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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A R K.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We have here the substance of that prophetical sermon which our Lord
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Jesus preached, pointing at the destruction of Jerusalem, and the
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consummation of all things; it was one of the last of his sermons, and
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not <I>ad populum</I>--to the people, but <I>ad clerum</I>--to the
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clergy; it was private, preached only to four of his disciples, with
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whom his secret was. Here is,
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I. The occasion of his prediction--his disciples' admiring the building
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of the temple
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>),
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and their enquiry concerning the time of the desolation of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:3,4">ver. 3, 4</A>.
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II. The predictions themselves,
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1. Of the rise of deceivers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:5,6,21-23">ver. 5, 6, 21-23</A>.
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2. Of the wars of the nations,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>.
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3. Of the persecution of Christians,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:9-13">ver. 9-13</A>.
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4. Of the destruction of Jerusalem,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:14-20">ver. 14-20</A>.
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5. Of the end of the world,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:24-27">ver. 24-27</A>.
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III. Some general intimations concerning the time of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:28-32">ver. 28-32</A>.
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IV. Some practical inferences from all,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:33-37">ver. 33-37</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mr13_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Destruction of the Temple Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith
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unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings
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<I>are here!</I>
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2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great
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buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that
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shall not be thrown down.
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3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the
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temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
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4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what <I>shall be</I> the
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sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We may here see,</P>
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<P>
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I. How apt many of Christ's own disciples are to idolize things that
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look <I>great,</I> and have been long looked upon as <I>sacred.</I>
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They had heard Christ complain of those who had made the temple a
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<I>den of thieves;</I> and yet, when he quitted it, for the wickedness
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that remained in it, they court him to be as much in love as they were
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with the stately structure and adorning of it. One of them said to him,
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"Look, Master, <I>what manner of stones, and what buildings are
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here,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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We never saw the like in Galilee; O do not leave this fine place."</P>
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<P>
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II. How little Christ values external pomp, where there is not real
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purity; "<I>Seest thou these great buildings</I>" (saith Christ), "and
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admirest thou them? I tell thee, the time is at hand when <I>there
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shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown
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down,</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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And the sumptuousness of the fabric shall be no security to it, no nor
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move any compassion in the Lord Jesus towards it. He looks with
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<I>pity</I> upon the ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, for
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on them he has put great value; but we do not find him look with any
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pity upon the ruin of a magnificent house, when he is driven out of it
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by sin, for that is of small value with him. With what little concern
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doth he say, <I>Not one stone shall be left on another!</I> Much of the
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strength of the temple lay in the largeness of the stones, and if these
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be thrown down, no footstep, no remembrance, of it will remain. While
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any part remained standing, there might be some hopes of the repair of
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it; but what hope is there, when not one stone is <I>left upon
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another?</I></P>
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<P>
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III. How natural it is to us to desire to know things to come, and the
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times of them; more inquisitive we are apt to be about that than about
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our duty. His disciples knew not how to <I>digest</I> this doctrine of
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the ruin of the temple, which they thought must be their Master's royal
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palace, and in which they expected their preferment, and to have the
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posts of honour; and therefore they were in pain till they got him
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alone, and got more out of him concerning this matter. As he was
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returning to Bethany therefore, he <I>sat upon the mount of Olives,
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over against the temple,</I> where he had a full view of it; and there
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four of them agreed to <I>ask him privately,</I> what he meant by the
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destroying of the temple, which they understood no more than they did
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the predictions of his own death, so inconsistent was it with their
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scheme. Probably, though these four proposed the question, yet Christ's
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discourse, in answer to it, was in the hearing of the rest of the
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disciples, yet <I>privately,</I> that is, apart from the multitude.
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Their enquiry is, <I>When shall these things be?</I> They will not
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question, at least not seem to question, whether they shall be or no
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(for their Master has said that they shall), but are willing to hope it
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is a great way off. Yet they ask not precisely the day and year
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(therein they were modest), but say, "Tell us <I>what shall be the
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sign, when all these things shall be fulfilled?</I> What presages shall
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there be of them, and how may we prognosticate their approach?"</P>
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<A NAME="Mr13_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mr13_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Great Afflictions Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any
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<I>man</I> deceive you:
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6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am <I>Christ;</I> and
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shall deceive many.
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7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not
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troubled: for <I>such things</I> must needs be; but the end <I>shall</I>
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not <I>be</I> yet.
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8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
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kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and
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there shall be famines and troubles: these <I>are</I> the beginnings
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of sorrows.
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9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to
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councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall
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be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony
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against them.
