Mark 13:24–37

²⁴"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

²⁵and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

²⁶And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

²⁷And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

²⁸"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

²⁹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

³⁰Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

³²"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

³³Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.

³⁴It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.

³⁵Therefore stay awake- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning-

³⁶lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.

³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."

Just the other day I listened to an expert on the radio talk about the end of the world in 2012. I myself am being asked more and more about what is going to happen in 2012. There is a growing level of concern, worry and even fear among many people today. There is also a growing fear of other doomsday scenarios like global warming and asteroids crashing into the earth. If you want to make money, just publish a book about the next great catastrophe that will destroy life on this planet and it is sure to be a best-seller.

Ironically, however, when God says that he is going judge all mankind on the last day, people turn a deaf ear. Most people don't really think God will judge them. People today don't even think there is a real standard of what is right and what is wrong. And if there is, they think that God is too loving to punish anyone or send anyone to hell. While many of you who sit in church pews every Sunday believe that since God has forgiven you it doesn't matter what you do. Your sins are forgiven so you can do pretty much what you please and it won't make any difference.

Well, in our text this morning, Jesus addresses all these issues. He makes several points very clear. First, there will be an end to the world, it really will happen. Second: He himself will come to judge all people, taking some to heaven and sending the rest to hell. Third: because we don't know when this will happen, we must be ready, doing what he has told us to do.

Jesus began this discussion by telling his disciples that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed and there would be a great tribulation; suffering and persecution for his church. After these days are completed, all things will come to an end. The sun will become dark, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the heaven and the powers of the heaves will be shaken. The obvious and clear message is that all material and created things will come to an end. Nothing is going to last forever. Not your possessions, your treasures, not even the clothes on your back. Buildings, houses, cars, and yes, even your bank and all the money in it will be gone. The heavens will vanish like smoke and the earth will wear out like a garment. Only people will remain for the judgment and the elect will be saved for eternity.

What's the point? People are eternal, they are of infinite worth and value. Material things are only temporal and of lesser value. In fact, the value of material things is that they were created by God to serve humans. They were created to be used by people for the well being and pleasure of people. Their importance is only in relation to people. Of ultimate importance is the human race, not material things. Once things are no longer needed by people, they will end and be disposed of by God.

On that day, Jesus Christ himself will return. He will come in power and glory. Is coming in power will be to judge all people. Those who think that nothing will happen if the live in sin or ignore God's commands will on that day be called to justice. They will be accountable for what they have done and what they have not done. They will be called into account for how they lived their lives. There will be a judgment day! And as Jesus points out, woe to those who do not do what their master has told them to do. Those who are caught asleep or not ready. For the master will come unexpectedly. Like a thief in the night. And those who are not doing what he has commanded will be found out and punished.

But Jesus also comes in glory. His glory is the salvation of the elect. Those who are ready will be saved on the last day. He will gather his elect unto himself and they will live forever in glory, sharing his throne in heaven, as children of God and heirs of heaven. For these people, the coming of the last day is not a threat. They do not fear the end of the world. They do not fear all the talk of doomsday or the end. For these people who believe and trust in Jesus Christ, that day is the day of salvation. That day is the day of liberation. That day is the true beginning of life! For the elect in Christ that day is what they have been waiting for and hoping for all this time.

The glory of Christ is that he does anything and everything for his people. He won't stop at anything to save his elect. He gave himself completely to his mission of salvation. He sacrificed himself completely for mankind. That is another reason that humans are of infinitely greater worth and value than all the material things of the world. Because Jesus poured out his blood for them, he gave his life for them. He purchased you for his Father. Jesus won't stop at anything. He not only humbled himself to become a man, but he allowed himself to be spat upon, beat, whipped, and crucified. Then out of total love for you, he went to hell for you and suffered eternal punishment in your place. He has done everything for your salvation and didn't not flinch or complain about the cost to himself. For that reason, your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life.

So on that last day when he comes in glory, he will send his angels out and gather you who repent and believe unto himself. He will gather his elect from the four winds of the earth, from all nations, and languages, and races. That is his glory. The elect will not see death on that last day, but will be saved from the terrors of that final destruction. They will be safe in the harbors of heaven and live in peace in the arms of Jesus.

But, you ask, when will that last day come? Will it be 2012 as they say? Jesus says that no one knows then it will be, not even the angels in heaven know. Not even Jesus in his humility knew. So there is absolutely no reason to listen to any of the predictions of dates or times. No one knows. If anyone says it will be such-and-such day, then don't listen because it is a lie. The signs that Jesus said would happen first have already happened. The end could be thousands of years away. On the other hand, it could be tomorrow. So be ready! You don't know when it will be. Will you be ready? Will you be doing what Jesus told you to do?

How can you get ready? Being ready is a gift from God. You are ready when you repent of your sins and trust in Jesus for salvation. That faith is a gift from God himself. It is not something you do, it is the faith that the Holy Spirit gives you through God's word. It is the faith that the Holy Spirit gives you in baptism. It is the faith that the Holy Spirit strengthens in Holy Communion. How can you be ready? By staying in the word and receiving the Sacrament. The word as it comes to you in the Bible and sacrament is the only thing that can prepare you for that day.

Be ready! Like a master who leaves on a journey and gives instructions to his servants, Jesus left you instructions as well. Like a master who returns from his journey unexpectedly and finds his servants asleep and not doing what he told them to do, Jesus will punish those who are asleep and not following his instructions.

But those servants who are doing what they were told will be rewarded. They will be saved from punishment. But what is it that you were told to do? Jesus told you to love your neighbor and give your life for your neighbor as he gave his life for you. Jesus said, "make disciples in all nations." Jesus said that whoever feeds the hungry, gives drink to the thirsty, helps the poor, visits the sick, clothes the naked is doing it unto him.

That takes us right back to the beginning. The material things of creation, your possessions, your treasures, your skills and abilities, your time exist for the sole purpose to be used for the good of your neighbor. The master has left you with the command to love your neighbor by bringing him to Christ. The master has left you with the command to love your neighbor by helping him in his need for food and clothing and housing. Is that what you are doing? Are you ready? Are you using the material things of creation for the eternal salvation and the temporal well being of your neighbor? That is the command he has left his servants. Do not fall asleep on the job. Stay awake.

Are you ready? Those who have faith in Jesus have been prepared by God himself for that day. You are ready, and that readiness is shown by your obedience to his command. Therefore, do not fear that coming day, for it will be the day of your salvation.

Amen.