The End Times

 

  Luke 21:5-11

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

⁸ He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Our Gospel passages this week focus on the end of the world as we know it, and the return of Jesus to establish his kingdom in its final form.  We don't know when that will be or if it will be as literally as described here, but it will happen at some point. There have been many "predictions" of it over the centuries, the latest being the panic as the calendar turned to the year 2000. Remember how people sold everything in anticipation of the end and woke up on January 1st to the world as usual? No, we have no idea when, even when things look as bad as they do now, but Jesus will come and "make all things new." Our task is to live what he taught us as best we can as if the end were today.  That would certainly change things...for the good...for sure.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, may I live this day as if it were the last, not out of fear but out of a desire to be ready for your Coming Amen.