Matthew 25:31-46 NIV
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If prooftexting were a good practice, then the final verse in Matthew 25 would end all debate about whether there is a Hell and what Hell is like.
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment...”
Matthew 25:46 NIV
Most of the New Testament language about Hell refers to destruction, not eternal punishment. There are those who argue that a loving God, who forgave all people their sins through the cross of Christ, would have no interest in seeing souls tortured for all eternity as an act of justice. Some argue it is unjust to torture a sinful 75 year average lifespan with eternal punishment. Where's the equity in that? It's just not logical. What purpose would it serve God to punish unrepentant and unbelieving sinners forever?
Some might argue that the soul is eternal and there's no getting out of an eternal destination. Either you desire God or not. For those who ultimately rebel and reject God's claim upon their life, there is only utter separation from God waiting for them.
The parable of the sheep and goats is about the final judgement. There's no lawyers to work a plea bargain. It's just you and your Maker. He will decide your eternal fate. Christ will sit upon His throne as King of kings and Lord of lords and judge all souls. He will decide if your life was lived as a taker or a giver.
What's interesting about this teaching is that the criteria for judgement is not in terms of whether we profess belief or not. It's whether we helped the least among us.
Jesus said that the nations would gather around the throne of the Son of Man and they would be separated into two groups. The righteous, like obedient sheep, will be welcomed into the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning. It's like they were predestined to belong to God and behave as faithful servants. The wicked, like brutish goats, will be expelled from Christ's presence into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his minions.
Some have suggested that the reason belief is not mentioned is because this is not the judgement of the church, but of unbelieving gentiles. "The nations" is a biblical way of referencing all non-jewish people. I'm sure you've asked yourself how will God judge those who've never heard the gospel. Their response to people in need is how they will be judged, if that interpretation of this parable is correct.
The apostle Paul argued that gentiles sometimes exhibit an innate understanding of righteousness without a knowledge of the law of Moses, which reveals God's righteousness.
...since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world Godʼs invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20 NIV
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in Godʼs sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Romans 2:12-15 NIV
So Paul taught that a lack of formal training about God did not exclude one from judgement. God is writing His law on our hearts. We have an innate sense of right and wrong. We can betray that innate goodness in which we were created and silence our conscience, but it doesn't change the fact that deep down we know we need to be right with God and live according to His right ways.
I've passed on giving to plenty of beggars and plenty of worthy charities and ministries. I've done good things for people in need, but only sporadically. I'm more of a goat, I think, than a sheep. I am good natured, but also weakened by sinful habits. I usually treat others the way I want to be treated. I have compassion at times for those in need, but I don't go looking for opportunities to help very often. If my generosity is the only criteria by which I will be judged, then I've been lied to all these years that my sins are forgiven and my faith in the mercy of God is not enough.
Perhaps the message of the parable of the sheep and goats is that people who believe in Jesus become like Jesus. They help those in need. Those whose hearts have been filled with the love of Christ through faith feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned and welcome the stranger.
I pray that I might know the Lord more and more, and that His love might purge from my heart all that keeps me from caring about the needs of others.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Amen.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Matthew 25:14-30
Matthew 25:14-30 NIV
“Again, it (the kingdom of heaven) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his masterʼs money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masterʼs happiness!’ “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masterʼs happiness!’ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Matthew mentions weeping and gnashing of teeth nine times in his gospel. The phrase sounds peculiar. It's is a biblical phrase that made it's way into English literature through popular use back when biblical literacy was at an all time high in the 19th century. The phrase is an expression of intense anguish, anxiety, suffering and even hostility toward an enemy or opponent. Weeping and gnashing of teeth is what will be the sad experience of those who do not belong to the kingdom of heaven. As one verse puts it, But they will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12 NIV Exclusion from God's presence is death, a painful one at that. Some believe that hell is a place of perpetual torment, but the biblical concept is more akin to a place of destruction. The trash dump outside the city of Jerusalem in the first century was in the Valley of Hinnom. The Greek word Gehenna, from the Hebrew Gehinnom, is a small valley in Jerusalem and the Jewish and Christian analogue of hell. The terms are derived from a place outside ancient Jerusalem known in the Hebrew Bible as the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. Jesus uses the term gehenna to describe a place where the fire never goes out and the worm never dies. The organic waste piled up in the valley is devoured by fly larva and anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in a low to no oxygen environment and produce methane gas when they digest organic matter. Pockets of methane gas burn perpetually in the trash valley. The flies swarm and maggots eat their fill. This powerful image describes the condition of being cast out of the holy city like human trash. Inside the city God's people dwell in His presence and under God's blessings. There is peace and prosperity, security and solace. But outside the city of God is weeping and gnashing of teeth, intense suffering in the human trash dump. Woe unto the ones who reject the Christ and His invitation to the wedding feast celebrating Christ's union with the church. They will be cast out into the utter darkness to suffer wrath. At what level we are to take the descriptions of hell literally in the bible is a matter of debate. The basic message, however, cannot be denied. To be cast out is a terrible proposition. Jesus came and died and rose again for all of us so that we might be reconciled with God and each other. Jesus tells of a master who entrusts bags of gold to his servants according to their ability. One received 5 bags, another 2 bags, and the last only