Pentecost 24, B – November 15, 2009

Scriptures – Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-13 

“and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The Day is surely drawing near, as hymn #508 proclaims. What a fearful hymn! I doubt it is in anyone’s list of top ten hymns. But, it speaks loudly and clearly the truth:  

A FEARFUL DAY IS DRAWING NEAR! 

I.              A DAY OF DESTRUCTION FOR THE WORLD. 

This should be no surprise, for Jesus spoke of this long ago. Oh, there are plenty of “new” discoveries about this, such as that the world will end in 2012 because the Mayan calendar runs out in 2012. This is what the latest disaster movie, “2012,” is all about. Don’t get caught up in this garbage. You will do far better to pay attention to what Jesus says. He is coming again from heaven, and this world as it is will be destroyed. His coming will be preceded by various signs:

‡       Signs in nature, such as earthquakes and famines.

‡       Political signs, such as wars and rumors of wars.

‡       Religious signs: false Messiah’s and deceitful religious leaders leading people astray; persecution and hatred of Christ’s followers.

Do we not see such things in abundance? The 20^th century was the bloodiest in the history of the world, with two wars that involved the whole world. It was also marked by the wholesale abandonment of fundamental religious teachings. 200 years ago every Christian denomination believed and confessed that the Bible was the true words of God, and so a sure guide for our lives. Today only a handful believe this. Most denominations and Bible schools today view the Bible as a collection of writings that express the opinions and beliefs of the people who composed them. It has inspiring wisdom, but also erroneous ideas that we need to reshape and reinterpret. The result has been the wholesale loss of faith and the rise of immorality and behaviors that are destroying lives.

The Bible study in your bulletin today kind of picks up on this. It speaks of risky living, and encourages us to take the risk of investing not just our money but our very lives in God’s work. Yes, doing this has risks. Putting your money into the church is risky, for buildings don’t last. When Jesus’ disciples pointed out the beauty and wonder of the temple in Jerusalem – and it was a marvel. One of the foundation stones, which is part of what is now called the Wailing Wall, weighed 200 tons! How did 1^st century builders put that stone in place? – Jesus said to them: “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” This church, too, will fall one day. Why risk your money in it? Why not do just the bare minimum of what is needed? Because we are not simply investing in a building, taking a risk for windows and sheetrock. We are honoring our God and the teaching of Christ’s Gospel. We are using what God gives us in time, talents, and treasure for the work of His kingdom. There is no risk in this, for Christ’s kingdom is eternal! It is this world that is passing away. A great day of destruction is coming for this world. Risky living is investing yourself in this dying world. 

“The one who endures to the end will be saved,” Christ promises. Note that He doesn’t say, “will be spared,” but, “will be saved.” Christ’s people will suffer along with unbelievers from the devastations that come from wars, earthquakes, and societal upheavals. We will also endure extra sufferings because of people’s hatred of His Gospel. But, “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Saved from what? From the ultimate destruction that the Day of Christ’s return will bring. It will bring 

II.            A DAY OF ETERNAL DESTRUCTION FOR SINNERS. 

The prophet Daniel speaks of this. An angel from God came to him and spoke to him of the end, and told him, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people.” Michael means, “Who is like God?” This is a prophecy about Jesus and His return. “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Shame and everlasting contempt – this is hell. This is the ultimate destruction that you will not hear of or see portrayed in the movie “2012” or other end of the world predictions. The true thing to fear is not the end of the world but being con-demned to hell because of your sins! Christ’s return will usher in this judgment. 

Why? Because of how evil sin is. Its evil resides in our hearts and brings forth selfish desires and thoughts that are worship of self and not God, that result in actions that serve self and not others. Sin cannot be separated from sinners. It is sinners, people, who pollute this beautiful world God has made, who destroy it and its people with wars and the famines that follow. Following our selfish desires, we hurt one another and even ourselves. God sees all this, far more clearly that we do, and He hates it, for He did not create this or intend it. The Day will come when He has had enough. Christ will return, and sinners will be thrust from His presence into hell forever. 

Draw near to Him now while He draws near to us with mercy and forgiveness! “Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” This is Baptism. You were washed clean of your sin and guilt when you were baptized, washed in the blood of Jesus who paid for your sins by His death. “Christ offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, [and] he sat down at the right hand of God.” His sacrifice for you was accepted by the Father, and so He was welcomed to His side. “By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” “has perfected” – this is past tense. Your sins are forgiven in Christ, and God now sees you who believe in Him as perfect, holy and sinless! And now you are “being sanctified” – God is continually bringing this holiness forth to be seen in our lives. Christ our good and holy Savior is seen in our lives by our love and good works. It is not risky living. It is Christ living in us! 

Christ knows His people and sees the good we do in Him. He will speak of this on the last Day. It is fitting, then, that we do so now and so “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” How did the writer of Hebrews do this? He pointed out the lives of great believers such as Noah and Abraham and Moses. I will point out others to you. Because of our ongoing renovations and the campaign we have undertaken to pay off the loan for this, I have heard a number of times the comment, “I can’t really do anything right now, as times are hard.” Oh, but there are things each of us can do! Our good works are far more than just the offerings we give. Last week, for instance, Steve Sabol was outside painting the wall below the windows, something that would have cost nearly $500 if the painters had done this. Tony Scott has served as our Treasurer for many years now, faithfully doing work that would cost us thousands of dollars to have done. Deb Fasoli is getting together a banner committee to make banners that will not only add beauty to God’s house but help to proclaim the hope we have in Him. These are just a few of the many people who serve our Lord, and you, His people, here. Thank them; pray for them; and join them! 

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever,” Daniel was told. This is what we can look forward to on that great and awesome Day when Christ returns. The day is surely drawing near, the glorious Day when Christ and His people are revealed. Look forward to that Day, and serve with it in mind! To the glory of Jesus, our coming Savior. Amen.