The Return of the King

‘At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth and the heavens’ – Mark 13:26-27 (NIV)

Mark’s gospel contains two main teaching discourses.

In Mark 4, Jesus teaches how the kingdom that he, the Son of Man, is bringing from heaven is being established and growing on this earth.

In Mark 13, Jesus teaches that he, the Son of Man, will return to this earth and bring this present human age to an end.

The overall trajectory and perspective is that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of Man, will return to reign over all humanity. This present human age will end, it will pass away, and Jesus will reign over humanity.

We need to hear the force of this. Jesus has come and lived on this earth. He has died to ransom us for God. He is risen from the dead. He will come back to reign on this earth.

We need to live our lives now within the overarching perspective that Jesus has established the kingdom of God on earth, that through his Spirit he is causing that kingdom to grow and develop, and that this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations (Mark 13:10). When we look around the world today we see that this is exactly what is happening; the gospel of the kingdom is being preached to all nations.

The message of Mark is that Jesus is the victorious conqueror, and we must live now strongly aware that we may see him soon.

The disciples asked Jesus what signs would indicate that the magnificent temple buildings would be destroyed.

Jesus replied that:

Wars, famines, and earthquakes will continue …

The gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations …

There will be strong opposition to the gospel …

He will return in power and glory and gather his elect …

Even he, the Son of Man, does not know when this will happen, but as his followers, we must always be alert and ready for his return.