TGBC Saturday, 6 Feb 2021 Mark 13:28-37 γρηγορεῖτε

This is a reading we hear in Advent, and it's a command, γρηγορεῖτε. "Watch!" Mark's NT Greek has no punctuation marks, don't be fooled by the English translation's exclamation point as though it's said with a wink and taken with a chuckle. Jesus orders it present Imperative active, second person plural: not suggested with a smile but a stern command. 

The admiral is leaving on TDY, doesn't know how long he'll be away, but "I'll be back in Time, and you dee well better be ready. γρηγορεῖτε." 

In the Navy, when "Seventh Fleet arriving" goes over the 1MC, the three-star is about to cross the quarterdeck and everything better be shipshape, it's too late to start preparing. 

After a few thousand years, maybe the question is no longer "When?" and the answer "Any minute!" but "Really?" and the answer "Uh ...".

See, it's still Mark chapter 13, his Little Apocalypse (little compared to Revelation), Jesus warning about the Troubles and promising to Return. Called the Parousia or Second Coming of Christ, for Paul it was an imminent expectation. Now in 70 AD as Mark sits on a tumbled down Temple stone among the smoldering ruins of Jerusalem, evidently it's a renewed hope. 

But this is not the First Century and we are neither Paul nor Mark. What? 

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

(Matthew 24:32-35; Luke 21:29-33)

28 And learn the parable of the fig tree: When its branch already has become tender, and it puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also you, when you see these things coming to pass, know that He is near,d at the doors. 30 Truly I say to you that this generation will not have passed away until all these things shall have taken place. 31 The heaven and the earth will pass away, but My words will certainly not pass away. 

Readiness at Any Hour
(Genesis 6:1-7; Matthew 24:36-51; Luke 12:35-48)

32 And concerning that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed; watch;e for you do not know when the time is. 

34 It is like a man going on a journey, having left his house, and having given his servants authority, to each one his work. And he commanded the doorkeeper that he should keep watch. 35 Therefore watch—for you do not know when the master of the house comes: either at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or morning— 36 lest having come suddenly, he should find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: WATCH!”