DEVOTION – DAY 286

Mark 13:32-33 “No One Knows”

 

Mark 13:32-33 “But about that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”

 

Some of Jesus’ disciples asked Him when His predictions about the end times would be fulfilled. In vv32-33, Jesus replied that no one knew that day or hour. God has chosen not to reveal full details of the end times to us because He knows that a specific outline of the future would be a hindrance to us. It will not be a help. God has given us some signs recorded in the gospels, in Daniel and in Revelation. But these details are not for the purposes of making detailed and sequential predictions of the future. God wants us to live by faith and depend on the Holy Spirit. This was how Jesus, God the Son, lived as He walked the earth as Jesus of Nazareth. God the Father, expects us to do the same.

 

Today as in every other century, people continue to speculate that they are living in the end times, and that the Lord’s return is imminent. But to speculate like that is to miss the main point that the Lord wants us know. That is to be vigilant and live our lives with urgency and meaning. Since we do not know when the Lord will return, we should use our days wisely and purposely to build and expand the Lord’s Kingdom.

 

Not long ago, there were a few end times cults who believed that the Lord’s return was imminent. Members of the cults were told to sell all their possessions and retreat to a safe place to await His return. They were to follow the instructions of their leaders and cut all ties with the friends and families. Of course, the day of the Lord’s supposed return passed and the cult’s predictions were proven wrong. The members of these cults had wasted their time and resources. These cults inevitably fade away. We must beware of anyone trying too hard to interpret and predict when the Lord will return. To do so would be to go against Scripture because in vv32-33 above, Jesus said that not even the Son of God knew when the final day and hour would be.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that reminds us to use the time you have given us wisely and purposefully for your glory. Help us to spend our days effectively and to further your Kingdom. We pray this in the blessed name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. In the light of the Lord’s return, how are you spending your time? Are you actively building His Kingdom, or are you building your own kingdom?
  2. Why do people try to predict the end times? Would it make any difference to the way they live if the end times is known in advance? Discuss.
  3. How should you and I be living out our days in the light of this devotion? Discuss.