Pentecost 25c Luke 21:5-28 The Day is Coming

Malachi 4:1-6 2 Thessalonians 3:1-13

You know the story. During the days of Noah, Scripture tells us that, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6) “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” So when Noah was 500 years old, God instructed him to make an ark because He was going to destroy all the rest of mankind in a great flood.

It took Noah and his family 100 years to complete the ark and we can only imagine how much grief he suffered from the rest of the world.  When Noah and his family entered into the ark the rain started and God closed the only door. (Genesis 7:16) Those outside the Ark realized that Noah truly was a prophet of God but it was too late. Noah could not open the door no matter how many cries for help he may have heard. The time of salvation had ended and those left outside of the ark could not enter into its safety. No one outside of his family believed that Noah was a prophet of God. And so it went throughout Old Testament history. 

When the prophets of old spoke, not many believed them until the prophesies given to them by God came to pass. All of the Old Testament Prophets were killed but later as the prophesies were fulfilled, they were honored as God’s chosen messengers. When Jesus started His prophetic ministry on the Earth, few paid attention to Him as well.  

 In chapter 17 of Luke Jesus prophesied concerning the last days, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.”

Now eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage are not sinful in themselves.  The fact is that eating, drinking and marriage are necessary for life to continue in this world. The problem was that besides the wickedness of their lives, the people lived their lives apart from God and His promises. The sin that the people in the days of Noah committed is the same sin that people today commit; they do not turn to God in worship or prayer.

Jesus continued to say, “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” (Luke 17 26-35)

Jesus said, “One will be taken and the other left.” The confusion for many comes in knowing which one will be taken and which one will be left behind. But Jesus clears up that question for us when He tells us it will just as in the days of Noah.  Noah and his family were left alive on Earth while the wicked were drowned. Noah and his family were the ones ‘left behind’ and the unbelievers were taken away in death.

Malachi prophesied: “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.”  On that great and terrible day, unbelievers will be burned to death in a divine act of God. Even if you are standing right next to an unbeliever, there will be nothing you can do to protect them.

 Just as in the days of Noah the door of salvation will be closed, the time of repentance and faith in Christ will have passed and the unfaithful will become ashes before your very eyes. Do you believe the prophet Malachi? The people of his day did not believe him. And yet many of his prophesies were fulfilled while others are still to come.

So too were prophesies of Jesus fulfilled. In our Gospel lesson for today, Jesus spoke of the destruction of the Temple. Not many people believed this would happen either.

 In fact they used His prophesies to falsely convict Him of crimes He did not commit. Their sin was in rejecting Jesus and His way of salvation. So just like the prophets who went before Him, the greatest Prophet of all was crucified by the very the people Jesus had come to warn.

The Temple, however, was destroyed in 70 AD thereby fulfilling the prophesy He made. Should we not take the Temple destruction as proof that Jesus is truly a prophet of God? It seems like a no-brainer to me. The only thing that is really surprising is even though many prophesies of Scripture pertaining to Jesus as the Christ have been fulfilled, many people still do not believe Jesus is the very Son of God.

Nevertheless, Jesus came to save those who would believe in Him. By His death on the cross, Jesus paid for the sins of all mankind.  He truly is the sun of righteousness that shines into the hearts of many. He is the way, the truth and the light just as He Himself has told us. 

Jesus is the doorway to salvation so that all who enter into His ark called the Church are protected from eternal death. Here in the church you find Word and Sacraments that speak of Jesus Christ as Savior. The waters of baptism point you to the washing away of your sins and the quenching of the fire of God’s wrath through His death. His Supper proclaims His death and His resurrection and His body and blood gives you the forgiveness of sins. 

Those who reject His word, by continuing to live outside the Church and outside of His means of grace will not be able to enter in once Jesus Christ returns. Only those who live their lives under the cross of Christ will gain eternal life. The cross of Christ can cause one to live in fear or in hope. Have you ever noticed that the cross looks like a sword hanging upside down?

During the fourth century Before Christ there was a tyrant ruler named Dionysius.  At first glance, Dionysius was very rich and comfortable, with all the luxuries money could buy; fine clothing exquisite jewelry and delicious food in great abundance. He even had court flatterers to inflate his ego.

One of these paid praisers was a man named Damocles. Damocles specialized in commending the king about his wealth and luxurious life. One day when Damocles complimented the tyrant on his riches and power, Dionysius turned to Damocles and said, "If you think I'm so lucky, how would you like to sit on my throne and try out my life?"

Damocles jumped at the chance, and so Dionysius ordered everything to be prepared for Damocles to experience what life as a rich and powerful tyrant was like. Damocles was enjoying himself immensely until he looked up and noticed a sharp sword hovering over his head, suspended from the ceiling by one strand of horse hair. This, the tyrant explained to Damocles, was what life for him was really like. 

Suddenly Damocles revised his idea of what made up a good life and asked to return to his former role. He then humbly returned to his poorer, but safer life. Those who live apart from Christ’s salvation always have the threat of death hanging over their heads. Consequently they are afraid to look up heavenward or too far out into their future.

On the other hand, as Christians, we can see the signs of the end that Jesus has spoken about. We would be foolish to ignore them as the world does. So too we should live a humble life always giving of our time, talents and faith in anticipation and trust of His coming.  For we know that everyone is under the cross of Christ. As we see that day quickly approaching, we are aware that the thread holding the sword back is beginning to break.

Christ’s death upon that cross is still rejected by many and when they look up on that final day, they will see His fiery sword of vengeance coming down upon their heads.  But you as believers in Jesus will see a sword of Justice. You who believe in the words of Christ will not be caught unaware.  Jesus says, “Now when you see these things begin to take place raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  “Not a hair on your head will perish.” That’s a prophesy and a promise you can trust. May our Lord come quickly. In Jesus name, amen.