"Judgment Day: Salvation Day" (Mark 13:24-37)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Jesus said: “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:32-33).

 

The end of the world always has a certain allure for us. Like Jesus’ disciples then who asked, “When will these things be?” (Mark 13:4), we also wonder when. Throughout history, there have been an array of people who have predicted when the end of the world would take place. So many religious leaders and secular leaders have been obsessed with the end of the world. However, they have different convictions on how the world will end.

 

One of the more obsessed “so-called” religious groups are the Jehovah’s Witnesses, which first predicted the end of the world in 1918, then in 1920, and then in 1941, and most recently in 1975. And still, despite those wrong predictions, the Jehovah’s Witnesses continue growing.

 

In more recent times, so much of the secular world has become obsessed with the end of the world and like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, many secular leaders have had their predictions fail.

 

But so many, on either side – religious or secular, have one thing in common: they both agree that the falling of the first domino will lead to the world’s demise.

 

For many Christians and Jews, they believe if we only rebuilt the Jerusalem temple and sacrificed the red heifer, we would usher in Judgment Day.

 

For many on the secular side, they believe that if we don’t solve “climate change,” then the earth would warm or cool to the point when the earth would no longer be inhabitable. 

 

To many people, these predictions sound plausible. We just need to do something. We need to do thisor do that to usher in the return of Jesus, or we need social justice or environmental justice to save the world wrought by humanity.

Given what so many “so-called” experts say, climate change is a much bigger threat than Jesus. For all intents and purposes, they fear, love, and trust in climate change. More and more these days, those who claim that Jesus has control over the end of the world are laughed at.

 

So, who is really going to have the power to usher in Judgment Day?

 

Jesus said, “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory”(Mark 13:24-26). This kind of sounds like Jesus is in control, not you, and not me.

 

To those who claim they know when and how the world will end, what does Jesus say? He tells us, “Don’t believe them!” “Concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).

 

While we don’t know when the Last Day will come, Jesus does give us some insight.

 

Over and over again, Jesus says that we must always be alert for His return. He says, 

§  “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42); 

§  “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:33); 

§  “What I say to you I say to all: Stay awake” (Mark 13:37); 

§  “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” (Luke 12:37).

 

Today, Jesus tells us of a man going on a journey, and that when he leaves home, he puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.

 

You see, Jesus wants us to be alert, on guard, to keep watching for Him to come at any moment. In this mini-parable, Jesus is the “man,” the Church is the “house,” and we are the “servants.” Here, Jesus paints the picture that we in the Church are to “stay awake,” for He could return at any moment.

 

For those who lived in the First Century, they believed Jesus would return in their lifetime. They lived in that hope and expectation. They kept waiting and watching and longing for His appearing.

 

But He didn’t return, and thus, we wait, watch, and long for His appearing. Jesus says in Luke 21, “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34).

 

So, are you just going on with the current, or are you fighting the good fight of faith?

 

It is so easy to get caught up in the rigamarole of life. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily tasks of putting food on the table, paying bills, putting gas in your car, getting caught up on your favorite television show or sporting event and to ultimately forget about Christ’s coming. Now, each of those things are good in themselves, but if we forget or ignore Jesus because of those things, they are just mere distractions weighing us down in the cares of this life. 

 

But what would it mean to fight the good fight of faith? Is it something we do? Like standing at a street corner proclaiming Jesus? Not exactly.

 

Christ is coming! And when He does, you will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26).

 

Fighting the good fight of faith is staying awake. And how do we stay awake? Do we have to literally watch the sky at all times for Christ’s return? No! If we did that, we would ignore the needs of our neighbor. We would ignore our own needs that God provides.

 

So, how do we stay awake? Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Mark 13:31). Knowing that God’s Word never ceases, let’s take a look at today’s Epistle from Jude. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Jude writes, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 20-21).

 

So, how do we stay awake? What Jude is writing about here is the mutual consolation and corporate gathering around the Means of Grace – Christ’s Word and Sacrament.

 

You see, the triune God alone – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is who keeps us awake. He keeps us awake through His Means of Grace as we receive forgiveness of our sins and strength for our faith through His Word and Sacrament.

 

Judgment Day is approaching. The day when we will see the Son of Man descending from the clouds with great power and glory is approaching. The One who created the world, who redeemed and restored the world by His death and resurrection is coming to judge the living and the dead.

