End
"So, Jesus, when will the end come?"
They were sitting across from the Temple, and the disciples were admiring the huge stones that made up the Temple complex. The stories had long ago faded into legend as to how the Temple had been built. Or, was being built. Even today, there was still construction going on. This "remodel" or "rebuild" of the Temple showed no signs of stopping. Still, even with construction constantly going on, it was an impressive place, a place these disciples had been taught to love all of their lives.
But Jesus had just said a very disturbing thing. He had told them that all of these massive stones, this incredible place of worship would be destroyed. All of the stones would be thrown down, and nothing much would be left. To their ears, that sounded like the end of the world. So they asked him the next logical question: "When?"
Jesus didn't answer for a while, and they knew better by now than to push him. They sat in silence beside him, trying to be patient. Then he began to speak, and they listened intently.
"Be careful," he said. "There will be many who have all sorts of ideas about the end. But wars, famines, earthquakes...these are things that will happen all throughout history. Even people turning away from the faith—that's bound to happen. Persecution will come, too, at many times, maybe all the time, during history. And there will be preachers who claim to know everything about everything. Yes, the Temple will be destroyed. Yes, there will be difficult times for those who believe. And yes, there will be death and destruction. But those are normal in this broken world.
"So don't worry, and don't fear. No one knows when this will happen, not even me. Only the Father knows that. But I can tell you clearly the thing that must happen before the end: the gospel must be preached to the entire world before the end will come. Every nation must have the chance to know the truth.
"The temptation is to try to figure out the 'signs,' I know that. But that's a waste of time. Instead, keep watch, and share the good news. If you're busy doing that, then you'll know you're doing what I want you to. Do that until the end comes, and you won't have time to fear."
And the disciples kept quiet for a change.
(adapted from Matthew 24)
They were sitting across from the Temple, and the disciples were admiring the huge stones that made up the Temple complex. The stories had long ago faded into legend as to how the Temple had been built. Or, was being built. Even today, there was still construction going on. This "remodel" or "rebuild" of the Temple showed no signs of stopping. Still, even with construction constantly going on, it was an impressive place, a place these disciples had been taught to love all of their lives.
But Jesus had just said a very disturbing thing. He had told them that all of these massive stones, this incredible place of worship would be destroyed. All of the stones would be thrown down, and nothing much would be left. To their ears, that sounded like the end of the world. So they asked him the next logical question: "When?"
Jesus didn't answer for a while, and they knew better by now than to push him. They sat in silence beside him, trying to be patient. Then he began to speak, and they listened intently.
"Be careful," he said. "There will be many who have all sorts of ideas about the end. But wars, famines, earthquakes...these are things that will happen all throughout history. Even people turning away from the faith—that's bound to happen. Persecution will come, too, at many times, maybe all the time, during history. And there will be preachers who claim to know everything about everything. Yes, the Temple will be destroyed. Yes, there will be difficult times for those who believe. And yes, there will be death and destruction. But those are normal in this broken world.
"So don't worry, and don't fear. No one knows when this will happen, not even me. Only the Father knows that. But I can tell you clearly the thing that must happen before the end: the gospel must be preached to the entire world before the end will come. Every nation must have the chance to know the truth.
"The temptation is to try to figure out the 'signs,' I know that. But that's a waste of time. Instead, keep watch, and share the good news. If you're busy doing that, then you'll know you're doing what I want you to. Do that until the end comes, and you won't have time to fear."
And the disciples kept quiet for a change.
(adapted from Matthew 24)
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| "Western Wall," only remaining part of the 1st century Temple complex - August 2000 |
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