mh_parser/vol_split/41 - Mark/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="Mark.xiv" n="xiv" next="Mark.xv" prev="Mark.xiii" progress="43.80%" title="Chapter XIII">
<h2 id="Mark.xiv-p0.1">M A R K.</h2>
<h3 id="Mark.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Mark.xiv-p1">We have here the substance of that prophetical
sermon which our Lord Jesus preached, pointing at the destruction
of Jerusalem, and the consummation of all things; it was one of the
last of his sermons, and not <i>ad populum</i>—to the people, but
<i>ad clerum</i>—to the clergy; it was private, preached only to
four of his disciples, with whom his secret was. Here is, I. The
occasion of his prediction—his disciples' admiring the building of
the temple (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.1-Mark.13.2" parsed="|Mark|13|1|13|2" passage="Mk 13:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>),
and their enquiry concerning the time of the desolation of them,
<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.3-Mark.13.4" parsed="|Mark|13|3|13|4" passage="Mk 13:3,4">ver. 3, 4</scripRef>. II. The
predictions themselves, 1. Of the rise of deceivers, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.5-Mark.13.6 Bible:Mark.13.21-Mark.13.23" parsed="|Mark|13|5|13|6;|Mark|13|21|13|23" passage="Mk 13:5,6,21-23">ver. 5, 6, 21-23</scripRef>. 2. Of the
wars of the nations, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.7-Mark.13.8" parsed="|Mark|13|7|13|8" passage="Mk 13:7,8">ver. 7,
8</scripRef>. 3. Of the persecution of Christians, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.9-Mark.13.13" parsed="|Mark|13|9|13|13" passage="Mk 13:9-13">ver. 9-13</scripRef>. 4. Of the destruction of
Jerusalem, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.14-Mark.13.20" parsed="|Mark|13|14|13|20" passage="Mk 13:14-20">ver. 14-20</scripRef>.
5. Of the end of the world, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.24-Mark.13.27" parsed="|Mark|13|24|13|27" passage="Mk 13:24-27">ver.
24-27</scripRef>. III. Some general intimations concerning the time
of them, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.28-Mark.13.32" parsed="|Mark|13|28|13|32" passage="Mk 13:28-32">ver. 28-32</scripRef>. IV.
Some practical inferences from all, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.33-Mark.13.37" parsed="|Mark|13|33|13|37" passage="Mk 13:33-37">ver. 33-37</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Mark.xiv-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13" parsed="|Mark|13|0|0|0" passage="Mr 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Mark.xiv-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.1-Mark.13.4" parsed="|Mark|13|1|13|4" passage="Mr 13:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.13.1-Mark.13.4">
<h4 id="Mark.xiv-p1.12">The Destruction of the Temple
Foretold.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xiv-p2">1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his
disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and
what buildings <i>are here!</i>   2 And Jesus answering said
unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left
one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.   3 And
as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter
and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,   4 Tell
us, when shall these things be? and what <i>shall be</i> the sign
when all these things shall be fulfilled?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p3">We may here see,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p4">I. How apt many of Christ's own disciples
are to idolize things that look <i>great,</i> and have been long
looked upon as <i>sacred.</i> They had heard Christ complain of
those who had made the temple a <i>den of thieves;</i> and yet,
when he quitted it, for the wickedness that remained in it, they
court him to be as much in love as they were with the stately
structure and adorning of it. One of them said to him, "Look,
Master, <i>what manner of stones, and what buildings are here,</i>
<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.1" parsed="|Mark|13|1|0|0" passage="Mk 13:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. We never saw
the like in Galilee; O do not leave this fine place."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p5">II. How little Christ values external pomp,
where there is not real purity; "<i>Seest thou these great
buildings</i>" (saith Christ), "and admirest thou them? I tell
thee, the time is at hand when <i>there shall not be left one stone
upon another, that shall not be thrown down,</i>" <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.2" parsed="|Mark|13|2|0|0" passage="Mk 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. And the sumptuousness of
the fabric shall be no security to it, no nor move any compassion
in the Lord Jesus towards it. He looks with <i>pity</i> upon the
ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, for on them he has put
great value; but we do not find him look with any pity upon the
ruin of a magnificent house, when he is driven out of it by sin,
for that is of small value with him. With what little concern doth
he say, <i>Not one stone shall be left on another!</i> Much of the
strength of the temple lay in the largeness of the stones, and if
these be thrown down, no footstep, no remembrance, of it will
remain. While any part remained standing, there might be some hopes
of the repair of it; but what hope is there, when not one stone is
<i>left upon another?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p6">III. How natural it is to us to desire to
know things to come, and the times of them; more inquisitive we are
apt to be about that than about our duty. His disciples knew not
how to <i>digest</i> this doctrine of the ruin of the temple, which
they thought must be their Master's royal palace, and in which they
expected their preferment, and to have the posts of honour; and
therefore they were in pain till they got him alone, and got more
out of him concerning this matter. As he was returning to Bethany
therefore, he <i>sat upon the mount of Olives, over against the
temple,</i> where he had a full view of it; and there four of them
agreed to <i>ask him privately,</i> what he meant by the destroying
of the temple, which they understood no more than they did the
predictions of his own death, so inconsistent was it with their
scheme. Probably, though these four proposed the question, yet
Christ's discourse, in answer to it, was in the hearing of the rest
of the disciples, yet <i>privately,</i> that is, apart from the
multitude. Their enquiry is, <i>When shall these things be?</i>
They will not question, at least not seem to question, whether they
shall be or no (for their Master has said that they shall), but are
willing to hope it is a great way off. Yet they ask not precisely
the day and year (therein they were modest), but say, "Tell us
<i>what shall be the sign, when all these things shall be
fulfilled?</i> What presages shall there be of them, and how may we
prognosticate their approach?"</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.5-Mark.13.13" parsed="|Mark|13|5|13|13" passage="Mr 13:5-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.13.5-Mark.13.13">
<h4 id="Mark.xiv-p6.2">Great Afflictions Foretold.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xiv-p7">5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take
heed lest any <i>man</i> deceive you:   6 For many shall come
in my name, saying, I am <i>Christ;</i> and shall deceive many.