 

However, judgment is not the focus of today’s text. In fact, the focus of today’s text is quite positive, since Christ says, “He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” (Mark 13:27).

 

You see, what we call Judgment Day is actually the salvation day of the elect! This salvation day of the elect is given to us. It is given to us at your Baptism when we were buried with Christ and raised with Him. There, Christ gives us the Holy Spirit and this Holy Spirit moves us daily in repentance. From contrition to faith. From condemnation to forgiveness. From death to life. The daily drowning of the old Adam and the daily resurrection of the new man in Christ, and by it, the Holy Spirit makes you one of the elect – the chosen. Jesus does that now through His Means of Grace and He does that on the Last Day when He orders His angels to gather us up with Him. For the repentant Christian, every day is judgment day – as we repent and receive Christ’s forgiveness – until that last day is revealed to us.

 

The day of the Lord is coming. The signs are all around us. We are living in the last days. So, life will not be easy as a follower of Christ. But don’t be afraid. Christ is coming. That day when there will be no more fear, no more tears, no more troubles or trials is coming. 

 

Today, we live with Christ now by faith, but on that day of His coming, we will be with Him forever in love. With faith in Christ, there is forgiveness for all your sins. There is hope when all seems hopeless. There is life after death. Salvation day is coming and until that day, Christ keeps us awake in His Means of Grace. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

"In Christ Alone We Endure" (Mark 13:1-13)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Jesus said: “And you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13).

 

Today is one of those Sundays where it may sound wrong saying, “This is the Gospel of the Lord.” 

 

Are you looking forward to the coming of Christ? Normally, we’d all say, “Yes!” But how are you feeling after today’s Gospel reading? Does the coming of Christ actually sound like a glorious day? Are you beginning to second guess saying, “Come, Lord Jesus”?

 

We all look forward to the day when we are sheltered in the presence of the Lamb of God. We all look forward to when we will hunger no more, thirst no more, suffer no more. But until that great and glorious day, Christ says, “There shall be a time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1). Many will be led away by false christs – false pastors – wolves in sheep’s clothing, who preach what our sinful itching ears desire to hear rather than what we need to hear, who refuse to preach God’s Word as they bend to the cultural tides. 

 

Christ warns of wars and rumors of wars. Nations rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Earthquakes in various places. Famines. They will bring you before councils. They will beat you. They will bring you to trial and hand you over. Brother delivering brother to death. Father delivering his child, and children rising against their parents to have them put to death. We will seemingly be hated by all.

 

Are you still looking forward to the coming of Christ? It sounds like all hell will be breaking loose. It sounds a lot like doom and gloom. Where is the good news in any of this?

 

Jesus says, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Mark 13:2).

 

Not only will the Jerusalem temple be destroyed – for which it already has been – but everything built by human hands will be destroyed – including this building known as Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. As much as this may shock us today, this certainly shocked Christ’s disciples then. They were not only shocked, but they were disturbed!

 

You see, the temple was the heart and center of Jewish life. It was where they prayed. It was where their sins were forgiven. For any Jew, the destruction of the temple meant – really – the end of the world. 

 

Everything built with human hands will be destroyed on the Last Day. Those beautiful churches, those tall skyscrapers, those billion-dollar sports stadiums. Everything will be destroyed. Everything. So, we shouldn’t be too impressed by the structures all around us.

 

Not only that. But Satan will be spreading murder and mayhem wherever he can. He will get in as much destruction as he can in the short time he has left. 

 

But there is good news. Did you catch it? Christ says: “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13b).

 

Really? We have to endure? How can we endure through deception, wars and rumors of wars, persecution, even persecution from within our own nuclear families?

 

That’s the good news? Endure? All I have to do is endure through times of trouble, troubles that will be far worse than I can even imagine, and then I will be saved? How could surviving unprecedented troubles really comfort me?

 

If we’re honest, for those who travel, we barely endure the TSA line at the airport. We have to wait in line, then when we reach the end of the line, we are treated like criminals. Many would rather pay for TSA pre-check or Clear, so they can cut in line and avoid the humiliation.

 

We barely endure traveling in a car with a toddler across state lines.

 

We barely endure when the car in front of you is going the speed limit.

