Malachi 4:1-6/Romans 15:4-13/Lk 21:25-36
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
For behold, the Day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The Day that is coming shall set them ablaze,says the Lord of hosts (Mal 4:1). All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree (Is 34:4).
He who speaks and summons the earth shall descend upon the clouds with power and great glory. The bonds that hold the universe together will dissolve. The starry host will burn up and decay. Their fire shall threaten to engulf the world. The oceans will roar and foam. The very machinery that upholds the universe, the scaffolding of the earth, shall crumble to ash. Everything is dust in the wind.
For this is the anti-parable: When the leaves fall you know that winter is close at hand; the sky grows dark and gray, the earth’s light dims during this season of dormancy and death. The end is near.
On this Sunday in 1532, Dr Luther preached, “All indications are that Judgment Day is not far off. For the world has certainly made a very good start in that direction, beckoning it more and more. The mad chase after material things beyond calculating. Among the people the smug self-security is so strong that they laugh contemptuously at preachers. And this overconfident level will grow even worse” (House Postils, !:40).
As it was nearly five hundred years ago, so it was nearly two thousand years ago. For what are the current signs in sun and moon and stars but a ripple effect of the signs in the heavenly bodies that accompanied both our Lord’s entrance into this world and His exit from this world. As it is written, Behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Mt 2:2). And Christ warned, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity. Again, When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him (Mt 2:3).
And later, the signs of His end, indeed the Great Sign of our Lord’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. For there the Son of Righteousness bowed His head and breathed His last, all of creation responding in grief and mourning. Only two chapters from this Gospel, St Luke records, It was now about the six hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed (23:44). St Matthew adds, And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what had taken place, they were filled with awe (27:51, 54).
These signs in sun, moon, and stars - far lesser lights - accompany the great signs of He who is the Light of the world. Indeed all of creation has been groaning together, yearning and longing to be set free by her Creator, who subjected her to futility.
So do you struggle under this futility, enduring the sufferings of this present time, awaiting the glory to be revealed. These former things were written for your instruction. This is precisely why Christ Jesus warns, watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life. “To overload the heart means to be so occupied with the worldly that the heart cannot focus on Christ’s Word.”
Elsewhere He says, Do not be concerned with the cares of this world, what you will eat or what you will drink or what you will wear. The pagans seek after these things, and your Father in heaven knows that you need them. Rather, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:31-33).
For in the midst of the rot and decay, when all this world will be stubble, when the gifts for which you diligently save and shop, the ones you wrap with care and place under this year’s tree, are destined for next year’s junk pile - for nothing lasts forever - one thing remains. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will not pass away. All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever (1 Pt 1:24-25).
Christ Jesus is the Word of the Lord. The Word made flesh. He brings the kingdom of God down to earth and He gives it to men through the preaching of His Word. The one who receives the Word of Christ in faith receives Christ Himself. He receives a piece of eternity in the here and now. A piece of the everlasting among the rotting and decaying world.
All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree (Is 34:4). But it is not the winter of our discontent, dear Christians. For Christ, the Lord of hosts unshaken, declares, Behold the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
His return is immanent. And it is the summer of hope; straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption draws nigh. The Son of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings.
Behold He shines His Light, the Light of His Word upon you today. He gives you a piece of eternity in His enduring Word read and preached. For this is the foundation on which you stand, the proclamation of the prophets and apostles, Christ Himself the Chief Stone. This is your Rock amidst the destructive storm of that Day. All things shall pass away. His Word shall never pass away.
He gives you a share in the everlasting in His Holy Absolution, which is the verdict of the Last Day slipping out ahead of time, pronounced to you in the here and now. His Word shall not pass away.
He has already given you fellowship in Himself, His eternal nature, by the water and Word of Holy Baptism, in which you are clothed in His righteousness and able to stand before the Son of Man. His Word shall not pass away.
And behold, His east facing altar, from whence the Sun of Righteousness rises with healing, bringing you His body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of your sins. With this eternal food the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Stay awake at all times. Give ear to the Word of the Lord that endures forever.
And fear not, dear Christians. For there is no condemnation for you who are in Christ.. In Him you are awake. In Him you pray; for He prays for you and in you, lifting your drooping hands and strengthening your weak knees. Therefore, you who fear His Name, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
For behold, the Day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The Day that is coming shall set them ablaze,says the Lord of hosts (Mal 4:1). All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree (Is 34:4).