  7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye
not troubled: for <i>such things</i> must needs be; but the end
<i>shall</i> not <i>be</i> yet.   8 For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be
earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and
troubles: these <i>are</i> the beginnings of sorrows.   9 But
take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils;
and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought
before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
  10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  11 But when they shall lead <i>you,</i> and deliver you up,
take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye
premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that
speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.  
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the
father the son; and children shall rise up against <i>their</i>
parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.   13 And ye
shall be hated of all <i>men</i> for my name's sake: but he that
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p8">Our Lord Jesus, in reply to their question,
sets himself, not so much to satisfy their curiosity as to direct
their consciences; leaves them still in the dark concerning the
<i>times</i> and <i>seasons,</i> which the father has <i>kept in
his own power,</i> and which <i>it was not for them to know;</i>
but gives them the cautions which were needful, with reference to
the events that should now shortly come to pass.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p9">I. They must take heed that they be not
<i>deceived</i> by the <i>seducers</i> and <i>imposters</i> that
should now shortly arise (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.5-Mark.13.6" parsed="|Mark|13|5|13|6" passage="Mk 13:5,6"><i>v.</i>
5, 6</scripRef>); "<i>Take heed lest any man deceive you,</i> lest,
having found the <i>true Messiah,</i> you lose him again in the
crowd of <i>pretenders,</i> or be inveigled to embrace others in
rivalship with him. Many shall come <i>in my name</i> (not in the
name of <i>Jesus</i>), but saying, <i>I am the Christ,</i> and so
claiming the dignities which I only an entitled to." After the Jews
had rejected the true Christ, they were imposed upon, and so
<i>ex</i>posed by many false Christs, but never before; those false
Christs <i>deceived many;</i> Therefore <i>take heed lest they
deceive you.</i> Note, When many are deceived, we should thereby be
awakened to look to ourselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p10">II. They must take heed that they be not
<i>disturbed</i> at the noise of wars, which they should be alarmed
with, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.7-Mark.13.8" parsed="|Mark|13|7|13|8" passage="Mk 13:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. Sin
introduced <i>wars,</i> and they come <i>from men's lusts.</i> But
at some times the nations are more distracted and wasted with wars
than at other times; so it shall be now; Christ was born into the
world when there was a general peace, but soon after he went out of
the world there were general wars; <i>Nation shall rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom.</i> And what will become of
them then who are to preach the gospel to every nation? <i>Inter
arma silent leges—Amidst the clash of arms, the voice of law is
not heard.</i> "But <i>be not troubled at it.</i>" 1. "Let it be no
<i>surprise</i> to you; you are bid to expect it, and <i>such
things must needs be,</i> for God has appointed them, in order to
further accomplishment of his purposes, and by the <i>wars of the
Jews</i>" (which Josephus has given us a large account of) "God
will punish the <i>wickedness of the Jews.</i>" 2. "Let it be no
<i>terror</i> to you, as if your interest were in danger of being
overthrown, or your work obstructed by these wars; you have no
concern in them, and therefore need not be apprehensive of any
damage by them." Note, Those that despise the smiles of the world,
and do not court and covet them, may despise the frowns of the
world, and need not fear them. If we seek not to rise with them
that <i>rise in the world,</i> why should we dread falling with
them that fall in the world? 3. "Let it not be looked upon as an
omen of the approaching period of the world, for the <i>end is not
yet,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.7" parsed="|Mark|13|7|0|0" passage="Mk 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Think
not that these <i>wars</i> will bring the world to a period; no,
there are other intermediate counsels to be fulfilled betwixt that
end and the end of all things, which are designed to prepare you
for the end, but not to hasten it out of due time." 4. "Let it not
be looked upon as if in them God has done his worst; no, he has
more arrows in his quiver, and they are <i>ordained against the
persecutors;</i> be not troubled at the wars you shall hear of, for
they are but <i>the beginnings of sorrows,</i> and therefore,
instead of being disturbed at <i>them,</i> you ought to <i>prepare
for worse;</i> for there shall also be <i>earthquakes in divers
places,</i> which shall bury multitudes in the ruins of their own
houses, and there <i>shall be famines,</i> by which many of the
poor shall perish for want of bread, and <i>troubles</i> and
commotions; so that there shall be no peace to him that <i>goes
out</i> or <i>comes in.</i> The world shall be full of
<i>troubles,</i> but <i>be not ye troubled;</i> without are