 

We barely endure the thought that someone may not like you, let alone be angry with you, or actually hate you.

 

Just look at Christ’s disciples. How well did they do at enduring during trials? Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus privately: “Tell us, when will these things be?” (Mark 13:4a).

 

Peter denied Jesus not just once, not just twice, but three times. And James, John, and Andrew joined Peter, and the other apostles, who hid away behind locked doors after Jesus was crucified for the fear of the Jewish authorities.

 

So, are Christ’s own apostles doomed? Are we doomed? How can anyone be saved? What hope do we have of enduring all that Christ lays out for us today?

 

So many of us struggle with just little things. So many of us feel overwhelmed already with just those little things. So, how could we endure when the bad turns to the worst?

 

Some weeks ago, we heard Christ say: “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Again, I bring up that rich young man from Mark 10. Christ’s disciples believed that simple wealth proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that rich people must have special access before God. But just because you are wealthy doesn’t guarantee salvation. The only guarantee of salvation is faith alone in Christ Jesus.

 

So, the only hope we have to endure all things is to look to Christ alone, who has endured everything before us and for us!

 

Christ has already been betrayed and abandoned. He was delivered over to the council and beaten. He stood before governors and kings. He was hated by all. He was scourged and crucified. The earth quaked. He died.

 

Christ endured it all for you and me, so that we would be saved. Then on that third day, He rose in victory over our evil foes: sin, death, and the devil. And Christ wasn’t done yet! He would later ascend to the right hand of God the Father in glory. Then He would send the Holy Spirit.

 

If enduring is something that we do by our own reason and strength, we would never endure. If enduring is something that we can manage, then salvation is tied to works. What Jesus describes to us today is clearly unendurable for sinners, but thanks be to God “all things are possible with God,”as He gives us the only way we can endure and that is by clinging to Jesus Christ alone!

 

Jesus says: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). So, we only endure since Christ endured for us! Our victory is His victory! Our salvation is His salvation! 

 

Yes, endurance is tough. But it’s only tough if we endure by ourselves. In Christ alone, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). 

 

Jesus has endured for you! So, you can also endure in Him!

 

Today and at each Divine Service, Jesus gives you the way to endure to the end. He comes to us in His body and blood broken and shed for you and your sins! He comes to us through His Word that endures forever!

 

So, when all hell breaks loose – and it will, Christ invites us to hide in Him and thus endure through Him.

 

Remember, this is why Christ became man, why He suffered and died, why He endured all. Apart from Christ, all things are impossible. Apart from Christ, we are doomed. 

 

But remember your Baptism into Christ, where Christ claimed you as His own. Each time we eat the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. And He is coming, for He has promised. And God keeps all of His promises. He never lies (Titus 1:2). He is with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

 

Even though we may see everything around us disappear, Christ tells us: don’t be alarmed. Even when the fallen world temps us through false teachings in order to lead us astray, or worldly peace comes to an end through persecution, war, earthquakes, and family ties, always remember: Christ endures. And if you cling to Christ, you will also endure!

 

Nothing, not even Christ’s dire list we heard today, can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. By grace through faith in Christ alone, through His Means of Grace, we endure to the end. In Christ alone, we are saved! So, we say: “Come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

Sermon for the Ascension of Our Lord: "Still with Us" (Acts 1:1-11)

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Alleluia! Christ is ascended! He is ascended, indeed! Alleluia!

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

 

“And when [Jesus] had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while there were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11).

 

Just imagine the sight. The apostles and disciples staring off into the sky – gazing up into heaven. They gaze after Jesus until they can no longer see Him.

 

Just imagine what they were thinking. We have some ideas. They just asked Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) So, is the Ascension the way Jesus will bring back the old days of King David and King Solomon, when the Kingdom of Israel was the greatest? Is this the way Israel would become free from Roman domination and become a world power? You see, this was the hope of many in Israel.

 

To that question, prior to His Ascension, Jesus says to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7).

 

So, it was not for them – or us – to know when God would bring His great plan to completion. However, it is enough to know that He has a plan for His kingdom and that His will is gracious and good. God has marked the calendar, and He has marked the day and made a note of the hour. Until that day, no one on this side of heaven knows the day and the hour of Christ’s second coming, the date of Judgment Day.

