“The End is near!” I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever actually seen a person wearing sandwich boards with that message on it, but even if I have not I think we’ve all seen images of a guy preaching on a street corner with that sign strung around his neck.
This whole conversation about the End was sparked by a comment from the disciples as they were impressed by the buildings of the Temple. The Temple of Jerusalem was not just one building. Indeed it was a large complex of buildings which surrounded the actual Temple where people worshiped. In response, Jesus predicts that it will all be destroyed – which happened in 70 A.D. at the hands of the Romans.
The disciples are displaying our human inclination to be impressed by the wrong things. They see the Temple and all the beauty, majesty, and ceremony surrounding it and their breath is taken away. Jesus, on the other hand, sees all that and knows it’s all going to be destroyed but what will last is his Word.
The discussion Jesus and the disciples have on the Mount of Olives reinforces that message. Wars, betrayals, false prophets, and signs in the sun, moon and stars, all point out that this world will not last. Until the End though, the world will keep on going as it always has. People will get married and do all the things people do, just as in the days of Noah when the flood came and swept them away in God’s divine judgment.
Thinking about the End can be frightening. God’s wrath and judgment are not fun to think about. That being said, when God’s judgment comes at the End, and Jesus appears in the skies bright as a flash of lightning it will also be a day of great joy and salvation. He will fulfill our every hope, and sin and death will no longer be able to touch us.
While many people cringe at thoughts of the Last Day, or try to inspire fear in others through messages of fire and brimstone, the Last Day is a day of hope for us as followers of Jesus. So what should we hold on to from this account?
- Remember, this world is not our home. Don’t become too impressed by the structures and glory of the world.
- There is a home that Jesus has prepared for us, and he will return on the Last Day to take us to be with him.
- There will be trouble in this world, but don’t lose hope. Jesus warned us that would be the case. He will guide us through.
- The Word stands forever. When you think about what matters in life, remember what will last: God’s Word & People.
- As long as we are here, it’s because Jesus (the Master) has work for us to help people know, love and follow him so that they can find that Last Day to be a day of joy, too.
Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching me that the things of this world will pass away and for giving me your eternal Word. Forgive me for how impressed and fixated I become on things of this world, and help me to live for you, serving you with all the time, talents and abilities you have given me. Amen.
This whole conversation about the End was sparked by a comment from the disciples as they were impressed by the buildings of the Temple. The Temple of Jerusalem was not just one building. Indeed it was a large complex of buildings which surrounded the actual Temple where people worshiped. In response, Jesus predicts that it will all be destroyed – which happened in 70 A.D. at the hands of the Romans.
The disciples are displaying our human inclination to be impressed by the wrong things. They see the Temple and all the beauty, majesty, and ceremony surrounding it and their breath is taken away. Jesus, on the other hand, sees all that and knows it’s all going to be destroyed but what will last is his Word.
The discussion Jesus and the disciples have on the Mount of Olives reinforces that message. Wars, betrayals, false prophets, and signs in the sun, moon and stars, all point out that this world will not last. Until the End though, the world will keep on going as it always has. People will get married and do all the things people do, just as in the days of Noah when the flood came and swept them away in God’s divine judgment.
Thinking about the End can be frightening. God’s wrath and judgment are not fun to think about. That being said, when God’s judgment comes at the End, and Jesus appears in the skies bright as a flash of lightning it will also be a day of great joy and salvation. He will fulfill our every hope, and sin and death will no longer be able to touch us.
While many people cringe at thoughts of the Last Day, or try to inspire fear in others through messages of fire and brimstone, the Last Day is a day of hope for us as followers of Jesus. So what should we hold on to from this account?
- Remember, this world is not our home. Don’t become too impressed by the structures and glory of the world.
- There is a home that Jesus has prepared for us, and he will return on the Last Day to take us to be with him.
- There will be trouble in this world, but don’t lose hope. Jesus warned us that would be the case. He will guide us through.
- The Word stands forever. When you think about what matters in life, remember what will last: God’s Word & People.
- As long as we are here, it’s because Jesus (the Master) has work for us to help people know, love and follow him so that they can find that Last Day to be a day of joy, too.
Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching me that the things of this world will pass away and for giving me your eternal Word. Forgive me for how impressed and fixated I become on things of this world, and help me to live for you, serving you with all the time, talents and abilities you have given me. Amen.
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