Luke 21:25-26

In our verses for today Jesus tells us that preceding His return there will be signs in the universe – finger marks of God, if you will, causing men to be seized with terror, fainting in the face of awesome cosmic phenomena. When the heavenly bodies start to shake, so do those with feet of clay! I am reminded of the words penned by the prophet Haggai:

21 "Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. Hag 2:21-22 (NIV)

These words are very much akin to the words written by the writer of the Book of Hebrews:

26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Heb 12:26-27 (NIV)

This is a sure reminder of the fact that apart from the transcendent eternal God, there is nothing lasting or meaningful in this life. We are often guilty of expending much effort with no results gained – trifling with the temporal and demonstrating a lack of regard for the eternal – spending rather than investing our resources and time. Solomon describes it thusly with these words in Ecclesiastes:

14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Eccl 1:14 (NIV)

“Our lives have meaning ‘under the sun’ only because of Him who dwells above the sun and beyond the stars – our transcendent Lord Jesus who alone gives us eternal significance.” Robert J. Morgan

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” C. S. Lewis

“The future belongs to those who belong to God. This is hope.” W.T. Purkiser

Peter gives us more insight into the “Day of the Lord”:

3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:3-10 (NIV)

It would do us well to remember that “We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience” – Anonymous.

“Our duty as Christians is always to keep heaven in our eye and earth under our feet.” Matthew Henry

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:11-13 (NIV)

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Corrie Ten Boom