 

But there is something to note from this exchange. Before His Resurrection, when Jesus was in His state of humiliation, He did not exercise His divine knowledge to the fullest. He had said then that He did not know the day of God’s judgment. He said, “No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). But here, Jesus does not say that. Here, Jesus says, “It is not for you to know” (Acts 1:7). In other words, “I know.”

 

From His Word, we know that Jesus’ kingdom is not political, but spiritual. We know that Jesus’ kingdom is not limited to the Jewish people, but includes all who trust in Christ, which is the spiritual Israel. 

 

Again, they are looking intently up into the sky. They stare even as the last clouds fold Him in. What’s next? Has Jesus left them? Has Jesus left us? They gaze after Him, but He is gone. Jesus has vanished.

 

Do you ever have times when you wish that Jesus wasn’t so far away? Do you ever ponder the idea: “Why Jesus, why do you permit all this evil to happen?” Our human understanding of the Ascension can lead us to think that Jesus is far, far away. But is that really the case? Has Jesus really abandoned us?

 

The Ascension was visible for the sake of the apostles. The very moment the clouds hid Jesus from their sight, He was transferred timelessly into the heavenly glory. Jesus is now visible in heaven with the same body, including His scars of triumph over the cross and grave.

 

Suddenly, two angels stood by them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

 

You see, Christ departed visibly, so He shall return visibly. He ascended into heaven, so He shall descend from heaven. He ascended bodily, so He shall descend bodily.

 

In this in-between time, what does Christ’s Ascension mean to us? St. Paul gives us the answer in tonight’s epistle: Jesus is now seated at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named. He has put all things under His feet and is head over the Church (Ephesians 1:20-22).

 

Now, does this mean that Jesus is away from us as He rules in heaven? No! This means that He rules in heaven and on earth. Through His Ascension, Jesus is reigning His death and resurrection over us, which means that He has the power to be everywhere and anywhere. He is no longer bound to a bodily, visible, tangible, and worldly way of life, to time, place, space, or the like. Through His Ascension, Jesus is now present and rules through His power everywhere, in all places and at all times, when and where we need Him. Jesus says, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

You see, Christ’s Ascension is all about bringing us His Means of Grace. He ascended so that He can distribute His sacrificial gifts to His people everywhere and anywhere. Again, Jesus Ascended so that He would no longer be bound spatially. He Ascended, so that He can truly be with us always to the end of the age in, with, and under His Word and Sacraments.

 

Because Jesus is Ascended into heaven and has all power and all authority, His Means of Grace are no mere symbols or simple remembrances of what He has accomplished on our behalf. No! They are the Means by which Christ gives Himself through His Word and Sacraments. His Means of Grace have both authority and power, right and might to accomplish that for which God has purposed them.

 

What is this purpose? Forgiveness of sins, which begets life and salvation! The Means of Grace created your faith in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and strengthens your faith through Absolution, the Word, and the Sacrament of the Altar.

 

Through the Means of Grace, we are joined to the very same crucifixion and resurrection in the waters of Holy Baptism. It is a Baptism in which the Holy Spirit gives us faith as we live as God’s holy people.

 

Through the Means of Grace, the cross is placed upon us in Holy Absolution, wherein repentant hearts receive forgiveness of sins.

 

Through the Means of Grace, Christ feeds us His very Body and Blood under the bread and wine, given to us Christians to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins in the Sacrament of the Altar.

 

Being forgiven through the Means of Grace, we mutually forgive one other.

 

So, the Ascension of Our Lord is not a time of mourning. Jesus has not left us. He did not retire when He ascended. He has not deserted us. He continues to be involved and be in charge. His Ascension is all about our comfort, peace, joy, and confidence.

 

While Jesus ascended from His apostles’ and disciples’ sight, being carried up into heaven, He raised His hands in blessing (Luke 24:50). His hands remain lifted to bless us, to bless our witness and our worship.

 

Imagine the awe and delight of the angels and archangels as the Son of God returned as also the Son of Man with all power and all authority in heaven and on earth, where He rules with grace and mercy, where repentance for the forgiveness of sins is preached.

 

Jesus is not absent. He is still with us in His Means of Grace – His Word and Sacraments – where He promises to be until He bodily returns on the Last Day. Alleluia! Christ is ascended! He is ascended, indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.  