one bag. The first two doubled the amount through investments and gladly reported so, but the last servant was afraid of his master, and at some level resented the fact that the master expected to reap what he himself didn't sow. So instead of investing, he hid the money in the ground. Notice the motives. In the first two servants I sense a joyful service which reflects how they feel about their master. They are happy to serve him and want him to do well. They wish to please their master and so they invest wisely and double his money. They gladly turn over the profits with celebration. The master in kind entrusts them with more, because they'd been trustworthy with what he had given them. But fear and resentment drives the other servant. How would you describe your relationship with God? Are you eager to please God with your life by using all that He has given you? Or are you more like the last servant who is afraid and doesn't trust his master? God has entrusted to you your natural talents, your spiritual gifts through your faith in Christ, and everything you own. All your relationships are a gift from God. Christians realize they are stewards of what God has entrusted to them. God will call us to account for how we've chosen to use what's been entrusted to us. If we are good stewards of our health we may be entrusted with long life and more time on earth to serve the Lord faithfully. But if we abuse the gift of our bodies, we're going to eventually lose. The Parable of the Talents, as is traditionally called, (for a talent is a year's wages) is both warning and instruction. The warning is for those who would choose poor stewardship, perhaps out of a distorted view of God, one that causes mistrust and fear. But the instruction is for those who love the Lord and desire to please Him. Your faithful service will be rewarded when you hear Him say, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masterʼs happiness!’ |
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 25:1-13 NIV
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Hereʼs the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I donʼt know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus continues His teachings to the disciples about the end. Matthew 25 is a series of parables all illustrating what the end is like and how the church should respond. The first parable is about ten virgins. Five are prepared. Five are not. They are waiting to join a wedding feast, but the groom is taking a very long time to arrive. They must wait with their oil lamps burning. The unprepared nearly ran out of oil and had to go buy more. While they were gone searching for more oil, the doors to the wedding feast were closed and they were not allowed admission. The groom refused them, saying he did not know them. Of course the message is be prepared by being watchful and faithful.
Matthew 25:5 says,
"The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they became drowsy and fell asleep."
Isn't that the sad possibility for the church? We can fall asleep at the wheel and fail in our sacred mission to transform the world with the love of Christ. Apparently Matthew's community was having trouble with the second coming of Christ predictions. Jesus promised to return and take the faithful to paradise, but 2000 years later we're still waiting. It's enough to make anyone question the validity of the promise. The problem is implied in the previous chapter in the parable of the wise and foolish servants.
But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’
Matthew 24:48 NIV
Peter also addresses the church's concern over the long wait for Christ's return. Many had died and yet Christ had still not come.
They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:4 NIV
If the return of Christ is called into question, perhaps all claim of ultimate justice is a religious sham. If then there is no God to judge us, and there's no divine plan or purpose, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. As people drift from hope their morality often slips, as well as their commitment. In the parable of the Ten Virgins the reaction to the long wait is to fall asleep. In the parable of the wise and foolish servants the reaction is wickedness, to abuse others and get drunk.
How might we be sleeping instead of watching for the bridegroom to return? When Christ returns will we be ready? Will we be prepared to join in the festal throng? Or will we be looking for something else?
The parable of the Ten Virgins simply urges us to keep watch. Keeping watch means to live holy and godly lives, doing the things that contribute to the reign of God's love. Witness to Christ. Welcome strangers in fellowship. Teach the Way of Christ. Live no longer for yourself or the desires of the flesh. Live for God and obey the direction of the Spirit.
Oh Husband to the church, we wait upon You with patient hope and ask for grace to keep the lamp lights within our hearts burning only for You. Amen.
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Hereʼs the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I donʼt know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus continues His teachings to the disciples about the end. Matthew 25 is a series of parables all illustrating what the end is like and how the church should respond. The first parable is about ten virgins. Five are prepared. Five are not. They are waiting to join a wedding feast, but the groom is taking a very long time to arrive. They must wait with their oil lamps burning. The unprepared nearly ran out of oil and had to go buy more. While they were gone searching for more oil, the doors to the wedding feast were closed and they were not allowed admission. The groom refused them, saying he did not know them. Of course the message is be prepared by being watchful and faithful.
Matthew 25:5 says,
"The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they became drowsy and fell asleep."
Isn't that the sad possibility for the church? We can fall asleep at the wheel and fail in our sacred mission to transform the world with the love of Christ. Apparently Matthew's community was having trouble with the second coming of Christ predictions. Jesus promised to return and take the faithful to paradise, but 2000 years later we're still waiting. It's enough to make anyone question the validity of the promise. The problem is implied in the previous chapter in the parable of the wise and foolish servants.
But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’
Matthew 24:48 NIV
Peter also addresses the church's concern over the long wait for Christ's return. Many had died and yet Christ had still not come.
They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:4 NIV
If the return of Christ is called into question, perhaps all claim of ultimate justice is a religious sham. If then there is no God to judge us, and there's no divine plan or purpose, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. As people drift from hope their morality often slips, as well as their commitment. In the parable of the Ten Virgins the reaction to the long wait is to fall asleep. In the parable of the wise and foolish servants the reaction is wickedness, to abuse others and get drunk.
