Mark 13:1-31
My Study Bible noted some very direct warnings by Jesus to His disciples: See to it…; But be on your guard…; But take heed…; Watch out, stay alert…; Therefore, stay alert…; …be on the alert!” (NASB, vv. 5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37, all respectively) The ESV has “Stay awake…” instead of “Stay alert” for these last three warnings. So how do we (or how should we) stay awake or stay alert in our present-day circumstances? What to be on guard for or against…??
…the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (vv. 24b-25) I’ve often wondered if there is life on other planets, and I have come to the conclusion that there is not. If there were, God would have to have created them differently than us, without a fallen nature, or God would have to make plans for their redemption as well, as in Jesus dying again to save these other peoples…??!! And these stars that are falling – what happens to those “beings” living in those other solar systems? All this is well beyond my comprehension or imagination! It’s not my issue. I just need to be on guard, stay awake, and stay alert in my world around me!
See also: September 30 / Mark 13:1-13; October 1 / Mark 13:14-23; October 2 / Mark 13:24-31