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10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
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11 But when they shall lead <I>you,</I> and deliver you up, take no
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thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye
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premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that
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speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
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12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the
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father the son; and children shall rise up against <I>their</I>
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parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
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13 And ye shall be hated of all <I>men</I> for my name's sake: but
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he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Our Lord Jesus, in reply to their question, sets himself, not so much
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to satisfy their curiosity as to direct their consciences; leaves them
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still in the dark concerning the <I>times</I> and <I>seasons,</I> which
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the father has <I>kept in his own power,</I> and which <I>it was not
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for them to know;</I> but gives them the cautions which were needful,
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with reference to the events that should now shortly come to pass.</P>
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<P>
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I. They must take heed that they be not <I>deceived</I> by the
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<I>seducers</I> and <I>imposters</I> that should now shortly arise
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>);
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"<I>Take heed lest any man deceive you,</I> lest, having found the
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<I>true Messiah,</I> you lose him again in the crowd of
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<I>pretenders,</I> or be inveigled to embrace others in rivalship with
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him. Many shall come <I>in my name</I> (not in the name of
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<I>Jesus</I>), but saying, <I>I am the Christ,</I> and so claiming the
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dignities which I only an entitled to." After the Jews had rejected the
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true Christ, they were imposed upon, and so <I>ex</I>posed by many
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false Christs, but never before; those false Christs <I>deceived
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many;</I> Therefore <I>take heed lest they deceive you.</I> Note, When
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many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to
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ourselves.</P>
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<P>
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II. They must take heed that they be not <I>disturbed</I> at the noise
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of wars, which they should be alarmed with,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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Sin introduced <I>wars,</I> and they come <I>from men's lusts.</I> But
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at some times the nations are more distracted and wasted with wars than
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at other times; so it shall be now; Christ was born into the world when
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there was a general peace, but soon after he went out of the world
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there were general wars; <I>Nation shall rise against nation, and
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kingdom against kingdom.</I> And what will become of them then who are
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to preach the gospel to every nation? <I>Inter arma silent
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leges--Amidst the clash of arms, the voice of law is not heard.</I>
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"But <I>be not troubled at it.</I>"
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1. "Let it be no <I>surprise</I> to you; you are bid to expect it, and
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<I>such things must needs be,</I> for God has appointed them, in order
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to further accomplishment of his purposes, and by the <I>wars of the
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Jews</I>" (which Josephus has given us a large account of) "God will
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punish the <I>wickedness of the Jews.</I>"
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2. "Let it be no <I>terror</I> to you, as if your interest were in
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danger of being overthrown, or your work obstructed by these wars; you
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have no concern in them, and therefore need not be apprehensive of any
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damage by them." Note, Those that despise the smiles of the world, and
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do not court and covet them, may despise the frowns of the world, and
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need not fear them. If we seek not to rise with them that <I>rise in
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the world,</I> why should we dread falling with them that fall in the
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world?
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3. "Let it not be looked upon as an omen of the approaching period of
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the world, for the <I>end is not yet,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Think not that these <I>wars</I> will bring the world to a period; no,
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there are other intermediate counsels to be fulfilled betwixt that end
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and the end of all things, which are designed to prepare you for the
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end, but not to hasten it out of due time."
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4. "Let it not be looked upon as if in them God has done his worst; no,
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he has more arrows in his quiver, and they are <I>ordained against the
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persecutors;</I> be not troubled at the wars you shall hear of, for
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they are but <I>the beginnings of sorrows,</I> and therefore, instead
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of being disturbed at <I>them,</I> you ought to <I>prepare for
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worse;</I> for there shall also be <I>earthquakes in divers places,</I>
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which shall bury multitudes in the ruins of their own houses, and there
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<I>shall be famines,</I> by which many of the poor shall perish for
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want of bread, and <I>troubles</I> and commotions; so that there shall
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be no peace to him that <I>goes out</I> or <I>comes in.</I> The world
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shall be full of <I>troubles,</I> but <I>be not ye troubled;</I>
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without are <I>fightings,</I> within are <I>fears,</I> but <I>fear not
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ye their fear.</I>" Note, The disciples of Christ, if it be not their
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own fault, may enjoy a holy security and serenity of mind, when all
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about them is in the greatest disorder.</P>
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<P>
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III. They must take heed that they be not <I>drawn away</I> from
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Christ, and from their duty to him, by the sufferings they should meet
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with for Christ's sake. Again, he saith, "<I>Take heed to
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yourselves,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Though you may escape the <I>sword of war,</I> better than some of your
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neighbours, because you interest not yourselves in the public quarrels,
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yet be not secure; you will be exposed to the <I>sword of justice</I>
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more than others, and the parties that contend with one another, will
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unite against you. <I>Take heed</I> therefore lest you <I>deceive</I>
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yourselves with the hopes of outward prosperity, and such a temporal
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kingdom as you have been dreaming of, when it is <I>through many
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tribulations</I> that <I>you must enter into the kingdom of God.</I>
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Take heed lest you needlessly expose yourselves to trouble, and pull it
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upon your own head. <I>Take heed</I> what you say and do, for you will
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have many eyes upon you." Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. What the trouble is which they must expect.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) They shall be <I>hated of all men;</I> trouble enough! The
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thoughts of <I>being hated</I> are grievous to a tender spirit, and the