How might we be sleeping instead of watching for the bridegroom to return? When Christ returns will we be ready? Will we be prepared to join in the festal throng? Or will we be looking for something else?
The parable of the Ten Virgins simply urges us to keep watch. Keeping watch means to live holy and godly lives, doing the things that contribute to the reign of God's love. Witness to Christ. Welcome strangers in fellowship. Teach the Way of Christ. Live no longer for yourself or the desires of the flesh. Live for God and obey the direction of the Spirit.
Oh Husband to the church, we wait upon You with patient hope and ask for grace to keep the lamp lights within our hearts burning only for You. Amen.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Matthew 24:36-51
Matthew 24:36-51 NIV
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is the appropriate response to the promise of the coming reign of God? If we will all be judged for our behavior and choices in this life, how ought we live? If a time of tribulation will be followed by the second coming of Christ and the full arrival of the kingdom of God, what sort of lives ought we live?
Peter asked the same kind of question.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
2 Peter 3:10-12a NIV
Jesus taught that the day of God, traditionally Judgement Day, will take many by surprise. As a result they will be unprepared. The disciples are urged to keep watch, to live each day as if it will be The Day of the Lord's return. How would you live your life if you lived expecting the Lord to return and end this current era and bring the fullness of the Kingdom of Love?
Jesus has already mentioned the separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end. There's no grey areas. You are either in or out. Therefore God either judges you righteous or wicked and places you where you belong. When that day comes some will be working and one will be taken, but the other left behind.
I use the phrase "left behind" on purpose. The popular fictional series by Timothy LaHaye, entitled by the same, interprets the taking away as the rapture. This doctrine is popular, but not universally believed. If you read closely Jesus mentions the unaware are the ones who are taken, the ones who are eating, drinking and marrying. The unaware are taken by surprise by the flood and swept away. In the same way the ones who are not watching faithfully will also be taken by surprise at the second coming of Christ. They will be removed from the kingdom of heaven.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear."
Matthew 13:40-43 NIV
Jesus tells His disciples to keep watch and be ready. How are we to be ready? Jesus answers that we are to be about our Master's business. He tells of a servant whose master gave them charge of his household with the responsibility to care for the needs of all the other servants, feeding them on time, etc. When the master finds them doing what they were entrusted to do, it will mean reward. But if the servant is lazy and self centered, and gets drunk and abuses the others, it will mean harsh punishment.
He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 24:51 NIV
Notice Jesus says hypocrites, not the wicked or evildoers, like other references to the damned. In the previous chapter Jesus called the religious leaders hypocrites, the Pharisees and teachers of the law at the temple. A hypocrite says one thing but does another. Two faced, they wear a righteous facade, but inside are actually filled with greed, hatred, lust, coveting, prejudice, arrogance and the like. I'm afraid there will be a great many who fit into the category of hypocrite, for our hearts are captive to sin until redeemed by the love of Christ. Until we are transformed inwardly through redemptive grace, we will always live as hypocrites. Fortunately, the Spirit of Christ gives us self control so that we fight sin in our hearts and minds and find grace to resist temptation. We are free to be about our master's business, rather than fulfilling the desires of the flesh.
As you think about how you are keeping watch and preparing yourself for the arrival of the Son of Man and His kingdom, what sort of work are you doing to serve the Master's other servants? How are you using that which has been entrusted to you? Will the Lord be pleased to find you doing what is expected of a good servant, or will He find you self-indulgent and abusive? Will He find your witness to be lacking integrity because you say you will be God's servant, but you don't behave like it?
Be alert. The world needs you watching and working toward the day of Christ's arrival.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is the appropriate response to the promise of the coming reign of God? If we will all be judged for our behavior and choices in this life, how ought we live? If a time of tribulation will be followed by the second coming of Christ and the full arrival of the kingdom of God, what sort of lives ought we live?
Peter asked the same kind of question.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
2 Peter 3:10-12a NIV
Jesus taught that the day of God, traditionally Judgement Day, will take many by surprise. As a result they will be unprepared. The disciples are urged to keep watch, to live each day as if it will be The Day of the Lord's return. How would you live your life if you lived expecting the Lord to return and end this current era and bring the fullness of the Kingdom of Love?
Jesus has already mentioned the separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end. There's no grey areas. You are either in or out. Therefore God either judges you righteous or wicked and places you where you belong. When that day comes some will be working and one will be taken, but the other left behind.
I use the phrase "left behind" on purpose. The popular fictional series by Timothy LaHaye, entitled by the same, interprets the taking away as the rapture. This doctrine is popular, but not universally believed. If you read closely Jesus mentions the unaware are the ones who are taken, the ones who are eating, drinking and marrying. The unaware are taken by surprise by the flood and swept away. In the same way the ones who are not watching faithfully will also be taken by surprise at the second coming of Christ. They will be removed from the kingdom of heaven.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear."
