Wake Up: Preparing for Jesus' Return and Revival

Mark 13 puts the question of Jesus’ return right in front of the disciples, but Jesus refuses to give them a date to circle on the calendar. Jesus turns their hunger for speculation into a call for preparation. Jesus is coming back, and that is not a myth, an emotional crutch, or a side issue. Jesus’ return means that every conversation, every relationship, and every opportunity to point somebody toward Him matters.

Jesus warns first, “Don’t be deceived.” Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, and a world getting darker are birth pains, not a secret code for figuring out the exact day. Jesus tells His people not to be alarmed because the world may be shaking, but God has not lost control. God’s Word outlasts every building, every system, every thing that looks permanent. Heaven and earth will pass away, but Christ’s words will not.

Jesus also makes it clear that faithfulness will cost something. The gospel must be proclaimed to all nations, even when hatred, pressure, and persecution come with it. The Holy Spirit does not leave believers to manufacture the perfect words when they stand before opposition. The Holy Spirit speaks through those who depend on Him. The church does not have permission to hide while the world is hurting. God calls His people to be in the world without becoming like the world, carrying the difference of Christ into places where people are lost.

Jesus warns about false Christs, false prophets, and even signs and wonders that can pull people away from truth. Counterfeit faith gets exposed by knowing the real thing. God’s Word, Christ’s character, and the true gospel must become so familiar that what is off becomes obvious. The danger is not only outside deception. Hope can also slip away from the inside. Jesus Christ is living hope, so losing hope is, in a real sense, letting go of Jesus.

Jesus’ return is not terror for those who belong to Him. Jesus came first in humility, wearing a crown of thorns and standing under human judgment. Jesus will return in power and glory as the Judge, the King, and the One who gathers His people. Every injustice will be answered, every enemy defeated, and every promise fulfilled. The church is not merely waiting for an event. The church is waiting for a Person.

Jesus closes with the command to stay awake. The unknown hour keeps people from waiting until the last minute to clean up their lives. Comfortable Christianity is like trying to stay awake while holding onto a chair. Spiritual wakefulness requires getting up, moving, and doing the work God has given. People are spiritually asleep in burning houses, and the gospel is the alarm. Jesus is coming, people need Jesus, and there is work to do.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Preparation matters more than prediction. Jesus does not hand His disciples a timeline to decode. Jesus gives them a life to live while they wait: faithful, alert, steady, and busy with the gospel. The unknown day is mercy because it calls for real surrender now instead of a last-minute cleanup later. [79:58]
• 2. Know the real thing deeply. Counterfeit money is recognized by studying genuine currency, not by obsessing over every fake. God’s Word and the real Jesus must become familiar enough that twisted truth, silver-tongued voices, and false hope are quickly recognized. Deception gets stronger wherever biblical confidence gets weaker. [61:27]
• 3. Christians do not panic in crisis. Wars, disasters, and darkness do not mean God has surrendered control. Jesus calls His people to have level heads because their God remains strong, peaceful, and fully sovereign. Fearful headlines should lead to faithful readiness, not frantic speculation. [50:00]
• 4. The church cannot hide from hurting people. The gospel must be proclaimed to all nations, even when obedience brings rejection. Christ’s people are called to be around those who are far from God without blending into what keeps them far from God. Love that never risks discomfort leaves people asleep in danger. [54:57]
• 5. Wake up and wake others. Spiritual sleep often looks like comfort, complacency, and assuming somebody else will carry the mission. Jesus calls His people to get out of the chair, get out of bed, and move toward those who need the alarm. People heading toward eternal separation from God need more than casual concern.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [32:29] - Jesus Is Coming Back
• [34:14] - Preparation, Not Speculation
• [38:14] - There Is Work To Do
• [41:27] - Mark 13 and the Temple Warning
• [44:09] - Don’t Be Deceived
• [47:19] - Birth Pains and a Shaking World
• [51:15] - Persecution and the Holy Spirit
• [54:57] - The Church Cannot Hide
• [56:33] - The Antichrist and False Christs
• [63:01] - Don’t Lose Hope
• [64:17] - Christ Returns in Glory
• [72:06] - Waiting for a Person
• [73:52] - Stay Awake
• [83:07] - Wake Up and Wake Others

Bible Reading

Mark 13
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“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. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” [32:29]

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [01:03:40]

Ephesians 5:14
for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [01:25:19]

Observation questions

1. What are the first two warnings Jesus gives after the disciples ask about signs: what does He say about deception, and what does He say about wars and disasters? [45:14]
2. In Mark 13, what mission does Jesus place right in the middle of His warnings about persecution and opposition?
3. What kinds of people and experiences does Jesus say may be used to lead people astray, even people who think they are following God? [59:18]
4. In Jesus’ picture of the master leaving his servants in charge, what are the servants and the doorkeeper told to do while they wait? [01:20:17]

Interpretation questions

1. Jesus says that wars, earthquakes, and famines are “birth pains,” but also says, “Do not be alarmed.” How does that keep believers from ignoring suffering on one hand and panicking over every headline on the other? [50:18]
2. Why might Jesus refuse to give the day or hour of His return? How does not knowing the date call believers to real faithfulness now instead of last-minute cleanup? [01:18:54]
3. Jesus says false christs and false prophets may even use signs and wonders. Why is knowing God’s Word and the real character of Jesus a stronger protection than simply chasing impressive experiences? [01:01:27]
4. According to 1 Peter 1:3, Christian hope is “living” because it is tied to the risen Jesus. How does that make Christ’s return a source of hope rather than terror for those who belong to Him? [01:09:06]

Application questions

1. When upsetting news, conflict, disaster, or uncertainty hits, what is your usual response—fear, endless speculation, avoidance, prayer, or steady trust? What would it look like for you to have a level head because God has not lost control? [51:15]
2. Is there a voice, online source, habit, or message that is shaping your thinking more than Scripture lately? What practical step could help you become more familiar with the real Jesus and His Word this week? [01:01:27]
3. Jesus says the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations. Who is one person in your everyday life—a family member, coworker, neighbor, or friend—who may need a clear and loving conversation about Jesus? What could be a faithful next step?
4. Following Jesus can bring discomfort or rejection. Where are you most tempted to stay quiet about your faith because you want to avoid losing approval? Ask God to help you depend on the Holy Spirit rather than trying to find perfect words on your own. [53:07]
5. Spiritual sleep can look like comfort, complacency, and assuming somebody else will carry the mission. Where might you be “holding onto the chair” instead of getting up and moving in obedience? [01:21:38]
6. Ephesians says, “Awake, O sleeper.” What spiritual practice has helped you stay awake to Jesus in the past—Scripture, prayer, worship, serving, confession, or Christian community? Which one do you need to return to this week? [01:25:19]
7. People who do not know Christ are not projects to fix; they are people Jesus loves. How can you show someone both the kindness and the urgency of the gospel in a way that is honest, gracious, and personal? [01:24:25]