Mark 13:26; see also Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:27, 30; Luke 21:27-28; Revelation 1:7). In other words, Jesus’ second coming will be visible to all people (Luke 17:24)! Jesus said that after His second coming, He will send out the angels to gather God’s people together from all over the world—from the farthest bounds of earth and heaven (Mark 13:27; see also Matthew 24:31). Finally, Jesus taught His disciples that no one, not even the angels in heaven, nor Himself knows the day or hour when He will return to earth again because only God the Father knows this exact time (Mark 13:32-33; see also Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:6-7). Jesus warned His disciples not to set dates about this coming turbulent time and His second arrival because no one knows when He will return a second time (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). Jesus’ second coming and the end are fully in God’s hands! Since no one knows, Jesus warned that God’s people must stay faithful, alert, prayerful, wise, righteous, good, and watchful because the righteous ones will received their eternal reward from God (Mark 13:33, 35-37; see also Matthew 24:42-43, 46; Matthew 25:46; Luke 21:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). Moreover, Jesus warned not to let our hearts be dulled by carousing, drunkenness, wickedness, sin, and by the worries of this life (Matthew 24:49; Luke 21:34; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:2-11). Jesus said His second coming will be sudden, unannounced, and without warning (Mark 13:35; see also Matthew 24:44, 50; Matthew 25:13; Luke 21:35). Keep alert at all times, remain totally committed to Jesus, and be ready (Mark 13:37; see also Matthew 25:10, 29; Luke 21:36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 5:6)!

References

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015).