<i>fightings,</i> within are <i>fears,</i> but <i>fear not ye their
fear.</i>" Note, The disciples of Christ, if it be not their own
fault, may enjoy a holy security and serenity of mind, when all
about them is in the greatest disorder.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p11">III. They must take heed that they be not
<i>drawn away</i> from Christ, and from their duty to him, by the
sufferings they should meet with for Christ's sake. Again, he
saith, "<i>Take heed to yourselves,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.9" parsed="|Mark|13|9|0|0" passage="Mk 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Though you may escape the
<i>sword of war,</i> better than some of your neighbours, because
you interest not yourselves in the public quarrels, yet be not
secure; you will be exposed to the <i>sword of justice</i> more
than others, and the parties that contend with one another, will
unite against you. <i>Take heed</i> therefore lest you
<i>deceive</i> yourselves with the hopes of outward prosperity, and
such a temporal kingdom as you have been dreaming of, when it is
<i>through many tribulations</i> that <i>you must enter into the
kingdom of God.</i> Take heed lest you needlessly expose yourselves
to trouble, and pull it upon your own head. <i>Take heed</i> what
you say and do, for you will have many eyes upon you." Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p12">1. What the trouble is which they must
expect.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p13">(1.) They shall be <i>hated of all men;</i>
trouble enough! The thoughts of <i>being hated</i> are grievous to
a tender spirit, and the fruits of that hatred must needs be a
constant vexation; those that are <i>malicious,</i> will be
<i>mischievous.</i> It was not for any thing amiss in them, or done
amiss by them, that they were <i>hated,</i> but for Christ's name
sake, because they were called by his name, called upon his name,
preached his name, and wrought miracles in his name. The world
hated them because he loved them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p14">(2.) Their own <i>relations</i> shall
<i>betray them,</i> those to whom they were most nearly allied, and
on whom therefore they depended for protection; "They <i>shall
betray you,</i> shall inform against you, and be your prosecutors."
If a father has a child that is a Christian, he shall become void
of natural affection, it shall be swallowed up in bigotry, and he
shall betray his own child to the persecutors, as if he were a
worshipper of other gods, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.13.6-Deut.13.10" parsed="|Deut|13|6|13|10" passage="De 13:6-10">Deut.
xiii. 6-10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p15">(3.) Their <i>church-rulers</i> shall
inflict <i>their censures</i> upon them; "You shall be <i>delivered
up</i> to the great Sanhedrim at Jerusalem, and to the inferior
courts and consistories in other cities, and shall be <i>beaten in
the synagogues</i> with forty stripes at a time, as offenders
against the law which was read in the synagogue." It is no new
thing for the church's artillery, through the treachery of its
officers, to be turned against some of its best friends.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p16">(4.) <i>Governors</i> and <i>kings</i>
shall use their power against them. Because the Jews have not power
to put them to death, they shall incense the Roman powers against
them, as they did Herod against James and Peter; and they shall
<i>cause you to be put to death,</i> as enemies to the empire. They
must resist unto blood, and still resist.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p17">2. What they shall have to comfort
themselves with, in the midst of these great and sore troubles.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p18">(1.) That the work they were called to
should be carried on and prosper, notwithstanding all this
opposition which they should meet with in it (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.10" parsed="|Mark|13|10|0|0" passage="Mk 13:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>); "<i>The gospel</i> shall, for
all this, be <i>published among all nations,</i> and before the
destruction of Jerusalem the <i>sound</i> of it shall <i>go forth
into all the earth;</i> not only through all the nation of the
Jews, but to all the nations of the earth." It is comfort to those
who suffer for the gospel, that, though they may be crushed and
borne down, the gospel cannot; it shall keep its ground, and carry
the day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p19">(2.) That their sufferings, instead of
obstructing their work, should forward it; "Your being <i>brought
before governors and kings</i> shall be for <i>a testimony of
them</i> (so some read it, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.9" parsed="|Mark|13|9|0|0" passage="Mk 13:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>); it shall give you an opportunity of preaching the
gospel to those before whom you are brought as criminals, to whom
otherwise you could not have access." Thus St. Paul's being brought
before Felix, and Festus, and Agrippa, and Nero, was a testimony to
them concerning Christ and his gospel. Or, as we read it, It shall
be for a testimony <i>against them,</i> against both the judges and
the prosecutors, who pursue those with the utmost rage that appear,
upon examination, to be not only innocent but excellent persons.
