The Second Coming

“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” –Mark 13:37

         In preparing for the second coming, in Mark, Christ continually repeated two phrases; “take heed” and “watch.” Now, we must understand what “take heed” means. In the dictionary it states, “listen: listen and pay attention.” When Christ was speaking, He wasn’t messing around. He meant business. He was serious and wanted us to listen to Him and sincerely pay attention. He told us to “take heed,” of the deceivers that might try to deceive us. There will be those proclaiming to be Christ. There will also be those that will proclaim that there is no Christ at all. He also told us to “take heed” of the trials. We will be put through some trials, but we must pay attention and learn from them. If we curse them and don’t learn from them, we will not be preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ. Christ warns us that we will be cursed and even “beaten” for what we believe in. Christ also tells us to “take heed; behold, I have foretold you all things.” (Mark 13:23) Here He is telling us that we have the knowledge, we know the signs. We must take His words and apply them, learn from them and live them. Christ said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33)

                When Christ was talking to the disciples about the second coming He related a story about the fig tree. He said, “…of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Then affectionately He added, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”(Matt. 24)

                In the Doctrine and Covenants section 87 verse 8 it reads, “Wherefore, stand ye in hold places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.”  He has also said about the second coming, “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45:57)

                It is clear that the second coming is nigh. We have the words of Christ and we know what we need to be doing. Among the many things that we must do, above all we need to continue to “take heed,” “watch” and “pray.” If we do so, the Lord will save us at the last day and we will not be afraid, but rejoice in His second coming.

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear”

--D&C 38:30