Proper 28 - Refusal to Fear the End

Welcome Statement

We start today with a question. What is an apocalypse? Is it a doomsday scenario in the history of mankind? Or perhaps, there’s a different meaning regarding what it is? Of course, in the dictionary it talks about cataclysmic events, and books like revelation are no stranger to this subject, but Apocalypse really started as a literary genre in Christian and Jewish literature. In greek, it is called apokálupsis), which means revelation, disclosure, to reveal, to uncover. So for Christians what is an Apocalypse then? Well in the most base form, it is what it says, it’s a great revealing about something, typically in such a scenario, you are shown the true nature about something that you were unable to see before. Some examples in scripture of this occuring, is Paul on the road to damascus, he experiences and unveiling about how he was persecuting Christians, who served the very God he was so sure he was working for. Isaiah’s prophecies about the Son of Man ddefeating wild beasts are also an apocalypse! That’s the peculiar nature of this term and how it kind of took on a new meaning over time, when it was not meant to be a fearful thing. That being said, why is there so much scary events with strange symbols in these texts? There’s multiple reasons. One reason is the prophet is trying to describe a Heavenly dream or experience, and attempting to put that into terms we can understand, as they almost can’t comprehend what they are experiencing themselves, as it is so other-worldly. The second reason is simply, we are trying to be told something important. When you see an alarming symbol, that’s when Scripture is asking you to pay attention. This week we get thrust right into Apocalyptic literature as we listen to Jesus describe the fall of the temple, but this even has already occured, so what does it have to do with us? Let’s read this account in Mark

Daniel 12:1–3 NRSV

“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

This beccomes a fmiliar theme, that the wicked are separated from the good, and everlasting ends are made with or without God. I cannot proclaim to know who is in or who is out, and it would be irresponsible to argue such things. We see also a hidden call here for spreading the Good News by leading them into righteousness. This isn’t about perfecting your behaviors, it’s about living the life God called you to live. This forward looking approach, gives us this grasp to realize, that we have much promised to us, God makes a lot of strong bold claims throughout scripture that can’t be ignored.

Such as the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, let us read this account from the Gospel of Mark

New Testament Reading - Mark 13:1-8

Mark 13:1–8 NRSV

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Do not be lead Astray

First we see that we must not be lead astray by those promising quick fixes, proclaiming to have the Good News, but are really wolves in sheeps clothing, taking advantage of the downtrodden and lowly. This is what I was talking about last week regarding those who might abuse the story of the woman with two coins into a guilt call for putting more in the church. Christ then proclaims that there will be wars and rumors of wars, but he then turns around and says don’t be alarmed, because it is just the natural passing of things. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. This is a tough one, because we see things on the TV and can easily think, “Boy, Christ must be coming soon!”, but if we look at history, the amount of bloodshed happening in today’s world pales in comparison to say the number of deaths in the World Wars.

Why didn’t Christ show up for example at the end of the 2nd World War? Things had fallen apart, Europe was war torn, and things were absolutely awful for just about everyone. That is because, when we look at other scriptures in the Bible, we know these are only some of the many signs, and it is clear we can’t make assumptions.

Christ is telling his Disciples to be prepared for the tough times ahead. All of these proclamations become scary, that we might deal with famine, and a multitude of earthquakes. Again, thanks to the TV, we are absolutely convinced that things are happening more often than they used to. In some regards that is probably true, in others not so much.

The thing is, it could be that we’ve been in the end for two thousand years, or it could have not started yet, it depends on which approach you take on eschatology, whether you believe Christ is already reigning in heaven, or if his earthly reign is a future event. Personally I believe Christ was already enthroned when he was raised up into heaven two thousand years ago. The point is, what do we do with this info? Do we look to more hopeful scripture that tells us that God will reconcile all things to himself? And begin to understand Jesus is just proclaiming humanity is going to do what it always does before he returns? Or do we fear a fiery brimstone tommorow, thinking we are going to be left to suffer without God? God doesn’t leave his Chosen people, that is a promise proclaimed as early as Deuteronomy: Deuteronomy 31:8

Deuteronomy 31:8 NRSV

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Christ went before us, it is clear he will go before us again as he reconciles all things. All of the confusing signs about the end times should not give us fear, and we should not spend so much time worrying about the unchangeable. God will work out his plan in his way, we have to let go of fear, and look towards a hopeful future, as it says in Titus: Titus 2:11-14

Titus 2:11–14 NRSV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

God is proclaiming that he will intervene in the end of all things. Our worries do not have to be shouted out into a dark void, God hears our cries, he hears it all! The thing is, we see these apocalyptic scriptures a lot of times from the wrong angle. It’s how we can also get so caught up on the atonement, and forget it is just building up to a greater thing, the Resurrection. That victory over death. You read the end of Revelations, and you see the description of a New Jerusalem, a new Heaven and Earth, and a return to the garden of eden, where humanity started from. This is a promise John provides in Revelation that we are guaranteed a place in God’s Heavenly Kingdom, that beautiful intersection of Heaven and Earth we call Eden. We are promised that, so why do we fear what Jesus calls the birthing pangs? That’s the point he’s trying to make, it’s not about you having a hopeless future here on earth, it’s to prepare you for the reality that is suffering in this world we live in. God wants us to be molded and shaped through the fire, but he doesn’t do it by making us do it on our own, he walks before us. In Revelation it says the following

Revelation 21:6–7 NIV

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Who are the Victorious ones? Clearly it’s God’s Chosen people, all Christians across the earth who have experienced God in some shape or form in their life, even if it was just a mustard seed worth of faith. That’s the promise, Christ was with us from the beginning, and he will be with us in the end. Whatever events today are scaring you, or making you worry about the future, God is indeed in control of it in some way, a way that we can’t comprehend.

Closing Statement

words

Altar Call

In John 11:25 Jesus says: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;”. This is a promise that Christ will keep you alive, even when things are dire. As we close out with this final Hymn, if you feel moved to call upon God in your life, or if you feel like you need to repair or surrender something especially painful to God today, or just need that extra step to help you posture your heart towards his grace, this altar is open, you are always welcome to kneel here and worship, it is God’s altar, not mine. Let us Sing.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, adfs asdfa

Amen.

Doxology / Benediction / Closing

May you Have a Blessed Sunday, and rest of your Week! Amen!