Continuing with our readings in Mark, chapter 13 gives us the well known but hard to understand Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ explanation of the destruction of the temple:

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” (Mark 13.1 – 4, ESV)

One translation of one of these Olivet Discourses says that the temple will be “a pile of rubble.” I’ve been there, and I’ve seen the pile of rubble that was the temple, destroyed in 70 A.D. by Roman soldiers. This is the approximate view Jesus and the disciples would have had during the discourse except where the Dome of the Rock, the Muslim mosque is where the temple of Jerusalem was. The wall in front, especially the lower part is as it was when Herod built it, truly from “wonderful stones.” Very large stones.

My point today is we still struggle today with the meaning of the Olivet Discourse. In Matthew it starts:

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24.3, ESV)

We all wish Jesus had said, “I hear two questions: 1. When will these things be (the destruction of the temple). 2. What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” To the disciples, it was all one question. Naturally, to their minds, the destruction of the temple would be at the end of the age, at his second coming. But since the destruction of the temple occurred in 70, and Jesus hasn’t returned yet, those aren’t the same events.

Therefore, the discourse is hard to understand since we’re never quite sure which event(s) he’s talking about, despite this semi-amusing sentence:

But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Mark 13.14, ESV)

“Let the reader understand….” what?? The “abomination of desolation” is discussed in Daniel 9. Have fun.

My point is this: the discourse itself may be tough, but the ending is clear:

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. (Mark 13.32 – 37, ESV)

There are two central messages at the end:

• No one knows…you do not know…you do not know (verses 32, 33, 35)
• Be on guard, keep awake…stay awake…stay awake (verses 33, 35, 37)

“You don’t know” should be a clue that we ought not to waste too much time trying to figure out all the nuts and bolts of the end times.

“Stay awake” …for what? Here are some suggestions.

• Don’t be overwhelmed by culture.

Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold. (Romans 12.2, Philips)

Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5.14 – 17, ESV)

• Be awake for opportunities to advance the gospel.

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4.3 – 6, ESV)

• Be awake for opportunities to be reconcilers rather than combatants.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5.9, ESV)

• Keep awake and pray!

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14.38, ESV)

Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6.18 – 20, ESV, emphasis mine)