And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything.
But in those days, after that suffering,
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.
Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Mark 13:21-27 NRSV
Darkness suddenly appearing over the earth’s face. Coming in clouds of glory, coming in clouds of grace!
Upheavals and cosmic events of global comprehensiveness, “From the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” the fullest spatial expression, combining terrestrial and celestial realms. Both living and dead are gathered, believers (the “elect”) from all corners of the earth, symbolizing the culmination of salvation and the gathering of the church converging in one redeemed assembly.
The instantaneity revealed in Mark 13:21-27 emphasizes that despite the hardships of the end of time, the ultimate victory and return of Jesus is assured. This is encouragement, intended to provide hope and assurance to believers – Jesus will return! We, the believers, know that God will intervene in history and rescue God’s people.
Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives near a 3,000-year-old cemetery profoundly significant to Judaism. It is home to the oldest, largest Jewish cemetery in the world, with over 150,000 graves, where many believe the resurrection of the dead will begin. It is also identified as the place where the Messiah will appear on the Day of Judgment. Jesus rearranges Judaism’s messianic message with a bold and direct statement: “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” He’s the Son of Man and it will be him who will come in great power and glory.
I can’t imagine the conversation amongst those listening. Surrounded by death, this teacher states that the dead and living will be gathered and see him come in glory. So many questions! Cultural teachings flipped, restated, reclaimed. Jesus is saying that he’s the one who will wake the dead, that he’s the Messiah, the promised One and that all life belongs to him. He’s the Son of God, the one who resurrects and who sends angels to do his bidding.
Jesus’ presence on the Mount of Olives was intentional. His words swept away the graves, opened them and brought the dead back to life. At his command he says, angels will fly throughout the world to seek those elected by God for salvation. Jesus’ return signals the destruction of the very cemetery that he’s gazing upon. He, not a false messiah, will call forth dead believers. They will arise! Jesus is not afraid of death. He knows that it’s temporary for those who love him.
I don’t fear death. I don’t like it. In fact, I despise it. Death hurts. It’s destructive and final. Death ends relationships, and it dissolves families. Death is not my friend. And death is not a friend of God. Jesus sits on a mountain and tells his followers not to worry, that he’s going to solve the problem called death. That he’s going to eliminate it for his believers once and for all. Graves open, people awake, families return to each other and death for them is no more. It’s finished. Jesus gave the disciples, gave us, hope. He understood our fears, and our longing for life to remain permanent. The cemetery surrounding him reiterated the worries caused by death, the losses suffered. He was aware of all the tears shed beside those graves. And he’s saying that all will be well.
Trust him! Wait for him! He’s coming! So, I wait.
Christie Shine is waiting for graves to open and for her family’s joyful reunion.