This sounds like a severe warning from Paul in his first letter to Thessalonican christians. He had visited this Greek city on his second missionary journey, and had converted several listeners in the synagogue there. But he had been forced to leave because the Jewish leaders rose up against him.

Reading the Old Testament tells us that God was frequently having to reprimand His children as they strayed from the truth and did things the way they thought best. This often played into the hands of enemy nations who had been prompted by greed or fear to attack the Israelites.

Jesus saw or heard about many suddenlies during His time on the earth. This particular problem child seemed to irritate him. Not because of the child who was demon possessed, or the worried frustrated father. But because of His disciples who had tried to heal this boy, but had failed.

Some female followers of Jesus had gone to the grave and as they went there was a violent earthquake! That earthquake was caused by the arrival of the angel who rolled away the stone from the grave entrance. Not to let Jesus out of the tomb! He had already left.

In the prison Peter was not panicking, but sleeping peacefully in spite of his chains which attached him to two sentries! Once Peter was freed from prison and walking towards the house where people were praying for him, we read of another suddenly! Suddenly the angel left him (Acts 12:10).

The disciples were following Him. That is what disciples do: follow their leader! All but one of these disciples were faithful to the end, but none of them ever knew what was going to happen next. When they were on the lake, the last thing they expected was a storm!

Eventually Daniel, a faithful servant of the Most High God, was called to translate the words that the finger of God wrote on the wall! Those words did not please king Belshazzar. But he honoured his promise of gifts for Daniel, not knowing that he would die that same night!

These closing few verses of this chapter of the gospel of Mark give us much to think about as we are looking at the world today and realising that the things mentioned in this chapter are happening now! We must remember that Jesus told His listeners to not be afraid.

The history of Israel as a people, is full of stories about their victory over their enemies. They had much fighting to do, and life was never very peaceful for very long. Or so it seems as we read though the old Testament. Israel are still at war with Palestinians.

As practicing Christians death is something that we should not fear. If we follow the example of Jesus staying in communication with Father God, then we have nothing to fear. Heaven will have a place for us. But if we are self-centred and unhelpful there are some lessons to learn.