Ditto, and all without a theological degree. This habit people are in trying to dissect the bible as if they could control it or covet it-- it’s like OCD. Before the young bucks set sail for mastery of the universe, perhaps they could master themselves first hand?
Many people have a deep love for scripture and it is wrong to assume that those who have a strong desire to understand God’s will as communicated to us through Scripture are somehow trying to control it or bend it to their own will. It’s a mistake many non-Catholic Christians make, simply brushing off verses which may be difficult to understand under the assumption that we are reading too much into it or somehow trying to overthink it. It’s the mistake Luther made, telling us that Scripture was so simple that even a plowboy could understand it. Well it’s not and the comments on this thread testify to the how difficult it is to undertand that passage. I certainly don’t pretend to know all the answers.
I can say however, that the entire theme from verse 5 to verse 37 is not only about the end of the world, but also about the desruction of Jerusalem, the temple and the killing of 1.2 million Jews by Titus in 70 AD. Most people focus on this, the apocalyptic nature of these passages, including many of our Evangelical brother’s and sisters, but it is also a story of rebirth. It’s a prophecy about the brith of the age of the reign of the Holy Catholic Church.
Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. (Mark 13:28)
Remember that the verse referenced by the original poster is part of a greater discourse. It must be interpreted in it’s entire context. A few verses prior to the verse referenced by the original poster, Jesus uses langauge about trees budding in spring and the full bloom of summer being near. This is hardly apocalyptic language and most people don’t even notice this verse. It speaks of rebirth after winter. It speaks of a return to life.
It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. (Mark 13:34-35)
Remember whom Jesus is speaking to here. He was asked about the temple by his disciples but later approached privately by Peter, James, John and Andrew. Their question prompted the entire discourse and it was to these four, the future leaders of his Church, whom he was speaking. And he uses language about a master going abroad leaving his servants in charge until his return. He tells the future leaders of his Church, those who will be in charge of his house that thay must be watchful for his return.
The temple will be destroyed and the lesson of the fig tree will come to pass and the Old Covenant will pass away. A new Church will be given birth, created through a new covenant and the Apostles - Peter, James, John and Andrew to whom he was speaking, will be left in charge of the Master’s house. Then summer will be at hand.
But the master will return. And even Jesus does not know when.
-Tim-