Matthew 13:40-43 NIV
Jesus tells His disciples to keep watch and be ready. How are we to be ready? Jesus answers that we are to be about our Master's business. He tells of a servant whose master gave them charge of his household with the responsibility to care for the needs of all the other servants, feeding them on time, etc. When the master finds them doing what they were entrusted to do, it will mean reward. But if the servant is lazy and self centered, and gets drunk and abuses the others, it will mean harsh punishment.
He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 24:51 NIV
Notice Jesus says hypocrites, not the wicked or evildoers, like other references to the damned. In the previous chapter Jesus called the religious leaders hypocrites, the Pharisees and teachers of the law at the temple. A hypocrite says one thing but does another. Two faced, they wear a righteous facade, but inside are actually filled with greed, hatred, lust, coveting, prejudice, arrogance and the like. I'm afraid there will be a great many who fit into the category of hypocrite, for our hearts are captive to sin until redeemed by the love of Christ. Until we are transformed inwardly through redemptive grace, we will always live as hypocrites. Fortunately, the Spirit of Christ gives us self control so that we fight sin in our hearts and minds and find grace to resist temptation. We are free to be about our master's business, rather than fulfilling the desires of the flesh.
As you think about how you are keeping watch and preparing yourself for the arrival of the Son of Man and His kingdom, what sort of work are you doing to serve the Master's other servants? How are you using that which has been entrusted to you? Will the Lord be pleased to find you doing what is expected of a good servant, or will He find you self-indulgent and abusive? Will He find your witness to be lacking integrity because you say you will be God's servant, but you don't behave like it?
Be alert. The world needs you watching and working toward the day of Christ's arrival.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Matthew 24:26-35
Matthew 24:26-35 NIV
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he (The Messiah) is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the distress of those days
“ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those who have difficulty reading this material as anything other than predictions about the end of the world, this section from Matthew 24 ought to give you pause. The apocalyptic imagery of the Son of Man riding on the clouds, and the angels gathering the elect from the four winds, is certainly compelling to lead one to think that Jesus is not talking about a first century fall of Jerusalem, but the ultimate end of the world. I read it that way for years. But let's look at the prophet Daniel, where much of this imagery finds its source.
Daniel had a vision which involved great beasts rising from a churning sea. These beasts represented kings, which in Daniel represent the four Greek kings who arose after the death of Alexander the Great. Alexander had conquered much of the known world. His generals took over and split his vast kingdom into four parts. From these eventually came Antiochus IV who brutally oppressed the Jews.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’
Daniel 7:13-14, 16-18 NIV
So you see in all this wild imagery there is a simple interpretation. Four kings will rise, but in time they will fall away and the holy people of God will inherit the kingdom! All shall be well.
Here's a selection from Isaiah 11 which speaks of gathering the people of God (the elect as Jesus calls them) from the four directions (from everywhere they are scattered) and bringing them under the government of the messiah. In Daniel the messiah is the Son of Man, but in Isaiah the messiah is the Root of Jesse (a way of pointing to God's promise to keep a descendant of King David shepherding Israel).
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.
Isaiah 11:10-12 NIV
Matthew 24 draws upon this imagery with the same intent. God will end this time of tyranny and give a peaceful and righteous kingdom to His faithful under the administration of the messiah. It's all going to be ok.
Jesus draws upon well known prophetic imagery to teach the disciples. But it's imagery, not to be taken literally, pointing to the redemption of God's people. Through tribulation, God will bring them into a safe and secure future under godly leadership.
Jesus helps us to see that the appearance of the messiah will be fully apparent for anyone looking. Just as vultures circle above a dead carcass, marking the spot, so will be the clear evidence pointing to the messiah. In fact, Matthew has gone to great lengths proving that Jesus is the Son of Man, the promised messiah. For Jesus has healed the lame, blind, deaf, mute, leprous, and raised the dead. He fed a multitude with miraculous food that seemed to suddenly appear, like manna from heaven. The signs and wonders performed by Jesus point to His messiahship.
After the tribulation under oppressive rulers, like the Romans, there will be signs in the heavens also pointing to the coming new era of godly rule. Jesus quotes from Isaiah 13 how the sun and moon will be darkened. Some have interpreted solar and lunar eclipses as signs that the end of the world is near. I think rather that the only light men need is Jesus, the messiah who saves. The heavenly bodies give way for the awesome glory of the savior. Again, this is poetic imagery lauding the glory and majesty of God's messiah, the hope of the nations.
Having said this imagery is not meant to be taken literally, Jesus says that when you see all these signs taking place, then you know the time is near for the messiah to take possession of the kingdom, gather the faithful, and usher in a new era of peace, prosperity and righteousness under the blessings of God. That would lead me to think perhaps this imagery should be interpreted literally. Remember that the imagery points to something actual. What actual signs should we watch for to know the messiah's righteous rule is near? First there will be a time of suffering and great evil. People will be cruel to one another. The state will be oppressive under idolatrous leaders, meaning they will serve something other than the living God. It could be money or their own fame and glory. They may give lip service to faith in God, but their actions will point to where their heart truly lies. But the love of God will remain and the messiah and His church will endure. The wicked will lose their power as the world awakens to what is truly needed.
