Advent 1 (2)
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25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
As Jesus neared the end of his public ministry, he seems to have taught more intensely about the future. We certainly see his predictions about what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem as he prepared for his death and resurrection. But Jesus’ future plans went well beyond the time he would spend visibly here on earth. The final chapters of the Gospels record extensive teaching about that day when he would come again in all of his glory on the Last Day. We should not be suprised that the closer Jesus came to future events, the more he taught about them.
We are like that too. The closer we get to an event, the more intensely we prepare for it. A little girl may dream about getting married, but she hardly makes definite plans for her wedding day when she is three years old. Not so with a 25 year old bride to be who has saved the date six months out. And the closer she gets to that day, the more intense the planning.
What are some other future events we plan for?
Saving money for the future.
Weight loss or gain.
Seeking a new job.
Seeking a new job.
Starting a family.
Adjusting to children leaving the “nest”.
Retiring.
Coping with not being able to care for yourself.
The tension with planning for the Last Day is that it seems so far away. For this reason the Bible warns us about the dangers of not being vigilant as well as the blessings for those who are ready. As we reflect on Jesus’ Second Coming today, we hear what he has to say to us in this section of Luke.
The tension with planning for the Last Day is that it seems so far away. For this reason the Bible warns us about the dangers of not being vigilant as well as the blessings for those who are ready. As we reflect on Jesus’ Second Coming today, we hear what he has to say to us in this section of Luke.
Jesus briefly mentions some of the signs that remind us that his return is imminent.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
As he often does, Jesus illustrates his point with a parable. Before the days of calendars and the Farmer’s Almanac, people read the signs in nature about the upcoming changes in seasons. Trees budding and leafing out indicate summer soon approaches. When we see the leaves turning color, we know fall and winter are near. Jesus also points to signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Elsewhere we hear about wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes.
In a recent news article, scientists inform us that there are signs in the sun now (not detectable to the naked eye) that some dramatic changes in temperature are coming to the earth. Apparently a lack of sun spots means that we are in for quite the cold spell. I expect a rise in fuel oil prices and the sale of electric blankets.
Transition: The lesson of this first part is that the signs are all around us that Jesus is coming again so that we are aware and so that we will be ready.
Jesus also predicts what the impact will be on some people. If you know that a disaster is coming, you do well to be concerned and to act accordingly. It has been over 30 years but the recent anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington State reminded me of one resident of that area who was told that “she was going to blow” but instead of evacuating his home, he remained. He died and his body was never recovered. His name was Harry Truman but not THE Harry Truman who had been President of the US.
The purpose of warnings is to keep people safe. The sign that says, “Caution, wet floor”. is intended to slow you down so you don’t slip and fall down. Only a fool would fail to read and follow all warnings. Jesus warns us of the inevitable so that we will be safe during the crisis and for all eternity. He expects us to respond in the proper way. He contrasts the wrong way with the right way.
The wrong way.
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
Some people face a bleak future with destructive life choices. Of growing concern is that for the third year in a row life expectancy in the U.S. has gone down. Why? Because of the increased number of premature deaths due to drug abuse and suicide. Those who choose such actions are often dealing with situations in destructive ways. Jesus warns that those who are aware that the end is coming may despair or overindulge in temporary solutions to permant problems. He teaches us the right way to prepare for what should be a wonderful event in the future when we believe that his return will usher in a whole new existance with our God.
The right way.
36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus is NOT saying that anyone will be able to avoid the Last Day. He does teach that those who are properly prepared will be able to escape the consequences for those who do not believe. When the Last Day comes, there will be one of two futures for every person. Either eternal life in heaven or eternal condemnation in hell. God wants all men to be saved. He wants those who believe now to remain in the faith and to keep watch so that we will be among those who will enter heaven.
Other passages in the bible teach the same truth.
(NIV): 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
See other examples.
1 John 2:28 (NIV): 28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
Conclusion: We see signs all around us that help indicate what will happen so that we can be prepared. One of the most common one on our country roads is the deer crossing sign. It is not there to tell deer where to cross the road but to warn us that that particular patch of highway is crossed more often by deer. We can’t avoid that road but perhaps we slow down a little and are more vigilant in watching the ditches. We listen to the weather forecasts so we can plan accordingly. Our bodies aches and pains and other symptoms remind us that the limitations of old age will come to us at some time. Our God has given some very obvious signs that Jesus will return even if it hasn’t happened yet for almost 2000 years. He does this so that we will be ready for the end. We are prepared when . . . (wrap up).
Conclusion: We see signs all around us that help indicate what will happen so that we can be prepared. One of the most common one on our country roads is the deer crossing sign. It is not there to tell deer where to cross the road but to warn us that that particular patch of highway is crossed more often by deer. We can’t avoid that road but perhaps we slow down a little and are more vigilant in watching the ditches. We listen to the weather forecasts so we can plan accordingly. Our bodies aches and pains and other symptoms remind us that the limitations of old age will come to us at some time. Our God has given some very obvious signs that Jesus will return even if it hasn’t happened yet for almost 2000 years. He does this so that we will be ready for the end. We are prepared when we trust in Jesus for our salvatian and use the resources God has given us to serve him. Amen.
A periodic solar event called a "grand minimum" could overtake the sun perhaps as soon as 2020 and lasting through 2070, resulting in diminished magnetism, infrequent sunspot production and less ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching Earth — all bringing a cooler period to the planet that may span 50 years.
The last grand-minimum event — a disruption of the sun's 11-year cycle of variable sunspot activity — happened in the mid-17th century. Known as the Maunder Minimum, it occurred between 1645 and 1715, during a longer span of time when parts of the world became so cold that the period was called the Little Ice Age, which lasted from about 1300 to 1850.
But it's unlikely that we'll see a return to the extreme cold from centuries ago, researchers reported in a new study. Since the Maunder Minimum, global average temperatures have been on the rise, driven by climate change. Though a new decades-long dip in solar radiation could slow global warming somewhat, it wouldn't be by much, the researchers' simulations demonstrated. And by the end of the incoming cooling period, temperatures would have bounced back from the temporary cooldown. [Sun Storms: Incredible Photos of Solar Flares]
Sunspots, which appear as dark patches on the solar surface, form where the sun's magnetic field is unusually strong, and the number of sunspots waxes and wanes in a cycle that lasts about 11 years, fueled by fluctuations in the sun's magnetic field.
But during the late 17th century, the sun's spots all but disappeared. This episode corresponded with a period of exceptional cold in parts of the world, which scientists have explained as being connected to the changes in solar activity.
Saving money for the future.
Preparing your mind and body for the future.
Seeking a new job.
Starting a family.
Adjusting to children leaving the “nest”.
Retiring.
Coping with not being able to care for yourself.
The most immediate concern for the future seems to be the weather forecasts. We like to know what to expect the next day or so or more depending on what we plan to do. We know it is going to get colder and snow. We just want to know how cold and when and how much it will snow.
I think we like to know about the future so that we can plan for it.
Jesus certainly was concerned about the future. He often foretold his plans especially in regard to his death and resurrection. (cite examples) But his predictions about the future went way beyond those events. He would often teach about what we call the end of the world when he would come again. As we begin the Advent season we focus the first week on his “Second Coming” as he teaches us some very important truths about being prepared about our future.
Signs
What Will Happen
How to Be Prepared (see passages on “blameless” as well form epistle lesson)