Second Sunday in Advent (2024)

Luke 21:25-36; Malachi 4

My brothers and sisters in Christ, the Old Testament and Gospel Lesson warn us of the end of all things and how there will be an increase in open sin and wrath. You might think why on earth do we have to be warned about this yet again? Why do we have to be reminded of the end of all things especially the fire, wrath, and judgment, this isn’t an easy or peaceful message, but one that terrifies many as they consider the very real danger that the world is in. It’s Christmas time, all we want is a peaceful easy message, not this message that strikes fear into our hearts and does not permit us to sleep and slumber as we want. But it is no mistake that this lesson follows last week in this lectionary that has served for 1000 years, for we are not called to sleep, for it no longer night, but to remain awake as we await the coming of the Son of man.

Christ’s Return

The end of the world is scary.

Any description you read in the Scriptures speaks of the end as a tumultuous time, when you don’t know what all will happen and how things will unfold. How even the closest relationships within families will turn against each other, between parents and their children. It will be unparalleled chaos.

We are concerned over wars.

We are blessed in our nation to be removed from battlefields having only a few years of open war on our shores, but when you see the pictures or talk to those soldiers who have been on battlefields, it is an awful place, and when a nation is dragged into war, God has brought some manner of judgment against the nation for he has removed the blessing of peace. Wars are small compared to the end. When the whole

The whole creation will perish.

The Scriptures don’t just speak of the end of human life, he will reduce everything with fire and dissolves even the heavens above as he reduces the creation which has been corrupted by sin and returns it to nothing as God then makes all things new. On that day

The Punishment of the Wicked

The secrets of all hearts are made known.

Now this is a terrifying prospect. For we can often hide our sins from our fellow men here on earth, our lies, our hatred, our lust, but not on that day, on that day we stand in judgment before the throne of God,

The punishment is fire.

Not just a fire that perishes with the creation, but ongoing eternal destruction as our resurrected bodies won’t die, but live on in torment, that is far worse than any war, or any earthly affliction, illness, or trouble. For on

On this day, Jesus avenges His people.

Those who have abused those who are precious to Him, those he considers his treasured possession are afflicted with this punishment and judgment. This is nothing compared to war, or going to jail even in the worst countries of our world. This is why we do not seek vengeance for God is the one who will repay evildoers for their wickedness. So the question we ought to ask is

Who will be Safe?

Who amongst us is not a sinner?

We have all fallen short of the glory of God, we all sinned in thought, word, and deed by what we have done and left undone? What hope is there then for us on that day of judgment. If our works, and our deeds are to be measured against God’s own Holiness, and righteousness, what hope do we have? On that day, what you must cling to is what Jesus has done for you. The promises Jesus made to you, for faith trusts God’s Word. So yes we have sins, and we are sinners and we confess and admit that, but

Our sins were washed away.

On the day that we were baptized, we were placed in the shadow of the Cross so that Jesus might shield us from that wrath. For Jesus willingly suffered for you. For what Jesus did for you, is took on himself your life and your works, your thoughts, your deeds like a garment, filthy as it was, and he wore that, so that He might stand before the wrath of God in your place. Jesus didn’t leave you naked, He clothed you with His perfect life.

We have then put on Christ.

It’s why we give to those who are baptized that little white cloth, to remind them that they have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness. That is why we are able to stand without fear on the day of judgment. For Christ has claimed us as His own, and given His life not only for you, but to you that you might enter heaven. That’s why we when we see the signs of the end, we straighten up, and lift up our heads, for

Jesus’ Return is our Redemption

It’s when we enter paradise.

We shouldn’t fear that day, we should look forward to it. I’m not saying that the end of this creation is pleasant or enjoyable, but we ought to remember what Jesus has promised, and what God is going to do for His people. For the end

It isn’t the absolute end.

There are some who believe that there is just eternal blackness, or nothingness following death, and that is not what the Scriptures teach. For Christ did not remain in the tomb, He rose bodily. There are multiple promises throughout the scriptures about the new creation.

Sin brought a spiritual winter.

We enjoy many activities in the winter today, because of the many technological advancements that we have, but Christ is speaking here in the Gospel to those who live 2000 years ago. Winter meant that the plants stopped producing the food they needed, and so the world came to an end, but

Christ brings to us summer.

A season of warmth, and productivity a season that was a blessing for the people, and that is why he points to the fig tree. The unbelieving sees all these signs and throws up their hands in despair, but not you dear Christian. Jesus has already told us these signs would increase, so don’t be surprised or lose heart or go to sleep in your sins

Stay Awake

These passages are meant to rouse us.

They are meant to remind us that we ought not lose heart, but to cling to the only one who can keep us safe, the one who overcame the powers of sin, death, and the devil. The one who fought for you and for your salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord. Don’t let your hearts be weighed down by the World.

You do not want to be caught unaware.

The world surrounds us with temptation and tries to get us to focus and build our hopes on things that don’t last. For what we have in this creation is wearing out, and so we don’t want to bind our happiness, our joy, or our peace to that which perishes. What has granted Christians strength and hope throughout the ages is the promises of God that look to the world which is to come, knowing that this isn’t all there is. So don’t fall sleep

What happens to a soldier who sleeps at their post?

I looked up the history of this and I can say that it isn’t good. When the country is at war, it means losing your life, but for us it means losing our salvation. So don’t drift off to sleep in sin, but stay awake at all times, that we might be ready when Christ returns.

My Brothers and SIsters in Christ, these readings are meant to wake us up a bit, but also to remind us what we anticipate. Jesus’ return on that day God deals with all of those who thought in this life that their evil was blessed by God, or he didn’t care on that day they realize no God was storing up wrath for them, but for God’s children it is the day that we enter into paradise, and that is why we say with the Christian church throughout the ages, Amen, Come Lord Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.