WHO IS THE DOORKEEPER IN MARK 13?

The setting of Mark chapter 13 is Tuesday of the Passion Week of Our Lord Jesus Christ. After having told His disciples of the impending destruction of the Jerusalem temple, a private conversation took place between Jesus and 4 of His disciples, Peter, James, John and Andrew (13:3). They asked Jesus this question:

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4; cf. Matthew 24:3)

His disciples were as curious as many believers are today about future events. The following are the highlights of Our Lord’s response as recorded by Mark pertaining to the coming Tribulation period mentioned in Mark 13:19:

·        13:6 - He warns them that there will be many who will come in Christ’s name to purposely mislead us. Not just about the end times but perverters of doctrine. These are the false teachers warned by Peter (2 Peter 2) and Jude;

·        13:7 - There will be wars and rumors of wars;

·        13:8 - Earthquakes and famines;

·        13:9ff - Persecution for the faith;

·        13:12f - Family disruption/hatred by all.

Two things should be noted: First, during this future Tribulation period, all those who have believed in Christ (Christians) will have been removed from the earth in an event known as the Rapture of the Church. This is fully described by the Apostle Paul:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Second, Jesus’ presentation of these signs in Mark 131 was intended as a warning to the Jewish people of His day as well as for that actual day in the future. Since Christians will no longer be on the earth at this time, there will still be Jewish people present on the earth for whom this prophecy was intended. For those who will believe during this time of tribulation, they will have this information to guide them during these terrible days. Jesus declared when that the critical event occurs”

“But when you see the abomination of desolation2 standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14; cf. Luke 21:20–22)

Ryrie states that this “will occur at the midpoint [of the tribulation], when Antichrist (the abomination of desolation) demands to be worshiped.”3 Antichrist’s demand to be worshiped is explained by the Apostle Paul as he summarizes his scheme:

Who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

Application for Today

But not all of this passage pertains only to the Jewish people; some have application for believers today:

·        13:31 – Jesus proclaimed that even though the heavens and earth will pass away, He provides us with the assurance that His words will never pass away;

·        13:32 – No one but the Father knows the day or hour these events will unfold;

·        13:33 – And in case someone thinks they can figure out the appointed time, He assures us that “you do not know when” these events will come about.

But instead He advises: “Take heed, keep on the alert.”

The parable Jesus presents in verse 34 explains the manner in which believers today are to function.

“It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.” (Mark 13:34)

The man away on a journey is meant to be Jesus after His ascension to heaven; the slaves refer to believers—you and I. The Greek word for slaves is the same word used of those who are the bond-servants of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 1 Peter 2:16). In this illustration, the servants have been put in charge and are to undertake a work assignment, specifically, to be His witnesses for the gospel of salvation. By our words and our manner of life we are to ensure that the gospel of salvation is spread to “the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). For this mandate had been previously mentioned by Our Lord in this chapter:

“The gospel must first be preached to all the nations” (Mark 13:10; cf. Matthew 24:14)

Who is the Doorkeeper?

But there is one last remaining person in this parable: the doorkeeper.

The Greek word for doorkeeper is found only 4 times in the New Testament. Twice in John 18:16-17 where the doorkeeper is the slave-girl to whom Peter denied being Jesus’ disciple; once in John 10:3 where God the Father is represented as the doorkeeper opening the door for the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ to guide His believers; the final mention of a doorkeeper is here in Mark 13:34.

So, who is the doorkeeper?

Here it refers to the person who is to remain alert and ready to open the door for his masters’ return. The doorkeeper today for the Church of Jesus Christ is the pastor-teacher (Ephesians 4:11). Having been given this spiritual gift, he stands in the place of Christ on earth. The Apostle Peter gives them a solemn command:

Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness. (1 Peter 5:2)

 And the Apostle Paul explains that the manner in which they are to be “on the alert” is not to be inactive, but actively engaged in the work of the ministry. By "accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), they are to

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2)

 They are to teach God’s people the necessary doctrines that will sustain them and enable them to be effective witnesses of the gospel. We should be mindful of this when we are seeking a church to attend; inquiring if the pastor-teacher is actively tending to our spiritual (doctrinal) needs.

