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Subject: With earthquakes and Volcanoes erupting, there is a general feeling of concern in our world that there may be an impending apocalyptic event. The reader is invited to reflect on Jesus' prophetic words concerning the end times, and heed Jesus' advice to be ready for his return.

Note to Reader: The preaching of God's Word (the Bible) is a verbal method of communication—it is always important to remember this when reading a sermon in printed form. While the text may convey the essential content of the message, it is the engagement of preacher/listener which provides room for God to work in a person's life. Please remember to pray for God's illumination and guidance as you embark upon reading this so He can bring his living Word to life in your experience.

Sermon Outline

Scriptures: 1

2 Peter 3:8-15a 2

Mark 13:24-37 2

Introduction 3

1) The Coming Apocalypse. 3

Mainstream Interest in the Apocalypse 3

Jesus Warns of the Coming Apocalypse 5

Have you Ever Wondered: Maybe Now? 5

2) Is Christ Slow in Returning? 6

For Christians, the Apocalypse Means Christ's Return 6

Slow to Return? 7

God's Time Scale is Different Than Ours 8

The Temple Prophecy Fulfilled, July 30 AD 70 9

A Call to Watchfulness and Action 10

3) Be Ready 12

Novel: On the Beach 12

Hope is in Christ Alone 13

God's Patience Means Salvation 14

Do You Know that You Are Safe? 15

Conclusion 16

Believers: Share Your Faith 16

Scriptures:

2 Peter 3:8-15a

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

Mark 13:24-37

   the sun will be darkened,
      the moon will give no light,
   25 the stars will fall from the sky,
      and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Introduction

Start with movie trailer for 2012 (Tibetan monk runs to ring bell of warning as the ocean spills over top of the mountains).

1) The Coming Apocalypse.

Mainstream Interest in the Apocalypse

I haven't seen the movie 2012, but apparently, the special effects – like this short preview has shown – are spectacular, showing in graphic detail the destruction of the whole planet. Movie reviewers seemed to be generally in agreement that it is a tour de force regarding special effects – but the story line is thin … to the point of being non-existent.

But that little video teaser asks a pointed question: What would the governments of the world do to prepare 6 billion people for a coming Apocalypse? Obviously, the producers of the film are not too hopeful.

Have you noticed how much interest there is in the Apocalypse these days? Bob & Doug¹ have both mentioned it in sermons in recent months – and it's hard to ignore the morbid fascination with earth's imminent destruction, which is increasingly a part of mainstream culture. It's not a fringe subject any longer.

To realize just how exactly how un-remarkable the concept of a global disaster scenario has become, look at how the it's made its way even into children's films which are based upon a stark post-apocalyptic world; for example “9” and even Disney's Wall-e.

Google Trends shows a 6-fold increase in searches for the term “Post Apocalyptic” in the past 18 months.² Swedes appeared to be most interested in the topic, with Canadians the 4^th highest ranked country in searches with the term.

Only a few short decades ago, most people would have dismissed a religious person who walked around with a placard saying; “The End is Near.”

Today, it's the scientists and the media who are constantly coming up with new doomsday scenarios. Here are just a few examples;

Jesus Warns of the Coming Apocalypse

So, it is in this cultural context that we turn today to Mark's gospel, in Chapter 13, where Jesus taught the disciples about terrible events that would come in the last days.

Among the events that Jesus identified as signs were; wars and rumors of wars, as well as earthquakes and famines in many places. (Mark 13:7-9)

Have you Ever Wondered: Maybe Now?

I wonder if you're like me: you don't get too worked up about end times scenarios, but when you come through a week like the one we've just been through with natural disasters in various places, you think to yourself “.... mmmm, I wonder ….”

The volcano that's been erupting in Iceland has thrown a huge ash cloud into the atmosphere. Eyjafjallajökull (btw, if the apocalypse were to be the result of a natural disaster – that would be a good name for its epicenter, don't you think? It's very apocalyptic-like).

It only heightens our fears and sense of vulnerability when a volcanic eruption in Iceland can disrupt air traffic in two of the busiest airports in Europe – our modern world seems far more fragile than we once thought.³

2) Is Christ Slow in Returning?

For Christians, the Apocalypse Means Christ's Return

While it is true that there is interest in the Apocalypse, there is a very big difference between a Hollywood tells the doomsday story, and the Biblical account. a) Hollywood typically focuses on the spectacle of the destruction itself (2012) – which is more interesting now, in the age of digital special effects. b) Additionally, there is a lot of interest in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, and how any remaining people might survive (the Road).

But when Christians think about the coming apocalypse, it is for a very different reason – because we believe that Jesus Christ will return, and that these unfolding events may be the signs of his imminent return.

Jesus told us to be watchful, and that we could expect his return when we see these things. … and yet, even as believers, I think there is a part of us that has to wonder why it's been so long.

Slow to Return?

A little boy named Jimmy was laying on a hill in the middle of a meadow on a warm spring day. Puffy white clouds rolled by and he tried to imagine what each cloud reminded him of, as children will often do on such a lovely day.

To his astonishment a voice came from the clouds. “Yes, Jimmy? What can I do for you?”

Knowing that Jimmy couldn’t possibly understand the concept of infinity, God replied. “A million years to me, Jimmy, is like a minute.”