Now if you're still convinced that reading this passage literally as a prophecy about the ultimate end of the world, then what do you do with this verse? Jesus said,
Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Matthew 24:34 NIV
Either Jesus meant something else other than the end of the world or he was deluded and wrong. Clearly the world did not end in the time of the disciples, although the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple likely felt like the end of the world for them. Some have said "this generation" means the church through all time, but I don't think that's accurate.
Matthew's community suffered the the invasion of Roman forces, the destruction of Jerusalem, the scattering of the people, the persecution of the church from their own kind, and idolatrous leaders both in Rome and within Israel's religious elite. Jesus' words comfort by saying, "It won't always be this way. This time of suffering won't last. Better days are ahead with God's help."
There are a lot of sad and worried people in America right now. Perhaps we all might take a moment to hear Jesus' consoling words. This time of trouble won't last. Good days with God's help are ahead. In fact God is using these days to usher in better days. History has proven that Americans pull together under national crisis. While right now we seem to be pulling each other apart, keep hope in the knowledge that God is working all things together for good. Love wins.
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he (The Messiah) is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the distress of those days
“ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those who have difficulty reading this material as anything other than predictions about the end of the world, this section from Matthew 24 ought to give you pause. The apocalyptic imagery of the Son of Man riding on the clouds, and the angels gathering the elect from the four winds, is certainly compelling to lead one to think that Jesus is not talking about a first century fall of Jerusalem, but the ultimate end of the world. I read it that way for years. But let's look at the prophet Daniel, where much of this imagery finds its source.
Daniel had a vision which involved great beasts rising from a churning sea. These beasts represented kings, which in Daniel represent the four Greek kings who arose after the death of Alexander the Great. Alexander had conquered much of the known world. His generals took over and split his vast kingdom into four parts. From these eventually came Antiochus IV who brutally oppressed the Jews.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’
Daniel 7:13-14, 16-18 NIV
So you see in all this wild imagery there is a simple interpretation. Four kings will rise, but in time they will fall away and the holy people of God will inherit the kingdom! All shall be well.
Here's a selection from Isaiah 11 which speaks of gathering the people of God (the elect as Jesus calls them) from the four directions (from everywhere they are scattered) and bringing them under the government of the messiah. In Daniel the messiah is the Son of Man, but in Isaiah the messiah is the Root of Jesse (a way of pointing to God's promise to keep a descendant of King David shepherding Israel).
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.
Isaiah 11:10-12 NIV
Matthew 24 draws upon this imagery with the same intent. God will end this time of tyranny and give a peaceful and righteous kingdom to His faithful under the administration of the messiah. It's all going to be ok.
Jesus draws upon well known prophetic imagery to teach the disciples. But it's imagery, not to be taken literally, pointing to the redemption of God's people. Through tribulation, God will bring them into a safe and secure future under godly leadership.
Jesus helps us to see that the appearance of the messiah will be fully apparent for anyone looking. Just as vultures circle above a dead carcass, marking the spot, so will be the clear evidence pointing to the messiah. In fact, Matthew has gone to great lengths proving that Jesus is the Son of Man, the promised messiah. For Jesus has healed the lame, blind, deaf, mute, leprous, and raised the dead. He fed a multitude with miraculous food that seemed to suddenly appear, like manna from heaven. The signs and wonders performed by Jesus point to His messiahship.
After the tribulation under oppressive rulers, like the Romans, there will be signs in the heavens also pointing to the coming new era of godly rule. Jesus quotes from Isaiah 13 how the sun and moon will be darkened. Some have interpreted solar and lunar eclipses as signs that the end of the world is near. I think rather that the only light men need is Jesus, the messiah who saves. The heavenly bodies give way for the awesome glory of the savior. Again, this is poetic imagery lauding the glory and majesty of God's messiah, the hope of the nations.
Having said this imagery is not meant to be taken literally, Jesus says that when you see all these signs taking place, then you know the time is near for the messiah to take possession of the kingdom, gather the faithful, and usher in a new era of peace, prosperity and righteousness under the blessings of God. That would lead me to think perhaps this imagery should be interpreted literally. Remember that the imagery points to something actual. What actual signs should we watch for to know the messiah's righteous rule is near? First there will be a time of suffering and great evil. People will be cruel to one another. The state will be oppressive under idolatrous leaders, meaning they will serve something other than the living God. It could be money or their own fame and glory. They may give lip service to faith in God, but their actions will point to where their heart truly lies. But the love of God will remain and the messiah and His church will endure. The wicked will lose their power as the world awakens to what is truly needed.
Now if you're still convinced that reading this passage literally as a prophecy about the ultimate end of the world, then what do you do with this verse? Jesus said,
Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Matthew 24:34 NIV
Either Jesus meant something else other than the end of the world or he was deluded and wrong. Clearly the world did not end in the time of the disciples, although the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple likely felt like the end of the world for them. Some have said "this generation" means the church through all time, but I don't think that's accurate.
Matthew's community suffered the the invasion of Roman forces, the destruction of Jerusalem, the scattering of the people, the persecution of the church from their own kind, and idolatrous leaders both in Rome and within Israel's religious elite. Jesus' words comfort by saying, "It won't always be this way. This time of suffering won't last. Better days are ahead with God's help."