He who speaks and summons the earth shall descend upon the clouds with power and great glory. The bonds that hold the universe together will dissolve. The starry host will burn up and decay. Their fire shall threaten to engulf the world. The oceans will roar and foam. The very machinery that upholds the universe, the scaffolding of the earth, shall crumble to ash. Everything is dust in the wind.
For this is the anti-parable: When the leaves fall you know that winter is close at hand; the sky grows dark and gray, the earth’s light dims during this season of dormancy and death. The end is near.
On this Sunday in 1532, Dr Luther preached, “All indications are that Judgment Day is not far off. For the world has certainly made a very good start in that direction, beckoning it more and more. The mad chase after material things beyond calculating. Among the people the smug self-security is so strong that they laugh contemptuously at preachers. And this overconfident level will grow even worse” (House Postils, !:40).
As it was nearly five hundred years ago, so it was nearly two thousand years ago. For what are the current signs in sun and moon and stars but a ripple effect of the signs in the heavenly bodies that accompanied both our Lord’s entrance into this world and His exit from this world. As it is written, Behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Mt 2:2). And Christ warned, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity. Again, When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him (Mt 2:3).
And later, the signs of His end, indeed the Great Sign of our Lord’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. For there the Son of Righteousness bowed His head and breathed His last, all of creation responding in grief and mourning. Only two chapters from this Gospel, St Luke records, It was now about the six hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed (23:44). St Matthew adds, And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what had taken place, they were filled with awe (27:51, 54).
These signs in sun, moon, and stars - far lesser lights - accompany the great signs of He who is the Light of the world. Indeed all of creation has been groaning together, yearning and longing to be set free by her Creator, who subjected her to futility.
So do you struggle under this futility, enduring the sufferings of this present time, awaiting the glory to be revealed. These former things were written for your instruction. This is precisely why Christ Jesus warns, watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life. “To overload the heart means to be so occupied with the worldly that the heart cannot focus on Christ’s Word.”
Elsewhere He says, Do not be concerned with the cares of this world, what you will eat or what you will drink or what you will wear. The pagans seek after these things, and your Father in heaven knows that you need them. Rather, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:31-33).
For in the midst of the rot and decay, when all this world will be stubble, when the gifts for which you diligently save and shop, the ones you wrap with care and place under this year’s tree, are destined for next year’s junk pile - for nothing lasts forever - one thing remains. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will not pass away. All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever (1 Pt 1:24-25).
Christ Jesus is the Word of the Lord. The Word made flesh. He brings the kingdom of God down to earth and He gives it to men through the preaching of His Word. The one who receives the Word of Christ in faith receives Christ Himself. He receives a piece of eternity in the here and now. A piece of the everlasting among the rotting and decaying world.
All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree (Is 34:4). But it is not the winter of our discontent, dear Christians. For Christ, the Lord of hosts unshaken, declares, Behold the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
His return is immanent. And it is the summer of hope; straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption draws nigh. The Son of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings.
Behold He shines His Light, the Light of His Word upon you today. He gives you a piece of eternity in His enduring Word read and preached. For this is the foundation on which you stand, the proclamation of the prophets and apostles, Christ Himself the Chief Stone. This is your Rock amidst the destructive storm of that Day. All things shall pass away. His Word shall never pass away.
He gives you a share in the everlasting in His Holy Absolution, which is the verdict of the Last Day slipping out ahead of time, pronounced to you in the here and now. His Word shall not pass away.
He has already given you fellowship in Himself, His eternal nature, by the water and Word of Holy Baptism, in which you are clothed in His righteousness and able to stand before the Son of Man. His Word shall not pass away.
And behold, His east facing altar, from whence the Sun of Righteousness rises with healing, bringing you His body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of your sins. With this eternal food the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Stay awake at all times. Give ear to the Word of the Lord that endures forever.
And fear not, dear Christians. For there is no condemnation for you who are in Christ.. In Him you are awake. In Him you pray; for He prays for you and in you, lifting your drooping hands and strengthening your weak knees. Therefore, you who fear His Name, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
RSS Feed