It is essential that we take note of Jesus’ concluding remark ‘to all’ in verse 37:

“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ” (Mark 13:37)

  

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[1] See also Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

[2] The Abomination of Desolation is described in Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.

[3] Ryrie, C. C. (1995). Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 update (Expanded ed.,). Chicago, IL: Moody Press, pp. 1604–1605 note.

 

© 2023 David M. Rossi

BOOK REVIEW: BEHOLD AND BECOME - JEREMY M. KIMBLE

 

Behold and Become: 

Reading Scripture for Transformation

Jeremy M. Kimble (2023)

Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 224pp.

Available at: Amazon.com and CBD.com

The title and subtitle of Kimble’s work in taken from 2 Corinthians 3:18:

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)

This is a study designed for the serious student of God’s Word. The first three chapters examine the fundamental theological characteristics of God’s Word: inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, clarity, necessity, sufficiency and authoritative.

The pivotal middle chapter augments the theology of the first three chapters and provides the believer with the essentials needed to understand the context of the final three chapters. The focus is on the efficacy of Scripture—the power it has to save and of transforming the life of the believer. This is the core of the thesis of this book: that Scripture in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit enables the believer in a meaningful way of beholding God’s glory and transforming their life. To insure that the reader understands the efficacy of Scripture the author offers numerous Biblical examples from God’s Word.

The final chapters place the proper emphasis upon the individual believers’ relationship and response to God’s Word; what the central role of Scripture in the local church; and the faithful preaching and leadership of the pastor of the local church.

It should be noted that this book tends to be highly technical, especially the middle chapter. Many without seminary degrees would be unable to comprehend the facets of theology related to Scripture or be able to possess the tools needed for the interpretation skills outlined. However, Behold and Become would be perfect for seminary undergraduates for their advancement in the ministry. The only regret is the lack of a complete bibliography and indices of Scripture and subject references.

 

© 2023 David M. Rossi

 

Note: Many thanks to Kregel Academic for the complimentary book for which I was able to provide this impartial review.

THE RESURRECTION & THE ROLLING STONE

There is an old saying: A rolling stone gathers no moss. It is attributed to Pubilius Syrus, a Syrian born author who lived in Rome (85-43 B.C.). A couple of interpretations to the meaning of the phrase have been suggested: a description of a person who moves around a lot making them free of responsibility; and  someone who moves around a lot, who does not put down roots or form attachments.1

In 1948, country singer-songwriter Leon Payne recorded Lost Highway2 developing the rolling stone concept in the lyrics:

  I'm a rolling stone, all alone and lost

For a life of sin, I have paid the cost...

And now I'm lost, too late to pray

  Lord, I've paid the cost on the lost highway.

This phrase was also employed by blues artist Muddy Waters in his 1950 recording, Rollin’ Stone. The song depicted a young wastrel and his reckless ways—his parents knew from the time of his birth that “he's gonna be a rollin’ stone.”3

It is also believed that the British rock group The Rolling Stones procured their name from this recording—as did the magazine Rolling Stone.4

In 1965, Bob Dylan recorded his #1 hit Like A Rolling Stone. The main figure of the song is portrayed as being destitute, and performed by Dylan “like a sneer twisting the corner of his mouth as he gloated over a hipster’s downfall.”5 Here is a sample of the chorus:

  About having to be scrounging for your next meal,

How does it feel?

To be without a home,

To be on your own,

With no direction home,

Like a complete unknown,

  Like a rolling stone?6

In 1971, the Motown group, the Temptations recorded the song, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, concerning a wayward father:

  Papa was a rollin’ stone,

Wherever he laid his hat was his home.