There are a lot of sad and worried people in America right now. Perhaps we all might take a moment to hear Jesus' consoling words. This time of trouble won't last. Good days with God's help are ahead. In fact God is using these days to usher in better days. History has proven that Americans pull together under national crisis. While right now we seem to be pulling each other apart, keep hope in the knowledge that God is working all things together for good. Love wins.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Matthew 24:15-25
Matthew 24:15-25 NIV
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Let the reader understand", says Matthew. As Jesus continues to respond to His disciples request for secret knowledge about the end of this age and the full arrival of the kingdom of heaven, He refers to a desolation of the temple as another sign pointing to the end. What is this desolation that causes abomination standing in the holy place?
The prophet Daniel wrote during a time of Greek oppression. Antiochus IV was a brutal Greek king who ruled over the Jews from 175 - 164 BC. After the Jews rebelled against the Greeks, he attacked Jerusalem, outlawed Jewish religious rites and tried to force the Jews to worship Zeus. He set up an idol to Zeus in the temple, along with other deities of the Greek pantheon. The desolation that causes abomination was the Greek idols placed in the temple by Antiochus IV.
Matthew's Jesus refers to the event in Daniel to point to a new idolatrous act by the Romans, that is to place a bust of Caesar in the temple and the seal of Rome over the temple courts entryway. This eventually happened as part of the journey toward the Jewish revolt against Rome. In 71 AD the Romans sacked Jerusalem and tore the temple down.
The sign of the emperor's likeness as an object of worship is a sign to get the heck out of Dodge, so to speak. Jesus told the disciples to flee Jerusalem and go hide in the mountains. They shouldn't dally about, but hastily make their exit because what's coming to Jerusalem will be the worst yet.
I've always appreciated the notion that those days of tribulation will be cut short for the sake of God's chosen, the saints of the church. It reveals God's compassion. Even still the church needs to watch out for false teachers and prophets during this time of tribulation. Some will perform convincing signs and wonders that will make them appear to be from God, but they will not be from God. They will have their own agenda. (I can't help but think of televangelists)
The tendency to read this passage as a prediction of the end of the world and life as we know it may be appropriate, but remember that Matthew was comforting a community that was soon to face the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Some scholars date Matthew after the fall of Jerusalem in 71 AD, thereby making Jesus' prophecy less prediction and more direction and consolation. If, however, Jesus did historically teach these things, then the church had a 35-40 year insight into the future.
As far as I'm concerned I'm not reading this passage as our future, but rather a first century teaching that spoke to their time. Are there principles that speak to our time?
Flee from idolatry. Some have said that the election of Donald Trump is a sign of the end. Others felt the same way about President Obama. But Americans are less likely to idolize politicians and more likely to set themselves up as their own god.
To each his own.
Whatever makes you happy. Be the master of your own existence.
These are common proverbs of our culture. The world doesn't recommend humility before the creator. Our society is increasingly secular and non-religious. Even the pseudo-religious are keen to say, "I don't need church. I can worship in my own way." The rugged individualism of America, and the values that support it, overshadow the values of the kingdom of God.
Some have said they will leave the country if Trump is elected. If we begin to see wholesale idolatry in our culture and in our congregations, then perhaps we should make a hasty exit, but only if the Lord leads you to do so. Be alert and pay attention to the signs. And remember all these are leading to an end and a beginning. The end of this current corrupt and broken world will give way to the new creation where there will be no corruption, only wholeness and holiness. Keep in the Word, for only then will you have the knowledge to suss out false teachers. And always pray.
We've been told ahead of time. History repeats itself, so don't be surprised if abominations point the way to an end to the great American experiment. I pray our country would repent and turn back to God, but I'm not holding my breath. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Let the reader understand", says Matthew. As Jesus continues to respond to His disciples request for secret knowledge about the end of this age and the full arrival of the kingdom of heaven, He refers to a desolation of the temple as another sign pointing to the end. What is this desolation that causes abomination standing in the holy place?
The prophet Daniel wrote during a time of Greek oppression. Antiochus IV was a brutal Greek king who ruled over the Jews from 175 - 164 BC. After the Jews rebelled against the Greeks, he attacked Jerusalem, outlawed Jewish religious rites and tried to force the Jews to worship Zeus. He set up an idol to Zeus in the temple, along with other deities of the Greek pantheon. The desolation that causes abomination was the Greek idols placed in the temple by Antiochus IV.
Matthew's Jesus refers to the event in Daniel to point to a new idolatrous act by the Romans, that is to place a bust of Caesar in the temple and the seal of Rome over the temple courts entryway. This eventually happened as part of the journey toward the Jewish revolt against Rome. In 71 AD the Romans sacked Jerusalem and tore the temple down.
The sign of the emperor's likeness as an object of worship is a sign to get the heck out of Dodge, so to speak. Jesus told the disciples to flee Jerusalem and go hide in the mountains. They shouldn't dally about, but hastily make their exit because what's coming to Jerusalem will be the worst yet.
