Christ's Return... Today?

Luke 21:25-36New International Version (NIV)

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

As I read this scripture for the first time, for a split second, I became one of those people who thought the world might end tomorrow.  If we check off what Jesus predicts in this scripture, it seems possible that he could have spoke those same words this morning instead of 2,000 years ago.  Strange signs in the moon, sun and stars?  Check.  Roaring seas and strange tides? Check.  People fainting from terror? Check.  Apprehension? Check.  It almost seems that we should see the Son of Man “coming on a cloud with power and great glory” any second now. [look skyward and wait a couple seconds] Christ tells us that when these things start to happen, “stand up and lift up your heads because our redemption is drawing near.”  It seems like this scripture is speaking directly to this day in time.  It seems like Christ spoke these words for us to hear them today.  In this very moment.  Like, right now.  These words seem to hit us right in the face with their accuracy.  That being said, Christ could return in 10 minutes or 10 million years but I think this scripture speaks to us not just because of the current events but Christ himself offered an explanation as to why his words transcend time, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  As we begin Advent we also begin the preparation for Christ’s arrival.  And that means we are also preparing for the arrival of God’s Kingdom to earth.

Advent shows us the tension between our present-day reality and God’s vision of the future.  Advent helps us realize how much further we have yet to go.  I honestly believe we are meant, by we I mean humans, to live in the presence of God’s Kingdom.  I believe that was God’s original plan as He created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  I think we get to experience glimpses of that Kingdom here on earth but Advent helps us see beyond today.  Advent helps us see beyond our present day.  Most importantly, Advent assures us that God has secured a future for us that breaks into our present in such a way that truly changes us in the here and now.  A relationship with God changes who we are to our core.  Every year, Advent helps us realize that change and Advent helps us to remember how far we have come and how far we have to go.  There is comfort in knowing that God created a much different life.  There is hope found in that comfort.  

That is our message for today: hope.  We find it in some of the most unusual places but it often shows up when we need it most.  To be honest, I did not initially see much hope in this scripture from Luke.  On the surface, it seems more like a doomsday prophecy than it does a scripture where we are to find hope.  “This generation will certainly not pass away until all of these things have happened.”  This one verse causes so many theological debates about the exact timing of Christ’s return.  In my opinion, I think that was Luke’s intention.  Luke is writing after the Temple was destroyed and Christians were being heavily persecuted.  Luke wants us to see keep a continual look out for the upcoming signs of God’s nearing Kingdom.  I think it is that nearness, the almost here, narrative that Luke wants us to always be prepared for.  Luke wants us to be on watch.  We should be on a constant watch for these signs because being fully aware of the conditions of those events and people around us ultimately make us more aware of our faithfulness and more aware of God’s impending Kingdom.  William Barclay calls this way of faith a “permanent state of expectation.”  I think this fits well with our message today.  As we watch, and not only watch from a distance, but actively participate and prepare in our watchfulness, we can always find hope in the promises of God.  In the promises that God desires a different life for us.  The fact that God promises eternal life.  Barclay continues by saying, “We must live in the shadow of eternity, in the certainty that we are people who are fitting or unfitting themselves to appear in the presence of God.  There can be nothing so thrilling as the Christian life.”  I think that is exactly where we find hope, even in this scripture.  I think Luke wanted us to live out our faith in the shadow of eternity.  The hope found in knowing God has prepared something different for us changes how we interact in this life.

 Along with Barclay, I often look to Charles Spurgeon to aid in my understanding of the Biblical text.  Spurgeon is spot on with his commentary and gives me a lot to think about.  I struggled all week with verse 32, “This generation  will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”  Most commentators simply ignore the verse because tackling it may seem pretty cumbersome.  I am not going to tackle it either but Spurgeon’s commentary I found humorous, in a nerdy kind of way.  Spurgeon always seems confident in his commentaries.  Never waivers or apologizes.  His commentary for verse 32 starts out by saying, “As I understand it...” No other commentary of his that I have ever read starts out that way.  It appears that he too was not all that confident in his ability to explain the verse.  He ultimately says this prophetic verse has two meanings which means it needs to be fulfilled twice.  Christ fulfilled it the first time he walked this earth and he will fulfill it again when he returns.  Not saying that Spurgeon is wrong, I was just hoping for more of a definitive answer.  

That is probably where most of us sit: looking for a more definitive answer... As the cliche goes, that’s why they call it faith.  My encouragement to you would be to keep looking.  Keep searching for that more definitive answer.  God is not found in the answer itself for He is found in the search.  This Advent season, be reminded to keep a watchful eye.  Keep searching for God’s nearby Kingdom.  By being ever-aware of God’s continued nearness, we are able to bring hope to where it seems lost and where it is needed most.  Continue to live in the shadow of God’s eternity and by doing so we are able to share the good news of His love and grace during the Advent Season and beyond.  It is that love and grace that spreads hope.  No matter our present situation.  No matter the state of the world.  Hope is found in that love and grace.  Keep searching because many will be affected by your efforts.  Amen.