  And when he died, all he left us was alone.7

In literature, J.R.R. Tolkien, the well-known author of the Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings trilogy, characterized the wizard, Gandalf, as a “stone doomed to roll” and that of the merry woodsman, Tom Bombadil, as a “moss-gatherer.”8

Flash Backwards to Jerusalem, c. 33 A.D.

I had always thought of this phrase rolling stone to also mean something in a positive way—that if a person is active and does not lie around idly that they would not gather the dust of disuse and thus be a productive individual in life. It is probably because I equated the idea of a rolling stone with that one stone rolled away which had an unquestionably profound impact upon mankind.

Jesus Christ having been crucified just two days ago had been laid in a new tomb with a large stone rolled against the entrance way (Matthew 27:60). The chief priests and Pharisees convinced Pilate to set a guard to secure the tomb lest any of Jesus’ disciples should come and steal His body.

Then at dawn of the first day of the week, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave” (Matthew 28:1). On their way, they pondered “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3). But they soon discovered there was no need for them to have wondered:

And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (Matthew 28:2; cf. Luke 24:2)

What the earthquake had to do with the rolling away of the stone can only be deduced as having occurred as a result of the angel descending from heaven. With the stone rolled away by an angel, the women found the tomb to be empty. And just because Scripture stated that the stone was extremely large (Mark 16:4), it does not suggest that the angel moved the stone to facilitate Jesus’ exit from the tomb. Instead, the stone was rolled away so that Jesus’ disciples could see that He had indeed been resurrected from the dead—He had victory over death.

Just as His birth had been prophesied, His death and resurrection were also foretold by the Psalmist, King David:

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. (Psalm 16:10; cf. Acts 13:32-37)

Jesus also predicted that He would be “raised up” after having been scourged and crucified. He did so first in a figurative manner which confused the Jews:

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. (John 2:19–22)

And then with His disciples, He told them plainly:

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” (Matthew 20:18–19; cf. Matthew 16:21; 17:23; Luke 18:31-33)

Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so important to Christianity, as well as to mankind? The apostle Paul establishes why it is essential to our faith.

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:12–19)

Mind you, to merely assert that the resurrection is real simply to provide evidence to legitimize Christianity would be intellectual dishonesty. There is sufficient historical evidence to substantiate His resurrection from the dead. Josephus, the Jewish historian wrote:

Those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day.9

The Biblical writers maintain there were eyewitness accounts. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene (John 20:16) and then to His disciples numerous times after His resurrection:

To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)

Then there is the empty tomb, witnessed by Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other disciples (John 20:1-8). And the fact that Christ "appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time" as the Apostle Paul testified (1 Corinthians 15:6).

But not to forget, the stone rolled away—proof of the newness of life for those who trust in Him. A life with direction to an eternal home; we are no longer complete unknown individuals—for Christ knows us:

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.” (John 10:14; cf. 10:27)

But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. (1 Corinthians 8:3; cf. 2 Timothy 2:19)

Just as the Lord Jesus told the woman at the well:

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26)

Do you believe this?

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[1] https://nmk.world/rolling-stone-gathers-no-moss-origin-meaning-expansion-importance-5252. Retrieved March 2, 2022.

[2] https://www.wideopencountry.com/lost-highway-hank-williams/ Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[3] Copyright © Music Sales Corporation

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_rolling_stone_gathers_no_moss. Retrieved March 2, 2022.

[5] Gill, Andy (2011). Bob Dylan: Stories Behind the Songs 1962-69, London: Carlton Books, p.114

[6] Copyright © 1965 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1993 by Special Rider Music

[7] Copyright © 1972 by Stone Diamond Music Corp. (BMI)

[8] Tolkien, J.R.R. (1983). The Return of the King, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, p.279.

[9] Josephus, F. (1998). Josephus: The Complete Works [Whiston, W., ed.]. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 18.3.3, p. 576.

 

© 2023 David M. Rossi