8. OF THE DAY Mark 13:32-37 (Matthew 24:36-42; Luke 21:34-36) 32 But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.--By certain infallible signs Christ had informed his disciples that Jerusalem should be destroyed, the period when they should make good their escape to the fastnesses of the mountains, etc., but of the day when the heaven and earth should pass away, and the coming of the Son of God, no man knew; he, the Son nor the angels, did not know. This day was then only in the knowledge of the Father. But Christ often spoke of such a day, and so did his apostles who were "charged" even to make proclamation of this very truth. (Acts 10:42.) But they were never so presumptuous as to set a day, because on this point they were not informed. They were obedient to Christ, and thus saved themselves the disgrace and humiliation of attempting to find out what Christ himself and the angels in heaven did not know. Some have at different times set the year and day for the coming of Christ; but these days came and the Master did not come. Such people only display their ignorance. I know not when he is coming but feel sure it will not be at a time set by uninspired men. Should he come at such a time it would be some evidence that uninspired men knew more than Jesus and the angels. This I feel confident God will never allow. 33 Take ye heed,--Stay awake and be on your guard. Those who take heed to God's word, and live as that word directs, are ready for his coming when it may suit the Father to send his Son to judge the world. watch--We have need to observe this command, as much so as the disciples who were then living. The servant of the Lord must watch his feet that they wander not into the broad road of sin, but keep the narrow way. Watchfulness, then, means not a nervous anxiety about the precise time of the end, but a steady adherence to the duties of the present hour. and pray:--When worn and weary it is a source of strength to come to the altar of prayer. for ye know not when the time is.--The reason for watch-fulness and prayer. Ignorance of the time is a reason for both watchfulness and prayer. The same reason will apply to death and the judgment which are coming on the earth. [Watch yourselves, that ye may not neglect to be ready and prepared to meet the Lord when he shall come. Watch these signs of his coming, that you may be kept in mind that he will come speedily, and we should be ready; and that the Lord may account you worthy to escape all the evils that shall come upon the disobedient. God will not permit any worthy man to suffer by the evils. He watches over and protects them, and enables them to stand before the Son of man worthy to meet him when he comes, and to stand without condemnation and without shame in his presence.] 34 It is as when a man, sojourning in another country,--An object lesson is here given. The Savior was soon to leave the earth and go on a journey to heaven, and the time of his return, he had already told them, would be indefinite. having left his house, and given authority to his servants, --Each servant has a trust given him by the Lord. Each disciple should consider any power he has or can command, that can be used for the lawful furtherance of the gospel, as a talent committed by the Master. to each one his work,--All disciples have something to do; all are talented, and all must give account to the Master when he comes. The word "house" often means family. Jesus here represents himself as going away, leaving his household the church, in its preparatory state and assigning to the apostles and all his servants their duty, and leaving it uncertain when he would return. As his return was a matter of vast consequence, and as the affairs of his kingdom were entrusted to them, just as the affairs of a house are to servants, when the master is absent: so it was of vast importance that they should be faithful at their post, defending the house from danger, and be ready for his return. commanded also the porter to watch.--The doorkeeper. To the janitor or doorkeeper was intrusted, particularly, the faithful care of the house, whose duty it was to attend faithfully on those who came, and those who left the house. This may be an allusion to the office of the apostles, who held the highest positions under Christ. 35 Watch therefore:--Be diligent, faithful in all things, waiting for the return of your master who will come at an unexpected hour. for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh,--Denoting here the Lord Jesus Christ. The application of the illustration is brief and vivid. The disciples are at once addressed as if they were porters, left in charge of their Master's house. whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning;--These were the four watches into which the night was divided by the Romans and Greeks, and the system was adopted by the Jews. This mention was intended to illustrate the fact that the disciples knew not the time of the Master's return. The four watches of the night were divided as follows. At evening, from sunset to nine o'clock from nine to twelve; at the cockcrowing, from twelve to three; in the morning, from three to sunrise. (Mark 6:48.) The sure way to be found ready when Christ comes is to be ready each day and night; to leave no gaps down. 36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping--Inaction to your post, neglecting your duty, and unprepared for his coming. Christianity, whether it pertains to the duty of an apostle or some other Christian, must be a life of activity and industry. There is no place for an idler in the kingdom of God. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.--These admonitions, then, are for universal application; suited for every age of the church, and suited to every member of the church. Nevertheless men must gain their souls by patience --patient endurance, not violent resistance. Men may be worn with watching, pining for peace, and weary for rest; still the same lesson has to be repeated, the same duty--watching--practiced. Watchfulness is still the duty of the church and of all Christians. The difficulty in this whole matter is in understanding how to distribute the statements to the three queries the disciples asked Jesus. Christ makes his second coming and the end of the world the same time, or he ignores the question concerning the end of the world; the destruction of the temple and the second coming, or end of the world, constitute the two events. The destruction of the temple is the type of his coming, and Jesus glides imperceptibly from the one to the other. He portrays the fearful signs antedating the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in such a way that his servants could not misapprehend them when they appeared, so that they might escape the destruction. He then tells them the Son of man will return at an unexpected hour to them; so they must keep ever watchful and ready. The times specified when he may return are all in the night, indicating that Jesus will come at an hour when least looked for.