Today’s Scripture

Psalm 130       Isaiah 51:4-6       Jude 20-25  Mark 13:32-37

 

Isaiah 51:6b  But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

 

            We have seen the advertisement on television, in newspapers, magazines, and on billboards, “A diamond lasts forever.”   That precious gem is given in love to symbolize love that will last as long as the diamond, forever.  Forever is a long time. 

 

            Today is the last Sunday of the church year and concludes three weeks of studying God’s word about the end of creation as he made it and as we know it.  It is the day of God’s final judgment and the beginning of forever.  In today’s readings the apostle Jude tells us to remain in the faith until the end.  Jesus warns that no one will ever know the day or hour, so be alert and always expect the end.  This prophecy in these passages is true in two ways; the warning of the viability of each one’s personal life and telling of the end of all creation.  For all intents and purposes, they may as well be the same.  Either one is going to happen without human predictability.  The reality is that no matter how permanent something on this earth and in our lives may appear, it is not going to last forever.

 

            There is the old rhyme about the one-horse shay.  The wagon maker was so careful to construct this carriage so that all of the parts were of equal strength.  During its use, it never needed a new rim on a wheel, a spoke repaired, or a sideboard replaced.  But one day, without any warning, everything fell apart all at one time.  This world and the universe, all that God created, will end like that.  Without any warning, everything will be destroyed in one swift action.

 

            “Listen to me,” God says.  Isaiah pleads for all to pay close attention because God is now making an important announcement.  He does not want any one to miss it.  He does not want anyone to misunderstand what he says.  In Isaiah’s writing we have three layers to this prophecy.  Immediate is God’s returning his people to their homeland after captivity.  The intermediate term, only 700 years, is God sending his one and only son to complete the work salvation.  In the total picture, God is telling about eternity.  That is how long his gift of salvation is, forever.  If you miss the message, you will miss forever with him.  When you listen to the message and trust it, you will have forever with him.  That is what salvation is.  Salvation is saving you from an eternity away from God.

 

            This past Monday’s devotion in Portals of Prayer had an enlightening story in it.  A gentleman was just coming alert from surgery.  He noticed that the curtains were drawn and asked the nurse why.  She explained that the building across the street was burning and the medical staff did not want him to see it and think that he had died.

 

            Notice the immediacy of everything spoken of in this verse.  God’s righteousness is near.  It is close by.  It will be at any time.  It is as if you have seen that a car has arrived in the driveway and you know the doorbell is going to ring at any moment.  And when the bell rings, you are still startled.

 

            The islands will look to me.  Imagine being on an island.  It is an isolated position to be in.  Daily you watch for the plane or boat that brings mail and supplies.  You know it is going to come.  Still, you cannot pinpoint the exact time you will see the first shape of the vessel on its way.  And if you are not watching, how it comes on you so suddenly and unexpectedly.  The anticipation for Christians is always great.  As Jesus prophesies in the Gospel, do not let the master return with you unprepared.

 

            Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look to the earth beneath.  Imagine the force and quickness that causes all in the heavens, all stars, planets, other solar systems and galaxies will disappear as quietly and quickly as smoke from a fire.  The earth, like an old garment, will not last forever but will wear out like that most comfortable old pair of shoes.  And our lives are compared to that of flies, of gnats that disappear in the time span of a few short moments. 

 

“But,” the message takes a turn at this point.  There is a contrast to how easily the heavens and earth as we know them will disappear.  There is a contrast to our lives being as short as fragile gnats.  That contrast is God’s salvation.  God’s salvation is saving his people from the terminal state we are in.  God’s salvation is delivering his people from fear of any type.  His salvation delivers from doubts and uncertainties that may exist.  God’s salvation is sure and certain to all who obey his command.  And, his command is to believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, for forgiveness of sins and that life everlasting. 

 

Everlasting, we say it so easily.  Everlasting, it just rolls off our tongues.  Everlasting however is just that, forever.  God wants you longer than that diamond.  His righteousness, giving himself for you, will never fail.  Amen.