I've always appreciated the notion that those days of tribulation will be cut short for the sake of God's chosen, the saints of the church. It reveals God's compassion. Even still the church needs to watch out for false teachers and prophets during this time of tribulation. Some will perform convincing signs and wonders that will make them appear to be from God, but they will not be from God. They will have their own agenda. (I can't help but think of televangelists)
The tendency to read this passage as a prediction of the end of the world and life as we know it may be appropriate, but remember that Matthew was comforting a community that was soon to face the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Some scholars date Matthew after the fall of Jerusalem in 71 AD, thereby making Jesus' prophecy less prediction and more direction and consolation. If, however, Jesus did historically teach these things, then the church had a 35-40 year insight into the future.
As far as I'm concerned I'm not reading this passage as our future, but rather a first century teaching that spoke to their time. Are there principles that speak to our time?
Flee from idolatry. Some have said that the election of Donald Trump is a sign of the end. Others felt the same way about President Obama. But Americans are less likely to idolize politicians and more likely to set themselves up as their own god.
To each his own.
Whatever makes you happy. Be the master of your own existence.
These are common proverbs of our culture. The world doesn't recommend humility before the creator. Our society is increasingly secular and non-religious. Even the pseudo-religious are keen to say, "I don't need church. I can worship in my own way." The rugged individualism of America, and the values that support it, overshadow the values of the kingdom of God.
Some have said they will leave the country if Trump is elected. If we begin to see wholesale idolatry in our culture and in our congregations, then perhaps we should make a hasty exit, but only if the Lord leads you to do so. Be alert and pay attention to the signs. And remember all these are leading to an end and a beginning. The end of this current corrupt and broken world will give way to the new creation where there will be no corruption, only wholeness and holiness. Keep in the Word, for only then will you have the knowledge to suss out false teachers. And always pray.
We've been told ahead of time. History repeats itself, so don't be surprised if abominations point the way to an end to the great American experiment. I pray our country would repent and turn back to God, but I'm not holding my breath. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Matthew 24:1-14
Matthew 24:1-14 NIV
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine! ~ R.E.M.
Jesus leaves the temple after His confrontation with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. On their way out, the disciples wonder at the magnificent structure and buildings of the temple complex. What Herod the Great had built was a marvel to them. Indeed some wrote of the temple as a wonder of the first century world. The temple could be seen for miles as pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem. Herod built the temple with Romanesque architecture. He spared no expense. By doing so he hoped to win favor with the people, especially the religious leadership of the nation.
Fine as the temple mount and complex was, Jesus was quick to dismiss it. Soon it will be destroyed, because of the unfruitful ministry there. Remember the cursed fig tree? Jesus cursed a fig tree because it bore no fruit. The fig tree shriveled up and died. This foreshadowed what was going to happen to Jerusalem and its temple. In 35-40 years the Romans will invade and destroy the temple, tearing it down to its foundations. Today you can view some of the rubble of that temple which archaeologists have unearthed. Not one stone is left upon another.
Intrigued the disciples wish to know when it's all going down. When will be the end of this age and the signs to know the end is coming?
Jesus gives them a very long answer. The next two chapters deal with the end, or as popular culture wrongly labels it, The Apocalypse. The word apocalypse merely means to uncover what is hidden, to reveal mysteries. The disciples want Jesus to share with them secret knowledge that only God knows. That clues us in on how they think of Jesus. They understand He has insight to the mind of God.
Jesus warns them of false messiahs and wars to come, of famine and earthquakes. None of this should cause alarm for these are merely labor pains leading to the birth of the new creation! During this time of turmoil there will be persecution for the church. While this means suffering for Christians, it is still a sign of the coming kingdom! The new creation is near when you see the persecution of Christians.
“...you will be hated by all nations because of me."
Matthew 24:9b NIV
Sadly, because of the persecution of the church, many Christians will denounce their faith in Christ in order to avoid suffering, imprisonment and death. Believers will turn on each other in desperate acts of self preservation. It will be a terrible time.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold..."
Matthew 24:12 NIV
Now before I get too far, let's remind ourselves that this prophecy of things to come speaks more to the immediate future of 1st century Palestine, than it does to our distant future. Historically many of these things had happened to Israel and the church when Rome crushed the Judean rebellion and destroyed the temple. For a Jew, it was like their whole world had come to an end! Without the temple and the religious leadership in tact, the Jews struggled to maintain an identity distinct from others. Rabbinical teachers made all the difference. The church moved in a different direction embracing converted pagans as part of the new community in Christ. It is a rift in Judaism yet to be healed.
In a sense some of Jesus' prophecy had already occurred within Israel, but the community still waited for the coming kingdom. This passage served to placate their desire. There will be more tragedy and more suffering until the whole world hears the gospel.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14 NIV
This current age will end after the whole world has heard the good news of the reign of God's perfect love through Jesus Christ. Until then the church labors to witness to every people in every corner of the globe. Our witness is in words, deeds and the manner of our congregational life.
The world is weird right now. Many think the end is near because of the increasing violence, natural disasters, the creation of ISIS, and the instability of the Middle East. Be careful of prophets and preachers claiming they know when the end is coming. Over the last 2000 years, everyone who has suggested a date has been flat wrong. Jesus said that even He didn't know the actual date for the end.