The gospel is a testimony to us concerning Christ and heaven. If we
receive it, it will be a testimony for us: it will justify and save
us; if not, it will be a testimony <i>against</i> us in the great
day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p20">(3.) That, when they were brought before
kings and governors for Christ's sake, they should have special
assistance from heaven, to plead Christ's cause and their own
(<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.11" parsed="|Mark|13|11|0|0" passage="Mk 13:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); "<i>Take no
thought before-hand what he shall speak,</i> be not solicitous how
to address yourselves to great men, so as to obtain their favour;
your cause is just and glorious, and needs not be supported by
premeditated speeches and harangues; but <i>whatsoever shall be
given you in that hour,</i> whatsoever shall be suggested to you,
and put into your minds, and into your mouths" (<i>pro re natâ—on
the spur of the occasion</i>), "that <i>speak ye,</i> and fear not
the success of it, because it is <i>off-hand,</i> for <i>it is not
ye that speak,</i> purely by the strength of your own wisdom,
consideration, and resolution, but it is <i>the Holy Ghost.</i>"
Note, Those whom Christ calls out to be advocates for him, shall be
furnished with full instructions: and when we are engaged in the
service of Christ, we may depend upon the aids of the Spirit of
Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p21">(4.) That heaven at last would <i>make
amends for all;</i> "You will meet with a great deal of hardship in
your way, but have a good heart on it, your warfare will be
accomplished, and your testimony finished, and <i>he that shall
endure to the end, the same shall be saved,</i>" <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.13" parsed="|Mark|13|13|0|0" passage="Mk 13:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. Perseverance gains the crown.
The salvation here promised is more than a deliverance from evil,
it is an everlasting blessedness, which shall be an abundant
recompence for all their services and sufferings. All this we have,
<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.10.17" parsed="|Matt|10|17|0|0" passage="Mt 10:17">Matt. x. 17</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xiv-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.14-Mark.13.23" parsed="|Mark|13|14|13|23" passage="Mr 13:14-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.13.14-Mark.13.23">
<h4 id="Mark.xiv-p21.4">The Destruction of the Temple
Foretold.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xiv-p22">14 But when ye shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it
ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be
in Judæa flee to the mountains:   15 And let him that is on
the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter
<i>therein,</i> to take any thing out of his house:   16 And
let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his
garment.   17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them
that give suck in those days!   18 And pray ye that your
flight be not in the winter.   19 For <i>in</i> those days
shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the
creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh
should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he
hath shortened the days.   21 And then if any man shall say to
you, Lo, here <i>is</i> Christ; or, lo, <i>he is</i> there; believe
<i>him</i> not:   22 For false Christs and false prophets
shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if <i>it
were</i> possible, even the elect.   23 But take ye heed:
behold, I have foretold you all things.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p23">The Jews, in rebelling against the Romans,
and in persecuting the Christians, were hastening to their own ruin
apace, both efficiently and meritoriously, were setting both God
and man against them; see <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.2.15" parsed="|1Thess|2|15|0|0" passage="1Th 2:15">1 Thess. ii.
15</scripRef>. Now here we have a prediction of that ruin which
came upon them within less than forty years after this: we had it
before, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.15" parsed="|Matt|24|15|0|0" passage="Mt 24:15">Matt. xxiv. 15</scripRef>,
&amp;c. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p24">I. What is here foretold concerning it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p25">1. That the Roman <i>armies</i> should make
a descent upon Judea, and invest Jerusalem, the holy city. These
were the <i>abomination</i> of <i>desolation,</i> which the Jews
did <i>abominate,</i> and by which they should be made
<i>desolate.</i> The country of thine enemy is called <i>the land
which thou abhorrest,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.7.16" parsed="|Isa|7|16|0|0" passage="Isa 7:16">Isa. vii.
16</scripRef>. <i>Therefore</i> it was an abomination, because it
brought with it nothing but desolation. They had rejected Christ as
an <i>abomination,</i> who would have been their <i>salvation;</i>
and now God brought upon them an abomination that would be their
<i>desolation,</i> thus spoken of by Daniel <i>the prophet</i>
(<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.9.27" parsed="|Mark|9|27|0|0" passage="Mk 9:27"><i>ch.</i> ix. 27</scripRef>), as that
by which this sacrifice and offering should be made to cease. This
army stood <i>where it ought not,</i> in and about the <i>holy
city,</i> which the heathen ought not to have approached, nor would
have been suffered to approach, if Jerusalem had not first profaned
the crown of their holiness. This the church complains of,
<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Lam.1.10" parsed="|Lam|1|10|0|0" passage="La 1:10">Lam. i. 10</scripRef>, The <i>heathen
entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they
should not enter into the congregation;</i> but sin made the
breach, at which the glory went out, and the abomination of
desolation broke in, <i>and stood where it ought not.</i> Now, let
<i>him that readeth</i> this, <i>understand it,</i> and endeavor to
take it right. Prophecies should not be too plain, and yet
intelligible to those that search them; and they are best
understood by comparing them first with one another, and at last
with the event.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p26">2. That when the Roman <i>army</i> should
come into the country, there would be no safety any where but by
quitting the country, and that with all possible expedition. It
will be in vain to <i>fight,</i> the enemies will be too hard for
them; in vain to <i>abscond,</i> the enemies will find them out;
and in vain to <i>capitulate,</i> the enemies will give them no
quarter; a man cannot have so much as his life given him for a
prey, but by <i>fleeing to the mountains</i> out of Judea; and let
him take the first alarm, and make the best of his way. If he be
<i>on the house-top,</i> trying from thence to discover the motions
of the enemy, and spies them coming, let him not <i>go down, to
take any thing out of the house,</i> for it will occasion his
losing of time, which is more precious than his best goods, and
will but encumber him, and embarrass his flight. If he be in the
field, and there discover the approach of the enemy, let him get
away as he is, and not <i>turn back again, to take up his
garment,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.16" parsed="|Mark|13|16|0|0" passage="Mk 13:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>.
