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The End of the World is Definitely Coming
Mari Ikeda
A. Jesus will return to this world (24-27)
24 “But in those days, following that distress,“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
B. Your Church during coronavirus
28 “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. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
C. Your Church after coronavirus
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Summary
Jesus will one day return to this world. At that time, the world as we know it will be destroyed and a new world that will exist with Jesus for eternity will begin. We believe in the enduring love of Jesus even as we live in a world that will one day be destroyed. Just as Jesus suffered on the cross, we too suffer as we struggle with human sin and grow to understand what grieves God. Through it all, we continue to love God, love others, love the world and live in the here and now.
For Discussion
- For what purpose is Jesus coming back to our world? Why hasn’t he returned yet?
- What does it mean for you to “be on guard”?