There is a line from movie from 20 years ago: You are who you choose to be. In Mark 13, Yashua uses his teaching on the end of days to remind us that we choose how we react to the chaos and destruction of a fallen world.
In Mark 13, Yashua is nearing the end of his ministry. He has an important message for his disciples: WATCH! In this message Yashua foretells of things to come: the fall of Jerusalem and the second coming of the Son of Adam.
That layer of meaning is probably one we are familiar with. When we examine the language used, and the structure of the message, we see there is so much more!
First, Yashua used the phrase “at the door.” This phrase is used 20 times in Scripture, perfectly divided between the Tanak and the Brit Ha’Dashah. This term hales back to Genesis 4 when YHWH warns Cain “sin is crouching at the door.” When taken as a whole, this phrase implies we have two options – sin or Yashua. The use of this phrase in the text, reminds us that we there is door and we choose to enter or remain outside.
Secondly, the chiastic points to the idea of knowing the end from the beginning. “YHWH does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) And, “declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done,” (Isa 46:10).
At the beginning of this text, the disciples ask for a sign when the destruction shall come. According to Yashua’s response, one answer is, “Look to the beginning!”
In the beginning, Eve chose the false teacher, ha’satan, over YHWH. The result was expulsion from the garden. Again, Cain chose sin (ha’satan) over YHWH. The result was expulsion from his family land.
Now and in the future, we are given that same choice – false teachers or Yashua. The result will be access to the new garden or expulsion thereof.
With our time on earth, we can choose Yashua. If we do, our mission is to share the message of choice to a fallen world. We can choose fear and anger and perpetuate that world, or we can help build a new kingdom on earth based on Yashua’s prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
You are who you choose to be. Choose.
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