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

Sermon for Pentecost 25: "Enduring to the End" (Mark 13:1-13)

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Intro]

“The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13b). What is Jesus saying here? How do we endure?

This morning’s Gospel lesson can leave us scratching our heads and wondering what actually endures?

In the beginning, all earthly things – including you and me – were created to endure. Because of this, we all expect permanence. After all, we were all created to live forever, but permanence came to an end due to the Fall into sin. However, this is what Christ’s disciples were in awe of. They were in awe of all that seemed would last forever.

“As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down’” (Mark 13:1-2).

Really? All this beauty is going to come to an end?

For the disciples, they came to the big city of Jerusalem and were in awe of the Temple and other great buildings. Everything they saw took their breath away. We’re no different. We, too, often become awestruck when we gaze from the sidewalk at the impressive height of skyscrapers, or how majestic stadiums and arenas are, or historic buildings that have lasted hundreds of years. There is so much we can be in awe of.

Today, on this 25^th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus speaks to us and says: “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13b). The question for us is this: How do we endure? To answer this question, Jesus first speaks about what does not endure.

[What Doesn’t Endure]

To our shock and grief, everything on earth will perish. Even the best and greatest on earth is doomed. Jesus says: “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Mark 13:2).

Nothing appears that it will last. In this, Jesus gives us a warning and a preview of the close of the age. He does this to reinforce the faith of His disciples. He does this to strengthen our faith, as well.

You see, by the end of that very week, Jesus knew His fate. He would suffer and die for the sins of the world. He knew that His suffering and death would be a harrowing experience for His disciples. He knew that Satan would use that moment to tear His disciples away from Him. So, in faithful love for them, and us, Jesus speaks to reinforce their faith for the ordeal that was soon to come.

First, Jesus speaks of false teachers as He says, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and they will lead many astray” (Mark 13:5b-6).

These false teachers will insist that the Scriptures support their false doctrine. They say that they have come to a more mature and enlightened view of the Bible by cherry picking Scripture in order to find support for their deceptions.

Now, as bad as false teachers are, they will not endure. We cannot count on false teachings for our salvation. But many people will become deceived and wander off from the Truth. However, during this time, false teachers will provide a further testing of the faithful.

Second, Jesus brings up wars and rumors of wars. He says: “Do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end in not yet” (Mark 13:7b).

There will be all sorts of things that make the news. World War I was first known as the Great War – the war to end all wars, but then came World War II. So, wars come, and wars go. But wars will also not endure.

Third, Jesus speaks of nations and kingdoms. Many believed that the Roman Empire would last forever. It was also once said that “the empire on which the sun never sets” was the British Empire. Many believe that the United States will last forever. But all earthly empires rise, and all earthly empires fall. So, earthly kingdoms and nations will also not endure.

Fourth, Jesus speaks of earthquakes. Fifth, Jesus speaks of famines. The ground will shake, and crops will fail. But earthquakes and famines will not endure.

Sixth, Jesus speaks of persecution saying, “They will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake to bear witness before them” (Mark 13:9). As bad as the persecution may be do our bodily harm or hatred, none of this is aimed at us, this is all aimed at Jesus, as He said, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (Mark 13:13a).

When Christ is proclaimed as the Way, and the Truth, and the Life – the only Savior of mankind – there will be hatred in the hearts of unbelievers. They say: “What about my good character? Isn’t that enough?” or “How are you to tell me how to live my life? All your talk of sin and hell doesn’t scare me!”

Again, the real hatred is not the Christian, it is actually Jesus Christ. Even persecution, as bad as it may be, will not endure.

Lastly, Jesus speaks of family relationships. He says, “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death” (Mark 13:12). So, even family relationships that are very special to us, will not endure.

As followers of Christ, we ought not to be swayed away from Christ by these many signs of the close of the age. Yes, we are to be put on alert, but at the same time, we should not be alarmed. They are, in fact, “the beginning of the birth pains” (Mark 13:8). It’s akin to a tornado watch being a time to be prepared for a possible tornado. And a tornado warning when we must be hunkered down.

[What Endures]

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13b), Christ says.

The reason why we have false teachers, wars, empires falling, earthquakes, famines, persecutions, and broken family relationships is all because we live in a fallen creation. Due to sin that was unleashed by our first parents when they were deceived by Satan, nothing appears to endure.

