Scripture Daily

Context No. 4238 of 4322 · Mark

Context · Reflection

Mark 13:24-31: in context

24But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, 25the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky. 28“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near; 29even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors. 30Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Jesus describes his return in glory: after a time of great distress, the Son of Man will come in clouds with great glory. And then he tells what he will do: he will send out his angels and gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. The great climax of his coming, for his people, is a gathering, a bringing home of all who belong to him, from wherever they have been scattered.

What stands out is this picture of the gathering. God's people are, in this age, scattered, spread across the earth, often feeling isolated, sometimes persecuted, dispersed among the nations. But at the end, Christ will gather them, every one, from the four winds, leaving none behind. The scattered flock will be brought together home to their Lord.

However dispersed and isolated we may feel now, a great gathering is coming. Christ will send his angels to bring his chosen ones home from the ends of the earth, and not one will be missed or left behind. The scattered will be gathered; the isolated will be brought together; all who belong to Christ will be collected to him at his coming. This is the hope that steadies us: we are headed for a homecoming.

When I feel scattered, isolated, or alone in this world, do I hold to the hope that Christ will one day gather his chosen ones from the four winds, bringing every one of his people home to himself, so that I am headed not for abandonment but for a homecoming?

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