I didn’t expect my fig tree to bear fruit in its second year, yet somehow it bloomed well past its growing season. By winter, I counted at least twenty figs. They never reached peak size nor did they ripen. The first frost left the fruit exposed on bare limbs where they remain.
The people in Jesus’s day wanted signs and wonders, miracles proving His divinity. As He hung on the cross, they still demanded proof. (John 10:24, Luke 23:37) John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus “are You the Messiah we’ve been looking for or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:20) Jesus even faced skepticism in Nazareth, saying, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them…”
(Mark 6:4-5)
So when Jesus’s closest followers “came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”
“Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you,” and then He taught them how to pay attention, what to look for, and how to keep from being fooled. (Matthew 24:4)
John referred to Jesus as the Word. (John 1:1) Jesus referred to Himself in His Revelation to John as the final Word.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 22:13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.22.13.NLT
So when Jesus began to teach His disciples, answering their questions away from the crowds, they paid close attention. On one occasion, the four fishermen, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, pulled Jesus aside to ask Him when the end would come, and Jesus answered,
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door.
However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!”
Mark 13:28-29, 32-33 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.13.28-33.NLT
To what lengths will God go to get our attention? God used a burning bush to get Moses’s attention while he was shepherding his father-in-law’s sheep, but another group of shepherds got an angel chorus.
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:9-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.2.9-14.NLT
I wonder just what the angels are privy to in heaven? Jesus very specifically said they do not know the time of the end, only the Father knows. Were messengers like Gabriel surprised when summoned and informed of the message they were sent to deliver? Before the angelic choir broke the silence that night, had there been mourning over the sending of the Son of God into the world, or were the angels even aware of the separation and sacrifice that would be required of Him in that moment? We do know that angels were sent to care for Jesus after His temptation (Matthew 4:11) and to open His tomb at his resurrection (Matthew 28:2)
Still there are things the angels long to know. “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
1 Peter 1:10-13 NIV
https://1peter.bible/1-peter-1-12
Peter was there when Jesus ascended. He heard the angels say, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.””
Acts 1:11 NIV
Advent is a time of watchful waiting for Messiah. We remember Christ come to earth as a baby, but we look forward to His returning with hope.
“You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!””
Mark 13:35-37 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.13.35-37.NLT
God went to great lengths to reveal Himself to us, and now He chooses to use our lives, our words, our actions to make Himself known. His final commission stands. We are His messengers.
“He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15 NIV
And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:3, 14 NLT
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