32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:32-37 KJV)
No One Knows That Day or Hour
Jesus ends his teaching about the end and the destruction of Jerusalem with a parable. Our Master has gone away and left us responsibilities for which we must give account (Mark 13:34). He is like a man on a long journey who leaves his house in the care of his servants—some with authority to oversee, others with work to do. Those with the most authority have the most work. And he appointed a porter to watch—to be ready to open the door when he returns, and to guard the house, letting in only the Master’s friends and servants. In the same way, when Christ ascended, he gave work to all his servants, expecting them to serve him while he was gone and to be ready for his return. All are called to work, and some are entrusted with leadership.
We must always be watching for his return (Mark 13:35-37). The Lord will return as the Master of the house to review his servants’ work and the results. We don’t know when he will return. He has kept the time hidden so we will always be prepared. He may come in the evening, at midnight, at dawn, or in the morning. This applies not only to the final judgment but also to our personal deaths. This life is a night compared to the life to come. We don’t know in which watch—youth, middle age, or old age—our Master will come. From birth, we begin to die, so from the moment we can understand anything, we must be ready for death.
Our main concern must be that, whenever our Lord comes, he does not find us sleeping—spiritually careless, lazy, distracted from our duties, or unprepared to meet him. His coming will be sudden. It will shock and terrify those who are unprepared, like a thief in the night. So it is absolutely essential that all Christ’s followers stay awake and alert.
“What I say to you four” (Mark 13:37), “I say to all twelve—or rather to all my disciples, in every generation: Watch. Expect my return. Prepare for it. Be found in peace, spotless, and blameless.”