Haggai 2:1-9
Psalm 30
Revelations 3:1-6
Matthew 24: 1-14
We live in troubled times – this is without question. Around the world, people call for the death, destruction, or dispossession of others in the name of religion. Our political leaders – on both sides – consistently disappoint. Many of our church leaders do little better. Some voices in our public culture cite this Gospel (and other passages like it) to declare with certainty that the end times are upon us.
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars … nation will rise against nation … there will be famines and earthquakes …”. (Matthew 24:6-7)
This certainly sounds like what is going on doesn’t it? But Jesus also says,
“Beware that no one leads you astray … many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray … many will fall away and [they will] hate one another …many false prophets will arise and lead many astray…”. (Matthew 24:4-5, 10-11)
People have been asking this question ever since the disciples asked Jesus – when is it going to happen and how will we know? When they ask Jesus, though, he does not give them a straight answer. He only tells them of the trials to come. Later in this same chapter, he is more direct but no more definitive.
“…about that day and hour no one knows … Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming … you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour…” (Matthew 24:36a, 42, 44).
Be wary of those who “know” – for Jesus himself tells us that “… no one knows neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36b)
The first hymn in Wonder, Love, and Praise (the dark green supplemental hymnal you can find in your pew) speaks of this, and offers hope and promise:
Signs of endings all around us, darkness, death, and winter days
shroud our lives in fear and sadness, numbing mouths that long to praise.
Come, O Christ, and dwell among us! Hear our cries, come set us free.
Give us hope and faith and gladness. Show us what there yet can be.
(Dean W. Nelson ©1988)
This is what Advent is about – waiting…
but not waiting for the end – waiting for the wonder that is to come.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Stephen Morris