Feb. 27, 2011
Background Scripture: Mark 13:14-27
Devotional Reading: Isaiah 2:5-12

As you may remember, I do not select the scripture passages used in the Uniform Lesson Series. They are selected by a committee representing, I understand, 40 denominations.

Had I been a part of the committee when the 2010-11 series was determined, I would have seriously opposed the selection of Mark 13 for a one-Sunday study. There is far too much in this chapter to be covered in a single session.
Mark 13 has been a battleground of widely divergent interpretations that have resulted in division and schism in the Body of Christ. I do not believe this chapter can be handled rightly, except by dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ who are mature, charitable and possessed by the love of Christ (which, of course, means also love of one another).

Having said that, I acknowledge my responsibility to try to help you do the very thing about which I expressed significant doubt: To come away from Mark 13 with something of value.

Actually, I already tried to make some preparation for you in last week’s column, when I attempted to explain the apocalyptic mindset that was so prevalent before, during and after Jesus’ ministry. Being familiar with this mindset is essential in approaching an understanding of Mark 13.

‘Soon?’

The expectation of a second coming of Christ has been a part of Christian tradition since its early days. Twenty-one of the 27 books of the New Testament mention it in some form. Its earliest books reflect a belief that the parousia (“coming”) was imminent. Some of Paul’s later writings acknowledged that it wasn’t as imminent as he had thought.

By the time we reach what is probably the last book of the New Testament to be written, 2 Peter, the parousia seems indefinite. Nevertheless, through the centuries many have assumed it would come in their own lifetime. A survey indicates that today one-third of all Americans believe Christ will come “soon.”
Scholars are deeply divided as to whether Jesus was Apocalyptic himself or he simply used its terminology because it was the mindset of the time, or its tone reflects more the mindset of the early church than of Jesus himself.

For example, even if Matthew, Mark and Luke are truly apocalyptic, John appears to conceive Christ’s Second Advent as a divine spiritual indwelling in the personalities of his disciples, rather than an apocalyptic return (Eternal life is now! – John 3:36; 5:39; 6:47; 10:28; 17:03).

Mark 13 may be seen as reflecting two different time periods. The first of these is 70 A.D. when the besieging Roman army of Emperor Titus responded to the rebellious Jewish revolutionaries by devastating the city and massacring its inhabitants. The historian Josephus says that 97,000 Jews were taken captive and 1.1 million men, women and children perished by the sword and starvation.
Before this took place, it is believed that Christians there were warned to flee Jerusalem to the mountains. These warnings, known as “The Little Apocalypse,” are thought to have been incorporated into Mark 13. Furthermore, it is believe that many Christians, thus warned, did escape the carnage.

The parousia

Another explanation focuses on the Greek word parousia that can mean either “coming” or “presence.” If used to denote the “coming” of Jesus, that is indicative of a future event – soon or later. But, if it was used to mean the “presence” of Jesus, then it points not to a future event, but a current reality.
*N.T. Wright comments: “If we spoke of Jesus’ royal presence within God’s new creation, rather than thinking of his ‘coming’ as an invasion from outside, our talk about the future might make more sense … and … more biblical.” The parousia is both with us now and yet to come fully.

So, where does that leave us? For that I look to the end of Mark 13: “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come” (vs. 32, 33).

If you think you understand the parousia and can tie it up and put it in a creedal box, you probably really don’t know either the time or the manner of it. But, if you acknowledge that you know not whether it will be some “evening,” “midnight” or “morning” (v. 35), you will “watch” and be ready.

And what shall we do while we watch and wait? You know the answer, don’t you? (If you need to refresh your memory, see Matthew 25:31-46.)
*The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions by Marcus J. Borg and N.T. Wright, Harper, 1991, p. 202

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.