Second Presbyterian Church

"Apocalypse Now! Or Then?
Preaching From the Gospel of Luke"
October 2, 2005

Upcoming Events

Worship Schedule

Sermons

About the Church

• Accessibility to the Church

• Directions to the Church

• History of the Church

Church Staff

Groups & Organizations

• Boy Scouts of America - Troop 175

• Choirs

• Presbyterian Women

• SPY (Second Presbyterian Youth)

Committees

• Building & Grounds

• Church Growth

• Congregational Care & Fellowship

• Education & Nurture

• Finance

• Office & Personnel

• Stewardship

• Witness & Service

• Worship & Celebration

Ad Hoc Committees

• Architectural - Engineering

• Building Fund

Presbyterian Internet Sites of Interest

Virginia Links

• Virginia Cities

Web Site Statistics

Site Map

Second Presbyterian Church Homepage

Sermons Homepage » Sermons for 2005 » Sermons for October 2005 » Sermons from the Series on Luke

#64 in the Series on Luke
The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.

• Isaiah 63: 7-14
• Luke 21: 5-38

This is it folks, well almost it. This is the last of the teachings of Jesus to the crowds. From now on it is Jesus with his disciples, the Last Supper, Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Honestly, I don't particularly care to try to preach from passages that are considered "apocalyptic" or a style of ancient literature that deals with images/events in such a way that we really do not totally comprehend. Yet, there are a few points that I would like to point out.

By the time Luke wrote down these words of Jesus Jerusalem had been razed by the Roman Army and the Temple had been totally destroyed. So, we have here smidgens of historical events that had already happened, although not before Jesus had made these statements.

There are some other statements made in this chapter that had been fulfilled, at least in part, in Luke's account of the spread of the Gospel and the Church in the book of Acts. For example, in verse 12 we read:

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

We read in Acts how Stephen was stoned and Peter was put in prison. Later, we read how Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin, then before the court of Felix, Agrippa, and so on. So, much of what Jesus said in this passage had already taken place by the time Luke had recorded it!

One of the points that we can take for ourselves in this passage is one of the points that Luke was trying to make. Luke was writing to a church that had members who had been through some rough times. They were now being persecuted by the Roman Empire. Many had become worn out, discouraged. Perhaps many had left the church; it was too much of a danger to be part of a persecuted and hated group!

Luke's purpose was to shore up these believer's sagging hope. And if there is one thing you can take away from apocalyptic literature is that is designed to give believers hope in God who is ultimately in control, even when it doesn't look like it! Sometimes, when things seem to go very wrong in life, it seems like God is not near. It feels like God has abandoned us. Apocalyptic literature reassures us that this is not true - even when it feels like it!

And in light of that I wish to point out a couple of other amazingly valid points for us to consider - today. The first point is the warning Jesus gives about false messiahs. Jesus said, "For many will come IN MY NAME (emphasis mine), saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' DO NOT GO AFTER THEM!"

Let me see if I have this right. Watch out for those who claim to be more than they are, because if they claim to be more than they are, then they are false messiahs! These are people who claim to have a "New revelation" from God. These are people who claim to be Christian, but what they proclaim is NOT the Gospel. Do we have any of these around? Yes, we do.

Another vastly popular group that would fit this definition of false messiahs are The Church of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons. Joseph Smith (1805-44), founder of the Mormons claimed, in 1830, to have received the Book of Mormon from an angel and to have received priestly powers. Mormons believe in "premortal existence" (a soul exists before physical birth) and the evolution of humanity to eventual salvation.

We have Jehovah's Witnesses. Founded by Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) claimed that they were the heirs of the Messianic kingdom. Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Trinity (God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and the deity of Christ. (fr. Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms).

And we have so-called Christians who are trying their very best to predict the end of the world. When you meet someone who tells you that the end of the world will happen on such and such a date, they are false prophets of false messiahs.

I believe it is dangerous to even dabble in wondering when the end times will be completed: the old creation will pass away and the new creation will arrive. The Bible warns us again and again: do not obsess about when the end of the world will take place - YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW. If one does obsess over the end of the world, it usually distracts them from their Christian Tasks!

Much has been said about Tim LeHaye's Left Behind series. I need to say this. First of all I have not read any of the books, so I do speak from some ignorance here. Second, I have heard him in interviews and LeHaye does refuse to place the events he speculatively writes about in a specific timetable; that is to his benefit. But I believe he contributes to the hype of the last days and the imminent return of the Messiah.

Let's be clear, finally about what is important. First of all, Jesus shall return and he shall return in great power and glory (note verse 27). When Jesus returns, there will be no doubt by anyone that it is He.

Second, in the mean time we are to stay prepared. We are to stay prepared by staying focused upon our task: living the life of a Christian and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all whom we meet. That includes talking about your faith, when the opportunity arrives.

Third, Fear not! I was struck how these verses talk about fear and terror (verses 9 & 26). Look at what we have been through: 9/11, wars and rumors of more wars (Iran), Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis. We live in a time of high anxiety and fear. Even the streets are not as safe as they once were. Yet we are called to Fear Not! Why? We are called to fear not, because, despite the chaos and tragedy around us, we trust God. We trust Jesus Christ that the events of this planet and universe shall ultimately work toward His loving will. Amen.

The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.