Second Sunday in Advent

It’s the end of the world as we know it. Those pop song lyrics from the late ‘80s can certainly serve as the theme of our day. The foreboding reality that comes from God’s Word this morning vividly paints an end time portrait that is more doom and gloom than we’d likely prefer on this Second Sunday in Advent. After-all, we are in a season of joyful anticipation of the pudgy little baby in a manger, aren’t we? Well, no. No, we aren’t. Though that’s where our sinful and any result thereof minds wish to go - as far away from the consequence of sin, that is - the truth about Advent is not about the coming of the baby Jesus. Rather, the truth about Advent is the second coming, the awaiting of the fact that indeed, the Lord comes on the Last Day - to judge sinners!

Now, as we go about our Advent season, there are a few ways to do so. First, would be to simply act ignorant. Ignore the Word of God and go about this season of hanging stockings with care, making lists and checking them twice, decking the halls with whatever boughs fit your jolly, because really, as long as you have anything to say about it, there’s no need for the distinction of naughty or nice. It’s about feeling warm and fuzzy and merry, right? And so the ignorant approach to Advent is really to embrace the world and all her whoredom and go about life as if the Truth of God’s Word just doesn’t matter.

But I am going to hope and pray that as you sit here this day, you are not one of those folks. If you are, may your heart be softened as the Holy Spirit works upon you this day. But let us assume that you are here this day to find rest and reassurance - strengthening and nourishment of your faith. And as you do, may you also find peace for your weary soul.

As ones gathered before Word and Sacrament, we have two other ways to go about the Advent season - to go about living through the end of the world as we know it. The first would be in fear. That would certainly be easy for you to do as you ponder the words just spoken - “distress of nations...” and “roaring of the sea and the waves...” and “the powers of the heavens will be shaken...” and “the day is coming, burning like an oven...” How wouldn’t someone hear those prophecies - that truth, and no have fear? Even the most hardened of hearts - callous of conscience have at least of bit of guilt that would begin to fear the judgment that is to come. But fear is a tool for evil and despair.

When fear grips one’s life, faith - true faith - dissipates. Fear seems to be a tool of the devil - a tool he uses to turn you inward. Why? Because so long as he can keep you afraid, he can make you think and act with your flesh. It’s good for you to remember that your totally corrupted nature is blind, dead, and an enemy of God. As such, your flesh is tainted with the prideful reality that its only interest is that which benefits you. So fear, then, is the tool that Satan uses to keep you looking in on yourself, focused on the idols you’ve created, and keeps you afraid of losing the way of life you’ve made for yourself.

So, in that way, when you hear the doom and gloomish reality of the end times, you hear it through the desire to not lose what you have. You are proud. You are secure in what you have built up as your family and home and possession and reputation and way of life. Of course, you fear the end of the world as we know it for with that threat of an end comes a threat to what you wish not to end!

But come on, dear child of God! You are smarter than that! Don’t allow yourself to be easily duped by the prince of lies who wishes nothing other than for you to gain the whole world and lose your soul. You are here this day, I pray, to hear the truth that surpasses all understanding - to receive the precious means that nurture faith in that which last beyond the temporal reality of this world upon which we are just pilgrims. You have come to this place as ones obedient to the call of the Holy Spirit to be free from the torments of this world and to find peace - rest from your labors - and strength in the grace and mercy of our Lord who serves you this day.

For that, dear friends, is the final way in which you may approach the reality that is the end of the world as we know it. You hear the realities put forth in the Scriptures. You look out into the brokenness that is a fallen world and you resist the temptation to live in fear. Instead, you live in faithful expectation of what is to come.

It is certain that the Christian is constantly tempted to lay aside their faithful confidence at the sight of all the world has to offer. But stand fast dear friends, for that is not you. No. And if it is, turn away - repent - and return to the solid foundation upon which the wise build their homes. Friends, we live in the end times - the end of the world as we know it has been falling upon you since the fall of man. The full thrust of Satan’s assault upon the faithful has been felt ever so intensively since the heal of the cross crushed his head. But you, dear child of God are in the right place. “Straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” It’s the end of the world as we know it, and even so, we find peace.

The end times for a Christian are times of hope and not of fear. Jesus has made those days joyous because of His innocent suffering and death. He is the Son of the Most High God, Who is the God of endurance and encouragement that Saint Paul proclaims in the Epistle. He has given us His Holy Scriptures that preach Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of His precious children, both Jew and Gentile, for “Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.”

Jesus excels above all things in showing mercy. He has paid the price for your sin by bearing your sin in His body. His blood and righteousness plead your innocence before the Father in heaven. Jesus comes as a suffering servant in your place that you might be spared from the wrath to come. You are judged innocent because of Christ. In Jesus, and only in Jesus, you have all things necessary for salvation.

It’s the end of the world as we know it. There is nothing to fear, for Christ is your strength and your shield. He holds you in the palm of His hand to keep you safe from the shaking of the heavens and the earth. Heaven and earth will pass away says Jesus, but my words will not pass away. Jesus is your strength to escape all these things that are going to take place. You will stand before the Son of Man covered in His blood and righteousness. “You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.” Amen.