After Jesus foretold that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, the disciples asked when it would happen.
For the next six paragraphs of Mark 13, Jesus gives the disciples signs of the end of the age. There would be an increase of:
- False Christs
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, famines, etc.).
- Wars and rumors of wars
- Persecution of His followers
- Family division
- Celestial phenomena
But Jesus never answers the question about when these things will happen. He doesn’t give them a date. He says in verse 32 that He doesn’t know when; only the Father knows. (Jesus was fully God and fully man, yet while He was on earth He did not always fully exercise His divine attributes.)
He did tell the disciples how to wait.
Don’t be led astray by false Christs (verses 5, 21, 22).
Don’t be alarmed by the bad news and upheaval (verse 7). Jesus compared these things to birth pains.
Be on your guard due to coming persecution and falsehoods taught (verses 9, 23, 33).
Proclaim the gospel (verse 10). This isn’t stated as a command here, though it is after Jesus’ resurrection.
Do not be anxious about what to say when persecuted: the Holy Spirit will give you what you need to say when it is needed (verse 11).
Stay awake (verses 32-37). He doesn’t mean for us to avoid physical sleep, but to be alert and watchful.
Learn from the fig tree (verses 28-31). Verse 28 says that when the fig tree puts out its leaves, we know summer is near. In the same way, Jesus said, watch for the signs of His coming and know it is near.
It’s natural that we’d like to know what’s going to happen when. But we need to follow Jesus’ admonitions. The ESV Study Bible notes says that “Jesus’ discourse about the end times focuses the attention of the disciples on preparedness, on readiness to suffer, and on trust” (p. 1922).
Similarly, Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The purpose of prophetic truth is not speculation but motivation” (Be Alert (2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude): Beware of the Religious Impostors, p. 107).
Our Sunday School teacher quoted pastor and teacher Bob Deffinbaugh as saying, “The purpose of prophecy is to generate hope by focusing on perseverance and encouragement.”
Most of the preaching I have heard about end times focused on the timeline and order of events. But not as much has been said about how we’re to wait. We need to let these truths motivate us to service, faithfulness, watchfulness, trust, and encouragement as we wait for our Savior’s sure return.
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Stray Thoughts 
Barbara, this was a most interesting observation. We do tend to focus on the when more than the how. Each of the quotes you shared above are powerful, a reminder to focus on our preparedness, our faithfulness, and our hope.
It’s sad that so many messages I’ve heard focused on timelines rather than hope. But I am happy to carry that with me now as I read prophetic parts of the Bible.
Excellent article! We need to “occupy” while we wait for Jesus. Timelines are at most guesses. We need to know how to cope right now – especially in these times of error – even infiltrating the church.
Thank you! I think it’s too easy to get caught up in the puzzles and the mysteries of prophecy and forget the “why.”
Signs of Jesus’ coming are compared here to like when we look for signs of the coming seasons. We look with anticipation, but the being prepared along the way always seems bit scary. We are not to worry, but we are human so scriptures like these do help. Thanks for sharing.
It does help to know the signs show His coming is near.
Waiting for almost anything is the hardest part, for me at least. Good thoughts on how to wait, thank you!
It is–yet we’re in good company. Israel waited years to be delivered from Egypt. Abraham waited for his promised son, David waited for the kingdom even after he had been anointed. I am thankful God is with us in the waiting and encourages us along the way.
Barbara, I just finished a study of Revelations, and the theme was “hope!” It was a wonderful study that kept pointing to God’s sovereignty and His goodness.
That sounds neat! Most people don’t think of hope as Revelation’s purpose, but it is.
This is such a helpful perspective, Barbara. The end of the age should inspire hope, not anxiety. Leave it to Jesus to equip us for exactly that.
Amen. I’m sad that the focus of preaching and teaching biblical prophecy has been on arguing timeline theories. But this study helped remind me of God’s larger purposes.
I was just thinking about staying alert and awake during a droning drive home, the second hour… after lunch. How easy it is to be lulled. Thank you for these succinct reminders for staying awake spiritually. We need to stay focused.
Thank you for this rich and balanced post — I really appreciated your focus on how we’re supposed to wait, not when things will happen. That shift in attention feels so needed.
I once read something that stayed with me:
“Prophecy is less about predicting the future, and more about shaping how we live now.”
That came back to me as I read your words.
Jesus didn’t give a calendar. He gave instructions: stay awake, don’t fear, speak when the Spirit prompts you, and keep going.
It’s not passive waiting — it’s alert, active trust.
Thank you again for the depth and clarity you brought to this chapter. It left me both challenged and encouraged.
https://preciousbeyond.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Aritha. I like that quote.
Amen! I get tired of the hubris behind confident predictions around the WHEN. So much more productive to focus on being ready for his soon return.
Yes–so much argumentation over timeline theories rather than encouragement.
there’s so much peace in knowing that He knows the when. i don’t have to wonder or figure it out or wring my hands. there’s plenty of Kingdom work to do in the meantime, isn’t there …
Amen. He wants to find us faithful when He comes.
Barbara, I loved this post! I just listened to a message yesterday on this very same thing. It stressed the same things as you do here…it isn’t about the “when”, but it is meant for our comfort as we are reminded that HE will return. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Dianna. I haven’t heard this emphasis until recent years, and it is so much more edifying than arguing over timeline theories.
Amen!
Yes, Jesus clearly tells us how to wait & yet it’s not very often highlighted in preaching or teaching Barbara.
blessings, Jennifer
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