(Mark 13:24-31)
Jesus continues describing the signs of the end in this section and specifically those leading up to his second coming. He tells us that the sun will be darkened and the moon will lose it’s light. The stars will fall from the heavens and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Some people fear that he is describing the outcome of a global nuclear war, which blackens the sky and prevents the light of the sun and moon coming through. Add this to the scripture in Mark 13:20 where he says that if the Lord had not shortened these last days then no human being would be saved. Whether this is a true reading of these signs I do not know. In my own opinion I think they are wrong. I say this because other scriptures do not suggest the widespread panic and destruction a nuclear event might cause. For example, Jesus said that things would be quite normal, like they were just before He flooded the earth when only Noah and his family survived. Look at Matthew 24:37-42 below:
37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.
40 Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
In my opinion there is some other cause of the shutting out the light of sun and moon and this I believe is of spiritual origin not men. But I may be wrong. Like all prophecy and future events we need to keep an open mind and watch. That is the Lord’s recommendation too. Understand these things will happen and watch so you see the signs when they occur.
And in this section of Mark 13 he reminds us of the need to be alert. He tells us of the lesson of the fig tree. When spring is just around the corner, the branches of the fig tree become tender in readiness to bud and shoot new growth. This is a sign that spring is close.
In the same way when we see these signs we know that he is returning very soon. In the next section we will see that the key to all of these things is knowing that they will occur and to watch for them.
(Photo sourced from stock.xchng https://www.sxc.hu/ taken by Chris Shaheen)
Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.
