Mark 13   Jesus was "sitting on the Mount of Olives"  looking over the Temple.  Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to sit with Him.  They wanted to know "when" the end would come.. when all the prophecies would be fulfilled.. when the Temple would be torn down.. 

Jesus begins to answer, not with "when".. but with "who".  "See to it that no one misleads you."  He speaks of those who will come in His name, claiming to be the One.  He warns of the things that might frighten them or cause them to be led "astray". There will be many trials and difficulties.. there will be hatred and persecutions.. there will even be death and destruction.  But.. "the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved." It's not about when.. but about who.. who will be ready.. who will endure.. who will "Be on the alert." 

There will be a day, Jesus promised, when they would "see the Son of Man, coming in clouds with great power and glory." ( v26)  A day when "heaven and earth will pass away"  but His Words "will not pass away."  There will be a day.. a day chosen by the Father.. when He will return.. 

The most important thing that they can do... is "Be on the alert!"  We cannot know the "when".. but we can know that Jesus is the One who will come.. in power and glory.  Until then we are on the alert.. so we are not misled or deceived.. not fearful or anxious.. but enduring and looking up!

Father in heaven, we need You every day, to keep us walking in the Light, trusting Your Word, and enduring by Your Spirit's power in us.  We are looking up.. awaiting the sound of the Trumpet and the coming of our Lord Jesus. Grant us the endurance.. the perseverance.. the faith and the discernment that we, Your children, need for today.. keep us alert and ready for when our Master returns.  May we be found faithful!  Help us to be all that You desire for us to be we pray, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.