They are words that cause me to pause. As I hover over them, I ask myself, “Do I really believe that? And if I do, what difference should it be making?” Jesus wanted His disciples to get it . . . He wants His church to get it too. The Lord shared it, not to tickle some intellectual desire to speculate about prophetic events, but that it might impact how life is done. And if these words were intended to be impactful 2,000 years ago, how much more should they be today? If “summer was near” then, how much closer are we today? Truly, He is at the gates.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory . . . From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates.
(Mark 13:26, 28-29 ESV)

Sue and I have been doing a mini-series on the end-times with the high-schoolers in our Sunday school class . . . just scratching the surface. But if I think I know anything for sure, it’s that a consideration of the end times should impact how I live in the “now times.” No doubt, there’s value in recognizing the signs of the times . . . of trying to do some orienteering within the prophetic calendar . . . but when all is said and done, isn’t it about living within the context that He is at the gates?

Israel is widely seen to be the fig tree which Jesus said would put out its leaves. Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 is seen by many to have started the last leg of history prior to Christ’s promised return. And while we can debate the signs and the timing of events, isn’t it enough to know that summer is near?

And I think about the coming of the Son of Man. I try to envision Him in power and glory. I anticipate the reunion with the One who poured out His life for me. I chew on Mark’s words that “He is near” . . . that He is “at the very gates” . . . and I can’t help but do a bit of life check.

Am I living in the real anticipation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ? Not that I think I need to pack up, head to the hills, and wait on a mountain top for His arrival . . . but I should be living life with an “eye to the sky.”

Jesus says that no man knows the hour of His return . . . not even the Son, but only the Father (13:32) . . . but Jesus also says repeatedly that we should be “on guard” and “awake” (13:33, 35, 37). My King is at the gate . . . and I should be awake!

Life should be lived in the context of His promised return. The branch has started to leave . . . summer is near . . . and I should factor that in as I think about my priorities . . . my reasons for doing what I do . . . for pursuing what I pursue.

I don’t want to be surprised . . . or worse yet, ashamed. I want to be awake . . . I want to be ready . . . I want to be found doing what He wants me to do when He returns.

He is near . . . at the gates . . .

Oh, that I might be ready . . . that I might be awake . . . that I might be waiting . . . that I might be anticipating?

By His grace . . . For His glory . . .