Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

I'm not sure how things are going to play out today. My little job of yesterday is proving to be bigger than expected. These people also want a big dead poplar tree removed. It’s around 80+ feet tall. To do so will call for some engineering precision in view of nearby houses and power lines. They also have a log behind their house that they want pulled around and milled up. But I also have a problem with the mill that needs to be resolved. That will involve some electrical troubleshooting. I guess I just gave you a little glimpse into my day.

Blessings on whatever you’re up to today. Just be up to FAITHFULNESS.

Love, Dad/Ray

Let’s revisit the original question posed by the disciples that prompted Jesus’ lengthy discourse in this chapter. Perhaps I will paraphrase the question in my own words: “Jesus, can You please tell us when You will return and how everything will play out in clear terms and in nice chronological order leading up to the end of the world?”

As a practical Bible believer and student for many years, I wish to invest my best effort to offer my best, most accurate, and authoritative answer to this question—I DON’T KNOW!

I really believe that this is the best answer—and the basic one intended by the Author of this revelation. I have to believe that He is quite aware of the room He has left in this disclosure for variations of interpretation and accompanying debate. This is another case that supports the thesis that GOD’S WORD IS INSPIRED NOT ONLY IN WHAT IT SAYS, BUT ALSO IN WHAT IT DOESN’T SAY. However, He has embedded in this insight two essential commands about which no one has any legitimate reason for misunderstanding. The first is in verse 42: “KEEP WATCH.” The second is in verse 44: “BE READY.” There you are, folks. That’s about all you need to know. Of course it is all to be done in line with Biblical revelation and calls for FAITHFULNESS (vv. 45-46). And if we add to this the word TODAY (present tense), you have a sure-fire standard for guaranteeing your being a participant in all the great and exciting events that God intends for you however He chooses to lace them together. So KEEP WATCH TODAY. BE READY TODAY.