Our four part series on the End of the World has come to an end – and a new one begins this Sunday – The Passion of Christ – Verse-by-Verse. I have been very encouraged by your comments on our last series. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that the purpose of apocalyptic literature (literature that “reveals” the future) is not to provide a detailed list of all the events that will transpire, but to encourage us to persevere in trials, assure us that Christ will win the victory and provoke us to holy living. (For a defense of this, see D. Brent Sandy’s book, “Plowshares & Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy.”
In addition, as we have noted, the word “watch” (translated from various Greek words) doesn’t mean we should all stop what we are doing right now, walk outside and stare up at the sky! It simply means to “be ready.” It means, “don’t be asleep.” It means that we should not be so caught up in this world (ie. the beauty of the temple) that we seldom focus on the world to come. (I personally think that this is where many, many American Christians are today.) It means we are ready for difficulty. It means we are excited about the coming kingdom. It means we are “living with all our might (to use Edwards) while we do live” for his glory and honor.
How has focusing on the “End of the World” been a help to you? Feel free to share your thoughts . . .
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This may be a little late to the party, but I just listened to Week 2 (finally), and had a thought that ties into what you said about "watch" and "be ready".
Specifically, in verse 10, Jesus says "And the gospel must first be preached to all nations."
It struck me that if this is not a prediction, perhaps it too falls under the heading of "be ready". "The end is coming, and you're going to face opposition, but it's very important that you find a way to share the news with all nations, however hard it may be."
If true, then it's not that the 2nd coming won't happen until all nations have heard, but that it would be a tragedy if all nations have not heard before He returns, and therefore we must "be ready" by finding a way to tell them.
Is that a reasonable interpretation? Or am I trying too hard to make it fit?
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