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Acts 1:7 NIV
Rather than concern ourselves with forecasting the end times, we ought to busy ourselves faithfully witnessing to the good news of God's love and His kingdom come upon the earth through the church of Jesus Christ.
The Newsboys wrote about being overly infatuated with endtimes predictions and preparations. I leave you with a bit of their lyrics.
Lights Out
From Going Public (1994)
Last one turns the lights out, and climbs up to the top of the roof
He's sitting there 'til the Second Coming
Says he's got the mathematical proof
Who do you think you are?
Did you figure out the date?
What do you hope to do
While you sit around and wait, wait, wait...
DON'T GO SHUTTIN' DOWN
'TIL THE TRUMPET SOUNDS
AND THE BATTLE IS WON
DON'T GO PUNCHIN' OUT
'TIL THE FINAL SHOUT
AND THE FATHER SAYS, "WELL DONE"
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine! ~ R.E.M.
Jesus leaves the temple after His confrontation with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. On their way out, the disciples wonder at the magnificent structure and buildings of the temple complex. What Herod the Great had built was a marvel to them. Indeed some wrote of the temple as a wonder of the first century world. The temple could be seen for miles as pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem. Herod built the temple with Romanesque architecture. He spared no expense. By doing so he hoped to win favor with the people, especially the religious leadership of the nation.
Fine as the temple mount and complex was, Jesus was quick to dismiss it. Soon it will be destroyed, because of the unfruitful ministry there. Remember the cursed fig tree? Jesus cursed a fig tree because it bore no fruit. The fig tree shriveled up and died. This foreshadowed what was going to happen to Jerusalem and its temple. In 35-40 years the Romans will invade and destroy the temple, tearing it down to its foundations. Today you can view some of the rubble of that temple which archaeologists have unearthed. Not one stone is left upon another.
Intrigued the disciples wish to know when it's all going down. When will be the end of this age and the signs to know the end is coming?
Jesus gives them a very long answer. The next two chapters deal with the end, or as popular culture wrongly labels it, The Apocalypse. The word apocalypse merely means to uncover what is hidden, to reveal mysteries. The disciples want Jesus to share with them secret knowledge that only God knows. That clues us in on how they think of Jesus. They understand He has insight to the mind of God.
Jesus warns them of false messiahs and wars to come, of famine and earthquakes. None of this should cause alarm for these are merely labor pains leading to the birth of the new creation! During this time of turmoil there will be persecution for the church. While this means suffering for Christians, it is still a sign of the coming kingdom! The new creation is near when you see the persecution of Christians.
“...you will be hated by all nations because of me."
Matthew 24:9b NIV
Sadly, because of the persecution of the church, many Christians will denounce their faith in Christ in order to avoid suffering, imprisonment and death. Believers will turn on each other in desperate acts of self preservation. It will be a terrible time.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold..."
Matthew 24:12 NIV
Now before I get too far, let's remind ourselves that this prophecy of things to come speaks more to the immediate future of 1st century Palestine, than it does to our distant future. Historically many of these things had happened to Israel and the church when Rome crushed the Judean rebellion and destroyed the temple. For a Jew, it was like their whole world had come to an end! Without the temple and the religious leadership in tact, the Jews struggled to maintain an identity distinct from others. Rabbinical teachers made all the difference. The church moved in a different direction embracing converted pagans as part of the new community in Christ. It is a rift in Judaism yet to be healed.
In a sense some of Jesus' prophecy had already occurred within Israel, but the community still waited for the coming kingdom. This passage served to placate their desire. There will be more tragedy and more suffering until the whole world hears the gospel.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14 NIV
This current age will end after the whole world has heard the good news of the reign of God's perfect love through Jesus Christ. Until then the church labors to witness to every people in every corner of the globe. Our witness is in words, deeds and the manner of our congregational life.
The world is weird right now. Many think the end is near because of the increasing violence, natural disasters, the creation of ISIS, and the instability of the Middle East. Be careful of prophets and preachers claiming they know when the end is coming. Over the last 2000 years, everyone who has suggested a date has been flat wrong. Jesus said that even He didn't know the actual date for the end.
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Acts 1:7 NIV
Rather than concern ourselves with forecasting the end times, we ought to busy ourselves faithfully witnessing to the good news of God's love and His kingdom come upon the earth through the church of Jesus Christ.
The Newsboys wrote about being overly infatuated with endtimes predictions and preparations. I leave you with a bit of their lyrics.
Lights Out
From Going Public (1994)
Last one turns the lights out, and climbs up to the top of the roof
He's sitting there 'til the Second Coming
Says he's got the mathematical proof
Who do you think you are?
Did you figure out the date?
What do you hope to do
While you sit around and wait, wait, wait...
DON'T GO SHUTTIN' DOWN
'TIL THE TRUMPET SOUNDS
AND THE BATTLE IS WON
DON'T GO PUNCHIN' OUT
'TIL THE FINAL SHOUT
AND THE FATHER SAYS, "WELL DONE"
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