Matthew 24:26-35

Toward the end of World War II, the people of Warsaw, Poland were picking through the rubble of their city. Bombs and shells had leveled virtually every building, until only a few chimneys remained standing; grotesque and useless obelisks against the iron gray sky. But the Poles looked up in wonder at one wall of a building that was still standing. It was the only remaining wall of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The wall bore a sign with letters that were still clearly legible even after the many bombardments: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

There will come a day when there will be even greater destruction than any war has inflicted.  On the last day, God will dismantle his created universe: he will extinguish the light of the sun as easily as blowing out a candle; the universe will be taken apart as easily as pulling apart the pieces of jigsaw puzzle.  The Bible says, "The heavens will disappear with a roar" (2 Peter 3:10), "and the sky [will be] rolled up like a scroll." (Isaiah 34:4)  

But Jesus’ Word will not pass away, even when all of creation disintegrates at the command of God.  Just as he said, Jesus will appear, and his coming will not be hidden or secret, but visible to all. It will be as obvious as a lightning flash in the dark of night.  Everyone will see him, even those who pierced him (Revelation 1:7).  Those who rejected him in unbelief will cringe in terror at the sight of him who will appear in the fullness of his divine glory.  But when believers see him on that day, all their hopes will be fulfilled.  The Son of God who had humbled himself for their salvation, shall return in glory and fulfill his promise to take them to be with him in heaven.   Troubles and trials of earthly existence will be left behind and forgotten.  All the time spent worrying about what tomorrow might bring will be over.  Every believer from every corner of the earth, from every age gone by, will be gathered by God’s angels to be with the Lord forever.

For those in Jesus, the end of the world is a door that opens into the infinity of the joy and blessings that he has prepared for them in heaven.  So declares the Word of God that will never pass away.

Luke 13:1-5

Should God see things the same way I do?  I might be tempted to think he should.  Really bad people should be punished more severely.  Really good people should be awarded more generously.  There is only one problem.  When I try to make God into something that makes sense to me, I make God out to be someone that he is not.

The Lord needs to see things from his perspective, and then, act accordingly.  This was Jesus’ point when he addressed those who had questions about the people who experienced tragedies.  The obvious conclusion was that they must have done something really bad to suffer in this way.  Jesus corrects this faulty observation by returning to God’s perspective.

Jesus used words that were simple and direct.  Don’t worry about those who died, rather worry about yourself.  His concluding words were emphatic:  “Repent or perish.”  Jesus offered God’s perspective in a “nutshell.”  He doesn’t fret about who is better or worse.  He doesn’t agonize over which sin is greater or lesser.  His perspective is to the point:  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 6:23).

God’s perspective is what I need to take to heart.  Instead of worrying if others are really bad, or if they are worse than I am, I need to recognize my personal accountability.  I need to be in a right relationship with God.  I also need to understand its God’s perspective that I be perfect (Matthew 5:48).  God accepts nothing less.

The only way I can be declared perfect is through Jesus.  As I repent of my sin, I need to draw on the holiness he secured for me through his perfect life, his innocent death, and his victorious resurrection.  Then, and only then, can I stand before God as he desires.

Repent or perish.  Looking at my life from God’s perspective is terrifying.  It leaves no room for alternatives or arguments.  This is exactly the way God intended it, and it makes me recognize the undeniable truth:  I am powerless to change my sinful situation;  I am incapable of attaining the perfection God demands; I am in desperate need of a Savior.  Mercifully, God provided that Savior by sending his Son, Jesus Christ.  As I repent of my sin and look to him for forgiveness, I will not perish, but I will have eternal life.