“Oh,” said Jimmy, thoughtfully. “Well, then, what's a million dollars like to you?”

“Wow!” remarked Jimmy, getting an idea. “Cool. Well, God, I know You’re really generous... so ... can I have one of your pennies?”

God's Time Scale is Different Than Ours

It is interesting that in Peter's second letter, in the 3^rd chapter, he addresses this very issue of skeptics in the 'latter days.' [2 Peter 3:4]

4 [scoffers] will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

God's experience of time is different from ours – and his desire to see people to return to him is so great that he is patiently waiting …

The Temple Prophecy Fulfilled, July 30 AD 70

This conversation about the end times that Mark records in the 13^th chapter of his gospel, happened when Jesus was with his disciples at the Temple. They were looking at the giant blocks of stone used to build this massive building and they were impressed.

“Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

But in AD 66 – just a little more than 30 years after Jesus told this to his disciples – Jewish tension with the Romans boiled over into outright rebellion.

On the 30^th of July, AD 70 – the Roman soldiers killed any remaining inhabitants in the city, and they pulled down the temple – stone by stone – until the Temple, and the whole city was left utterly desolate.

According to the historian Josephus, in AD 68 Jewish Christians saw the coming storm and fled to Pella on the far side of the Jordan where they escaped the horrific events that unfolded in Jerusalem.⁵

A Call to Watchfulness and Action

The view of most scholars is that Jesus was speaking of two separate events when he gave these warnings to his disciples; the first was the destruction of Jerusalem, and the second is the future, final global apocalypse.

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return — in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.

As far as I'm concerned – I'm going to go with the one who saw the destruction of Jerusalem – and the one who died and rose again from the dead: the one who ascended into the clouds in the presence of his Disciples … and who the scriptures say, he will return the same way he left⁶.

3) Be Ready

At the beginning of today's sermon, I mentioned the mainstream interest in the Apocalypse. While it is the subject of interest for both people of faith and skeptics alike, the Christian response to this event ought to be profoundly different.

Novel: On the Beach

In March, Jan and I went on a little get-away to Washington for a few days with a couple of our children.

While there, we visited the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center – an air and space museum with a stunning collection of aviation history.

It was particularly interesting for me to walk through the section dedicated to the Cold War. Having grown up under the shadow of a possible nuclear holocaust, it was a chilling reminder of that dark chapter in the world's history.

As I stood there, it brought back to memory the book that I read in High School – perhaps some of you are old enough to remember it – On the Beach, by Nevil Shute. For those of you who haven't read the book, it's about a submarine captain who ends up in Australia following a global nuclear war. The fallout has not yet reached them in the southern hemisphere, and they try to find anyone still alive in the Northern Hemisphere. After a vain search for survivors, they gradually come to terms with the fact that it is only a matter of time until the earth's air currents will carry the radioactive fallout to Australia and blanket the earth in death.

For the person who does not have a living faith in the Lord Jesus, this is what apocalypse means: destruction, devastation, desolation and utter hopelessness.

Hope is in Christ Alone

In stark contrast to these feelings of helpless desperation, the scriptures speak of the coming apocalypse as a reference point to the great hope of humanity – the return of Jesus Christ in the clouds with glory – causing an outpouring of joyful celebration by all those who love Him;

It is a time of terrible destruction … but that will be followed by the fulfillment of our deepest desire; seeing the Lord Jesus face to face. And, knowing that these events will lead to the final destruction of all evil and corruption – and the establishment of God's perfect new heaven and new earth – the believer's response is one of joy and expectation.

It seems impossible, but the Bible talks about the impending destruction of earth with a sense of expectation …

There are wonders and joys on the other side that are so fantastic, that we can't help but look forward to the new heaven and earth …

God's Patience Means Salvation

Because every passing day provides an opportunity for more people to come to faith – to raise their eyes above the horizon of this finite earth-bound lifetime, and discover the gracious, loving God who has a plan to redeem the world – who has made a way for us to have a relationship with him through Christ, our Saviour – and who longs to embrace us in his kindness, love and mercy as we receive Him through faith.

We all make a lot of important decisions in life – but this is the most important one; because its consequences are eternal.

Do You Know that You Are Safe?

If I were to ask you today: do you know for certain that your future is wrapped up in Christ, and you will be among those he will gather from the four corners of the earth – then you will be like Peter; looking forward to the events which will inexorably lead to the new heaven and new earth of God's eternal kingdom.

But if you cannot say with 100% certainty that you will be counted among the saints on that day – I would urge you to examine your life, and turn to Jesus Christ and give your heart to him.

It is possible to know that – even in a coming apocalypse – there is redemption, hope, and comfort in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

Conclusion

Believers: Share Your Faith

And for those who already believe; who have experienced the goodness of the Lord; and who have a foretaste of the glory of God's eternal kingdom … remember; He is not slow to return as some of you understand slowness. He is patient because he does not want anyone to perish.

If you know the Lord, then this is a warning to us to engage in sharing this truth with others. Some will undoubtedly scoff at the idea – but there are many who are yet to hear and believe – and for their sake, we must engage in mission that Christ entrusted to us: telling the world of his Love.

When he returns, I pray he will not find us unprepared, but watchful, ready at any moment for his return in glory ... actively engaged in sharing the truth of his word with others.

Jesus is coming; Look Busy