If he can save his life, let him reckon it is a good bargain,
though he can save nothing else, and be thankful to God, that,
though he is cut short, he is not cut off.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p27">3. That it would go very hard at that time
with poor mothers and nurses (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.17" parsed="|Mark|13|17|0|0" passage="Mk 13:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>); "<i>Woe to them that are with
child,</i> that dare not go into strange places, that cannot shift
for themselves, nor make haste as others can. And <i>woe to them
that give suck,</i> that know not how either to leave the tender
infants behind them, or to carry them along with them." Such is the
vanity of the creature, that the time may often be, when the
greatest comforts may prove the greatest burthens. It would
likewise be very uncomfortable, if they should be forced to flee
<i>in the winter</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.18" parsed="|Mark|13|18|0|0" passage="Mk 13:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>), when the <i>weather</i> and <i>ways</i> were bad,
when the roads would be scarcely passable, especially in the
mountains to which they must flee. If there be no remedy but that
trouble must come, yet we may desire and pray that, if it be God's
will, the circumstances of it may be so ordered as to be a
mitigation of the trouble; and when things are bad, we ought to
consider they might have been worse. It is bad to be forced to
flee, but it would have been worse if it had been <i>in the
winter.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p28">4. That throughout all the country of the
Jews, there should be such destruction and desolation made, as
could not be paralleled in any history (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.19" parsed="|Mark|13|19|0|0" passage="Mk 13:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>); <i>In those days shall be
affliction, such as was not from the beginning</i> of time; that
is, <i>of the creation which God created,</i> for time and the
creation are of equal date, <i>unto this day, neither shall be</i>
to the end of time; such a complication of miseries, and of such
continuance. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans was very
terrible, but this exceeded it. It threatened a universal slaughter
of all the people of the Jews; so barbarously did they devour one
another, and the Romans devour them all, that, if their wars had
continued a little longer, <i>no flesh could have been saved,</i>
not one Jew could have been left alive; but in the midst of wrath
God remembered mercy; and, (1.) He <i>shortened the days;</i> he
let fall his controversy before he had <i>made a full end.</i> As a
church and nation the ruin was complete, but many particular
persons had their lives given them for a prey, by the storm's
subsiding when it did. 2. It was <i>for the elects' sake</i> that
those days were shortened; <i>many</i> among them fared the better
for the sake of the <i>few</i> among them that believed in Christ,
and were faithful to him. There was a promise, that <i>a
remnant</i> should be saved (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.22" parsed="|Isa|10|22|0|0" passage="Isa 10:22">Isa. x.
22</scripRef>), and that God would not, for his servants' sakes,
<i>destroy them all</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.8" parsed="|Isa|65|8|0|0" passage="Isa 65:8">Isa. lxvi.
8</scripRef>); and these promises must be fulfilled. God's own
<i>elect cry day and night to him,</i> and their prayers must be
answered, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.18.7" parsed="|Luke|18|7|0|0" passage="Lu 18:7">Luke xviii. 7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p29">II. What directions are given to the
disciples with reference to it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p30">1. They must shift for the safety of
<i>their lives;</i> "When you see the country invaded, and the city
invested, flatter not yourselves with thoughts that the enemy will
retire, or that you may be able to make your part good with them;
but, without further deliberation or delay, <i>let them that are in
Judea, flee to the mountains,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.14" parsed="|Mark|13|14|0|0" passage="Mk 13:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Meddle not with the strife that
<i>belongs not to you; let the potsherds strive with the potsherds
of the earth,</i> but do you go out of the ship when you see it
sinking, that you die not the <i>death of the uncircumcised</i> in
heart."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p31">2. They must provide for the safety of
<i>their souls;</i> "<i>Seducers</i> will be busy at that time, for
they love to fish in troubled waters, and therefore then you must
double your guard; <i>then, if any man shall</i> say unto you,
<i>Lo, here is Christ,</i> or, <i>Lo, he is there,</i> you know he
is in heaven, and will come again at the end of time, to judge the
world, and therefore <i>believe them not;</i> having received
<i>Christ,</i> be not drawn into the snares of any
<i>antichrist;</i> for <i>false Christs,</i> and <i>false prophets,
shall arise,</i>" <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.22" parsed="|Mark|13|22|0|0" passage="Mk 13:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. When the gospel kingdom was in the setting up, Satan
mustered all his force, to oppose it, and made use of all his
wiles; and God permitted it, for the trial of sincerity of some,
and the discovery of the hypocrisy of others, and the confusion of
those who rejected Christ, when he was offered to them. <i>False
Christs</i> shall <i>rise,</i> and false prophets that shall preach
them up; or such, as, though they pretend not to be Christs, set up
for <i>prophets,</i> and undertake to foretel things to come, and
they shall <i>show signs</i> and lying <i>wonders;</i> so early did
the <i>mystery of iniquity</i> begin to <i>work,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.2.7" parsed="|2Thess|2|7|0|0" passage="2Th 2:7">2 Thess. ii. 7</scripRef>. They <i>shall seduce,
if it were possible, the very elect;</i> so plausible shall their
pretences be, and so industrious shall they be to impose upon
people, that they shall drawn away many that were forward and
zealous professors of religion, many that were very likely to have
persevered; for nothing will be effectual to secure men but that