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fruits of that hatred must needs be a constant vexation; those that are
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<I>malicious,</I> will be <I>mischievous.</I> It was not for any thing
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amiss in them, or done amiss by them, that they were <I>hated,</I> but
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for Christ's name sake, because they were called by his name, called
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upon his name, preached his name, and wrought miracles in his name. The
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world hated them because he loved them.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) Their own <I>relations</I> shall <I>betray them,</I> those to whom
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they were most nearly allied, and on whom therefore they depended for
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protection; "They <I>shall betray you,</I> shall inform against you,
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and be your prosecutors." If a father has a child that is a Christian,
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he shall become void of natural affection, it shall be swallowed up in
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bigotry, and he shall betray his own child to the persecutors, as if he
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were a worshipper of other gods,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+13:6-10">Deut. xiii. 6-10</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) Their <I>church-rulers</I> shall inflict <I>their censures</I>
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upon them; "You shall be <I>delivered up</I> to the great Sanhedrim at
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Jerusalem, and to the inferior courts and consistories in other cities,
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and shall be <I>beaten in the synagogues</I> with forty stripes at a
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time, as offenders against the law which was read in the synagogue." It
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is no new thing for the church's artillery, through the treachery of
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its officers, to be turned against some of its best friends.</P>
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<P>
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(4.) <I>Governors</I> and <I>kings</I> shall use their power against
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them. Because the Jews have not power to put them to death, they shall
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incense the Roman powers against them, as they did Herod against James
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and Peter; and they shall <I>cause you to be put to death,</I> as
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enemies to the empire. They must resist unto blood, and still
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resist.</P>
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<P>
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2. What they shall have to comfort themselves with, in the midst of
|
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these great and sore troubles.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) That the work they were called to should be carried on and
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|
prosper, notwithstanding all this opposition which they should meet
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with in it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
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"<I>The gospel</I> shall, for all this, be <I>published among all
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nations,</I> and before the destruction of Jerusalem the <I>sound</I>
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|
of it shall <I>go forth into all the earth;</I> not only through all
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|
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
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crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot; it shall keep its ground,
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|
and carry the day.</P>
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<P>
|
|
|
|
(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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<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>
|
|
|
|
(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>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:17">Matt. x. 17</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Destruction of the Temple Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:15">1 Thess. ii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within
|
|
less than forty years after this: we had it before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:15">Matt. xxiv. 15</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. What is here foretold concerning it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+7:16">Isa. vii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:27"><I>ch.</I> ix. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+1:10">Lam. i. 10</A>,
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
3. That it would go very hard at that time with poor mothers and nurses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
<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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:22">Isa. x. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that God would not, for his servants' sakes, <I>destroy them
|
|
all</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:8">Isa. lxvi. 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
and these promises must be fulfilled. God's own <I>elect cry day and
|
|
night to him,</I> and their prayers must be answered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+18:7">Luke xviii. 7</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What directions are given to the disciples with reference to
|
|
it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:7">2 Thess. ii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:18,19">2 Tim. ii. 18, 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:7">Rom. xi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
But, in consideration hereof, let the disciples be cautious whom they
|
|
give credit to
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Afflictions of the Jews Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:3">Matt. xxiv. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+24:23">Isa. xxiv. 23</A>.
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The <I>stars of heaven,</I> that from the beginning had kept their
|
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place and regular motion, shall fall as leaves in autumn; and the
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|
<I>powers that are in heaven,</I> the heavenly bodies, the fixed stars,
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|
<I>shall be shaken.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. The visible appearance of the Lord Jesus, to whom the judgment of
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|
that day shall be committed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>);
|
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<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>
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<P>
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3. The gathering together of all the elect to him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>);
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He shall <I>send his angels,</I> and <I>gather together his elect</I>
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|
to him, to <I>meet him in the air,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+4:17">1 Thess. iv. 17</A>.
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They shall be fetched from one end of the world to the other, so that
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|
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>
|
|
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_29"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_30"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_31"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_32"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mr13_34"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_35"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_36"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Mr13_37"> </A>
|
|
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<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
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|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Watchfulness Inculcated.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
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</TABLE>
|
|
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<P>
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|
<FONT SIZE=+1>28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet
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|
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
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|
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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the application of this prophetical sermon; <I>now
|
|
learn</I> to look forward in a right manner.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:27">Dan. ix. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
not one of these predictions shall fail of a punctual
|
|
accomplishment."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:52">Luke ii. 52</A>),
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+42:1">Isa. xlii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:19">John v. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:1">Rev. i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>);
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
1. Our Master is gone away, and left us something in trust, in charge,
|
|
which we must give account of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
2. We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of his return,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:35-37"><I>v.</I> 35-37</A>.
|
|
|
|
(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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
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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