Sermons

What the Signs Are Telling Us

BY THERESA MCCONNELL | NOVEMBER 27 , 2005
Mark 13:24-37, I Corinthians 1:3-9

We’ve seen the destruction that hurricanes and floods can bring about. Is it any wonder folks have recently been raising the age-old questions again like those in our text. Is the time near? How will we know? There have been many times when people have thought it was “the day of the Lord’s coming.” Yet, Jesus says even he doesn’t know when. So, what are we to do with this text?

I discovered a summary of how the Church has historically viewed the second coming and I want to share them with you. You will see why I say good, faithful folks may see this issue differently. There are five different perspectives… FIVE!

"A . The a-millennia view. The classic view of the medieval church and the reformers. There is no literal millennium or reign of peace on the earth. The Second Coming will mark the time of judgment and the end of the order of existence that we know. The new heavens and the new earth are yet to come. The end-time language of the Bible is to be taken seriously, but not literally.

B. The post-millennial view. The most widely-held view of Methodism before the Civil War. Because of Pentecost, forces have been released on earth that will advance the cause of Christ until justice and righteousness will reign on earth. People and systems can be changed. Nothing is impossible if we trust God. Great missionary and social reform movements were spawned out of this view. Christ will return and time will end after his kingdom is established on earth (literally or symbolically for 1,000 years).

C. The pre-millennial view. The promise of the Old Testament relating to Israel and/or the church is to be understood quite literally. Peace and righteousness are a part of God’s great plan for his Creation. However, because of sin, this peace and righteousness (God’s Kingdom) cannot come about by any efforts of men and women. In fact, terrible tribulation will reveal the depths of sin and suffering before Christ returns. At the return of Christ, peace and righteousness will prevail upon the earth.

D. The pre-tribulation pre-millennial view. The promises of the Old Testament relating to Israel are to be understood literally. The church will be taken out of the world (the Rapture) and a terrible series of calamities will take place on the earth (the Tribulation). Nations of the world will align themselves against Israel. However, God will miraculously intervene. Christ will return and usher in 1,000 years of peace.

E. The figurative view. The biblical language referring to the Second Coming is figurative (or incorrect) and refers to matters we know very little about. The Second Coming is a symbol that teaches us to live in expectation of the future."

Now you’ll be interested to know that this summary is from United Methodist Confirmation Series.

[James W. Robinson, UMC Pastor – A Cup Running Over, (1987); We Believe, Studies in Confirmation and Church Membership for United Methodists. Guide for Teachers. (Wilmore, Kentucky: Good News: A Forum for Scriptural Christianity, 1976), pp. 22, 23. By Permission.] (www.esermons.com is the source from which I retrieved this summary by Rev. Robinson.)

It becomes clear from this review that sincere, faithful Christians have differing points of view about “the Second Coming.” Sometimes people become really passionate about it. But most of the time we hardly think of it. Right?

Now I need you to hang with me on this illustration I’m about to share with you.

In Frankfort, Kentucky (United States) it is said that the city was enthralled in a big debate many years ago about placing a water fountain in a public square. The argument became heated in the legislature and at the governor's mansion. Finally, a decision was made to ask three contractors to bid on the project.

The first contractor was from Western Kentucky. When asked what his bid was he replied, "$3,000." Then he was asked to break it down, to which he replied, "$1,000 for labor, $1,000 for materials, and $1,000 for me." The next contractor was from Eastern Kentucky. When asked to give his bid and to break it down he said, "$6,000. $2,000 for labor, $2,000 for materials, and $2,000 for me."

The last contractor was an established contractor from Frankfort who usually got all of the bids for the capital. When asked to give his bid, he replied, "$9,000." Then they asked him to break it down. He closed the doors, looked around cautiously, and then said, "$3,000 for YOU, $3,000 for me, and we give the bid to the guy from Western Kentucky!"
Now, they had bigger problems in Frankfort than deciding on a water fountain. But so often we can get sidetracked by things that seem important... You know, like fountains or carpet or whatever our preferred style is. We get sidetracked from the things that matter most in life: character, integrity, compassion, and preparedness for Christ's return. This is what Jesus means when he tells his Disciples to watch! (Tim Carpenter, Sermon Illustrations, www.esermons.com is the source from which I retrieved this summary.)

So, now I have a homework assignment for you. You’ll need to get a pencil or pen to write. I know this is a first. But I really do want you to write this assignment down for there actually are some Scriptural guidelines about what we need to be doing while we “watch and wait” for the coming of our Lord. So this next week read and study:

Philippians 1:27-38: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

Colossians 1:10: And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...

Matthew 5:16 16: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

You might find that your activity during the waiting should be more like the expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton at the South Pole. While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!" They replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, 'He may come today.'"

What are the signs telling us? Keep you bags packed; keep your sleeping bags rolled up. “He may come today!”

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