foundation of God which stands immovably sure, <i>The Lord knoweth
them that are his,</i> who shall be preserved when the faith of
some is overthrown, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.18-2Tim.2.19" parsed="|2Tim|2|18|2|19" passage="2Ti 2:18,19">2 Tim. ii. 18,
19</scripRef>. They <i>shall seduce, if it were possible, the very
elect;</i> but it is not possible to seduce them; the <i>election
shall obtain,</i> whoever are <i>blinded,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p31.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.7" parsed="|Rom|11|7|0|0" passage="Ro 11:7">Rom. xi. 7</scripRef>. But, in consideration hereof, let
the disciples be cautious whom they give credit to (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p31.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.23" parsed="|Mark|13|23|0|0" passage="Mk 13:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>); But <i>take ye
heed.</i> Christ knew that they were of the <i>elect,</i> who could
not possibly be <i>seduced,</i> and yet he said to them, <i>Take
heed.</i> An assurance of persevering, and cautions against
apostasy, will very well consist with each other. Though Christ
said to them, <i>Take heed,</i> it doth not therefore follow, that
their perseverance was doubtful, for they were kept by the power of
God; and though their perseverance was secured, yet it doth not
therefore follow, that this caution was needless, because they must
be kept in the use of proper means. God will keep them, but they
must keep themselves. "<i>I have foretold you all things;</i> have
foretold you of this danger, that, being <i>fore-warned,</i> you
may be <i>fore-armed;</i> I have foretold <i>all things</i> which
you needed to have foretold to you, and therefore take heed of
hearkening to such as pretend to be prophets, and to foretel more
than I have foretold." The sufficiency of the scripture is good
argument against listening to such as pretend to inspiration.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xiv-p31.6" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.24-Mark.13.27" parsed="|Mark|13|24|13|27" passage="Mr 13:24-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.13.24-Mark.13.27">
<h4 id="Mark.xiv-p31.7">The Afflictions of the Jews
Foretold.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xiv-p32">24 But in those days, after that tribulation,
the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
  25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that
are in heaven shall be shaken.   26 And then shall they see
the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
  27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather
together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of
the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p33">These verses seem to point at Christ's
second coming, to judge the world; the disciples, in their
question, had confounded the <i>destruction</i> of Jerusalem and
the <i>end of the world</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.3" parsed="|Matt|24|3|0|0" passage="Mt 24:3">Matt.
xxiv. 3</scripRef>), which was built upon a mistake, as if the
temple must needs stand as long as the world stands; this mistake
Christ rectifies, and shows that the <i>end of the world in those
days,</i> those other days you enquire about, the day of Christ's
coming, and the day of judgment, shall be <i>after that
tribulation,</i> and not coincident with it. Let those who live to
see the Jewish nation destroyed, take heed of thinking that,
because the Son of man doth not visibly come in the clouds
<i>then,</i> he will never <i>so</i> come; no, he will come
<i>after that.</i> And here he foretels,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p34">1. The final dissolution of the present
frame and fabric of the world; even of that part of it which seems
least liable to change, the upper part, the pure and more refined
part; <i>The sun shall be darkened,</i> and the <i>moon</i> shall
no more <i>give her light;</i> for they shall be quite outshone by
the glory of the Son of man, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.24.23" parsed="|Isa|24|23|0|0" passage="Isa 24:23">Isa.
xxiv. 23</scripRef>. The <i>stars of heaven,</i> that from the
beginning had kept their place and regular motion, shall fall as
leaves in autumn; and the <i>powers that are in heaven,</i> the
heavenly bodies, the fixed stars, <i>shall be shaken.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p35">2. The visible appearance of the Lord
Jesus, to whom the judgment of that day shall be committed
(<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.26" parsed="|Mark|13|26|0|0" passage="Mk 13:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>); <i>Then
shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds.</i> Probably he
will come over that very place where he sat when he said this; for
the clouds are in the lower region of the air. He shall come with
<i>great power and glory,</i> such as will be suited to the errand
on which he comes. <i>Every eye shall then see him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p36">3. The gathering together of all the elect
to him (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.27" parsed="|Mark|13|27|0|0" passage="Mk 13:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>); He
shall <i>send his angels,</i> and <i>gather together his elect</i>
to him, to <i>meet him in the air,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p36.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.17" parsed="|1Thess|4|17|0|0" passage="1Th 4:17">1 Thess. iv. 17</scripRef>. They shall be fetched from
one end of the world to the other, so that none shall be missing
from that <i>general</i> assembly; they shall be fetched <i>from
the uttermost part of the earth,</i> most remote from the places
where Christ's tribunal shall be set, and shall be brought to the
<i>uttermost part of heaven;</i> so sure, so swift, so easy, shall
their conveyance be, that there shall none of them miscarry, though
they were to be brought from the uttermost part of the earth one
way, to the uttermost part of the heaven another way. A faithful
Israelite shall be carried safely, though it were from the utmost
border of the land of bondage to the utmost border of the land of
promise.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Mark.xiv-p36.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.28-Mark.13.37" parsed="|Mark|13|28|13|37" passage="Mr 13:28-37" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Mark.13.28-Mark.13.37">