At the same time, Jesus says: “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13b). But how? How do we endure? Where is that answer?

When we are wondering about the end, where are we to turn? We turn to Jesus! He is the place to go. He is the only One who has the answer.

Even in the Old Testament times, they believed they had the answer on how to endure. As the Holy Spirit inspired the writer to the Hebrews to write: “Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices” (Hebrews 10:11). But they could never take sins away. They sure tried, but priestly sacrifices could not endure. “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12-14).

You see, Jesus endures. He lives forever. He is sinless – like Adam before the Fall – and therefore He is immortal. As the incarnate Son of God, in Him is the fullness of the Godhead. He is the everlasting Temple of which the splendid temple in Jerusalem was just a shadow.

So, just opposite of the Jerusalem temple was the actual Temple Himself. It may seem strange that Jesus, while sitting on the ground, was greater than all those wonderful buildings. In the end, it is only Jesus who is able to endure.

But what about us? If Jesus endures forever, how do we?

We endure by the blood of Jesus! Christ, being raised from the dead, cannot die again. He endures. As the Son of God, He endures forever. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is holy and immortal. He is the everlasting Temple of God.

We endure only through Christ. In Christ alone, we are given the sure confidence that everyone who receives His Means of Grace – by hearing His Word and receiving His Sacrament – and trusts in Him and the fruits of His cross for the forgiveness of their sins will endure!

Due to Christ’s suffering, death, and bodily resurrection, “everyone who lives and believes in [Christ] shall never die” (John 11:26) and “whoever believes in [Christ], though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). In Christ alone, we receive His glorious body, which is imperishable.

Even though we may see everything around us disappear, don’t be alarmed. Therefore, as the sinful world tempts us by saying “I am He” (Mark 13:6) in order to lead us astray, or peace comes to an end through persecution, war, earthquakes, and family ties, always know this: Christ endures. And if we cling to Christ, we also endure.

Over and over again, God reminds us of these facts: “His steadfast love endures forever!” “His righteousness endures forever!” “His faithfulness endures forever!” And “His Word endures forever!”

Thus, salvation will occur for God’s people. Our salvation in Christ cannot be shaken. Nothing – not even Christ’s dire list we heard today – can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. Christ’s one and only sacrifice endures for all time. By grace through faith in Christ alone, we endure to the end. In Christ alone, we are saved! Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T

What About the End Times?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

 

Jesus said to His disciples: “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:4b-8).

 

I have often been asked this question: “Are we living in the end times?” I then typically ask, “Why do you ask?” “What are you thinking?”

 

Well, the short answer to this profound question is: Yes. We are living in the End Times. But the usual question to follow is this: “When did the End Times begin?”

 

Jesus said to His disciples: “‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:7-11).

 

So, the End Times began with Jesus’ bodily ascension into heaven to which He said previously, “Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?” (John 6:62)

 

Since, Christ’s bodily ascension nearly 2,000 years ago, the world has been living in the End Times. Generation after generation has experienced wars and rumors of wars. Generations have experienced nations rising against nations. Generations have experienced famines, plagues, earthquakes, and other weather-related phenomenon. This, the fallen sinful world has experienced. But, if we are living in the End Times, why do these End Times last so long? The answer to this is that we are being tested. Our faith in Christ is being tested.

 

Jesus assures us saying, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:36-44).

 

Regarding Christ not knowing the day and hour, He spoke this during His time of humiliation when He voluntarily limited His divine powers prior to His death upon the cross. Now that He is risen from the dead and bodily ascended into heaven, the exalted Christ certainly knows when He will return, since He has resumed His full and constant use of His divine powers.

 

The end of the world will not be spurred on by man. There is nothing man can do to usher in the Last Day. The Last Day has been prepared by the Triune God — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to earth; on that very day his plans perish” (Psalm 146:3-4). So, we are not to cling to sinful man, since sinful man always follows his sinful desires. Instead, cling to Jesus, for He “is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). By grace through faith in Christ alone, we come to the Father.

 

On the Last Day, the entire world will witness Christ’s return. He will return the same way He went up. On the Last Day, we “will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26) who will “judge the living and the dead” at His appearing (2 Timothy 4:1).

 

In Christ,

Pastor Adelsen