Mark 13:32-33 But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.… I. THE FACT OF LIFE'S UNCERTAINTY. But before I attempt to fix your thoughts on life's uncertainty, there are two other kindred facts which merit attention — the certainty of death, and the nearness of it. We know not when the time is. Death is an ambush. Hence the force of "Take ye heed, watch and pray." 1. Men full of laudable, anxious, active strife of business, have in one moment been called to their higher account, prepared or unprepared. 2. More fearful still is the subject, when we consider that not only are men called away from the midst of worldly business, but are taken in the very act of sin and rebellion against God. "The third day Noah entered into the ark, the flood came and took them all away." 3. Let it, however, be clearly understood, that no degree of morality, faith, or holiness, can wholly shield us from the stroke of sudden death. II. THE PLAIN PRACTICAL DUTY ARISING OUT OF IT — "Take ye heed," etc. A word in season. Many are heedless and unprepared to die. "Take ye heed," or you must needs miss heaven. Would we prepare to die — 1. Habitually believe in Christ. 2. Habitually commune with God. 3. Habitually aim at Christian consistency.Conclusion: 1. Address those who are obviously neither watching nor praying. Are there in the Church lukewarm professors? 2. You who are in the way to a blissful immortality. (B. Carvosso.) Parallel Verses KJV: But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. |
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