<h4 id="Mark.xiv-p36.4">Watchfulness Inculcated.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Mark.xiv-p37">28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her
branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer
is near:   29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these
things come to pass, know that it is nigh, <i>even</i> at the
doors.   30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall
not pass, till all these things be done.   31 Heaven and earth
shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.   32 But of
that day and <i>that</i> hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels
which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.   33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
  34 <i>For the Son of man is</i> as a man taking a far
journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants,
and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
  35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of
the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing,
or in the morning:   36 Lest coming suddenly he find you
sleeping.   37 And what I say unto you I say unto all,
Watch.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p38">We have here the application of this
prophetical sermon; <i>now learn</i> to look forward in a right
manner.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p39">I. "As to the <i>destruction</i> of
Jerusalem, <i>expect</i> it to come very <i>shortly;</i> as when
the <i>branch of the fig-tree becomes soft,</i> and the <i>leaves
sprout forth,</i> ye expect that summer will come shortly,
<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.28" parsed="|Mark|13|28|0|0" passage="Mk 13:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. When second
causes begin to work, ye expect their effects in their proper order
and time. So when <i>ye see these things come to pass,</i> when ye
see the Jewish nation embroiled in wars, distracted by false
Christs and prophets, and drawing upon them the displeasure of the
Romans, especially when ye see them persecuting you for your
Master's sake, and thereby standing to what they did when they put
him to death, and repeating it, and so filling up the measure of
their iniquity, then say that their <i>ruin is nigh, even at the
door,</i> and provide for yourselves accordingly." The disciples
themselves were indeed all of them, except John, taken away from
the evil to come, but the next generation whom they were to train
up, would live to see it; and by these instructions which Christ
left behind him would be kept from sharing in it; "<i>This
generation</i> that is now rising up, shall not all be worn off
before <i>all these things</i> come to pass, which I have told you
of, relating to Jerusalem, and they shall begin to take effect now
shortly. And as this destruction is near and within ken, so it is
sure. The decree is gone forth, it is a <i>consummation
determined,</i>" <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:Dan.9.27" parsed="|Dan|9|27|0|0" passage="Da 9:27">Dan. ix.
27</scripRef>. Christ doth not speak these things, merely to
frighten them; no, they are declarations of God's fixed purpose;
"<i>Heaven and earth shall pass away,</i> at the end of time; but
<i>my words shall not pass away</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p39.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.31" parsed="|Mark|13|31|0|0" passage="Mk 13:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), not one of these predictions
shall fail of a punctual accomplishment."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p40">II. "As to the <i>end of the world,</i> do
not enquire when it will come, for it is not a question fit to be
asked, for of <i>that day,</i> and <i>that hour, knoweth no
man;</i> it is a thing at a great distance; the exact time is fixed
in the counsel of God, but is not revealed by any word of God,
either to <i>men</i> on earth, or to <i>angels in heaven;</i> the
angels shall have timely notice to prepare to attend in that day,
and it shall be published, when it comes to the children of men,
with sound of trumpet; but, at present, <i>men</i> and
<i>angels</i> are kept in the dark concerning the precise time of
it, that they may both attend to their proper services in the
present day." But it follows, <i>neither the Son;</i> but is there
any thing which the Son is ignorant of? We read indeed of a book
which was sealed, till the Lamb opened the seals; but did not he
know what was in it, before the seals were opened? Was not he privy
to the writing of it? There were those in the primitive times, who
taught from this text, that there were some things that Christ, as
man, was <i>ignorant</i> of; and from these were called
<i>Agnoetæ;</i> they said, "It was no more absurd to say so, than
to say that his human soul suffered grief and fear;" and many of
the orthodox fathers approved of this. Some would evade it, by
saying that Christ spoke this in a way of prudential economy, to
divert the disciples from further enquiry: but to this one of the
ancients answers, <i>It is not fit to speak too nicely in this
matter</i>—<b><i>ou dei pany akribologein</i></b>, so Leontius in
Dr. Hammond, "It is certain (says Archbishop Tillotson) that
Christ, as God, could not be ignorant of any thing; but the divine
wisdom which dwelt in our Saviour, did communicate itself to his
human soul, according to the divine pleasure, so that his human
nature might sometimes not know some things; therefore Christ is
said to grow in wisdom (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.52" parsed="|Luke|2|52|0|0" passage="Lu 2:52">Luke ii.
52</scripRef>), which he could not be said to do, if the human
nature of Christ did necessarily know all things by virtue of its
union with the divinity." Dr. Lightfoot explains it thus; Christ
calls himself the Son, as Messiah. Now the Messiah, as such, was
the father's servant (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p40.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.42.1" parsed="|Isa|42|1|0|0" passage="Isa 42:1">Isa. xlii.
1</scripRef>), sent and deputed by him, and as such a one he refers
himself often to his Father's will and command, and owns he <i>did
nothing of himself</i> (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p40.3" osisRef="Bible:John.5.19" parsed="|John|5|19|0|0" passage="Joh 5:19">John v.
19</scripRef>); in like manner he might be said to <i>know nothing
of himself.</i> The revelation of Jesus Christ was what <i>God gave
unto him,</i> <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p40.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.1" parsed="|Rev|1|1|0|0" passage="Re 1:1">Rev. i. 1</scripRef>. He
thinks, therefore, that we are to distinguish between those
excellencies and perfections of his, which resulted from the
personal union between the divine and human nature, and those which
flowed from the anointing of the Spirit; from the former flowed the
infinite dignity of his perfect freedom from all sin; but from the
latter flowed his power of working miracles, and his foreknowledge
of things to come. What therefore (saith he) was to be revealed by
him to his church, he was pleased to take, not from the union of
the human nature with the divine, but from the revelation of the
Spirit, by which he yet knew not this, but <i>the Father</i> only
knows it; that is, God only, the Deity; for (as Archbishop
Tillotson explains it) it is not used here <i>personally,</i> in
distinction from the Son and the Holy Ghost, but as the Father is,
<i>Fons et Principium Deitatis</i>—<i>The Fountain of
Deity.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p41">III. "As to both, your duty is to <i>watch
and pray.</i> Therefore the time is kept a secret, that you may be
engaged to stand always upon your guard (<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p41.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.33" parsed="|Mark|13|33|0|0" passage="Mk 13:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>); <i>Take ye heed</i> of every
thing that would indispose you for your Master's coming, and would
render your accounts <i>perplexed,</i> and your spirits so too;
<i>watch</i> for his coming, that it may not at any time be a
surprise to you, and <i>pray</i> for that grace which is necessary
to qualify you for it, for <i>ye know not when the time is;</i> and
you are concerned to be ready for that <i>every day,</i> which may
come <i>any day.</i>" This he illustrates, in the close, by a
parable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p42">1. Our Master is gone away, and left us
something in trust, in charge, which we must give account of,
<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.34" parsed="|Mark|13|34|0|0" passage="Mk 13:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. He is <i>as a
man taking a far journey;</i> for he is gone to be away a great
while, he has <i>left his house</i> on earth, and left his servants
in their offices, given <i>authority</i> to some, who are to be
overseers, and <i>work</i> to others, who are to be labourers. They
that have <i>authority</i> given them, in that had <i>work</i>
assigned them, for those that have the greatest <i>power</i> have
the most <i>business;</i> and to them to whom he gave <i>work,</i>
he gave some sort of <i>authority,</i> to do that work. And when he
took his last leave, he <i>appointed the porter to watch,</i> to be
sure to be ready to open to him at his return; and in the mean time
to take care to whom he opened his gates, not to thieves and
robbers, but only to his Master's friends and servants. Thus our
Lord Jesus, when he <i>ascended on high,</i> left something for all
his servants to do, expecting they should all do him service in his
absence, and be ready to receive him at his return. <i>All</i> are
appointed to work, and some authorized to rule.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Mark.xiv-p43">2. We ought to be always upon our watch, in
expectation of his return, <scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.35-Mark.13.37" parsed="|Mark|13|35|13|37" passage="Mk 13:35-37"><i>v.</i> 35-37</scripRef>. (1.) Our Lord <i>will
come,</i> and will come as the <i>Master of the house,</i> to take
account of his servants, of their work, and of the improvement they
have made. (2.) We know not <i>when he will come;</i> and he has
very wisely kept us at uncertainty, that we might all be always
ready. We know not <i>when he will come,</i> just at what precise
time; the <i>Master of the house</i> perhaps will come <i>at
even,</i> at nine at night; or it may be <i>at midnight,</i> or a
<i>cock-crowing,</i> at three in the morning, or perhaps not until
six. This is applicable to his coming to us in particular, at our
death, as well as to the general judgment. Our present life is a
<i>night,</i> a dark night, compared with the other life; we know
not in which watch of the night our Master will come, whether in
the days of youth, or middle age, or old age; but, as soon as we
are born, we begin to die, and therefore, as soon as we are capable
of expecting any thing, we must expect death. (3.) Our great care
must be, that, whenever our Lord comes, he do not <i>find us
sleeping,</i> secure in ourselves, off our guard, indulging
ourselves in ease and sloth, mindless of our work and duty, and
thoughtless of our Lord's coming; <i>ready</i> to say, He will not
come, and <i>unready</i> to meet him. (4.) His coming will indeed
be <i>coming suddenly;</i> it will be a great <i>surprise</i> and
<i>terror</i> to those that are careless, and asleep, it will come
upon them as a thief in the night. (5.) It is therefore the
indispensable duty of all Christ's disciples, to <i>watch,</i> to
be awake, and keep awake; "<i>What I say unto you</i> four
(<scripRef id="Mark.xiv-p43.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.13.37" parsed="|Mark|13|37|0|0" passage="Mk 13:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>), I <i>say
unto all</i> the twelve, or rather to <i>you</i> twelve, I say unto
all my disciples and followers; what I say to you of this
generation, I say to all that shall believe in men, through your
word, in every age, <i>Watch, watch,</i> expect my second coming,
prepare for it, that you may be found in peace, without spot, and
blameless."</p>
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