Today’s scripture: Matthew 24:15-28 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
In his book, A New Kind of Christianity, Brian McLaren points out that the genre of Biblical apocalyptic literature, which we in the 21st century are not very familiar with, has a lot in common with the genre of science fiction literature, which we’re more familiar with. No one, even those involved in the Fellowship Galactica Oasis at our church, believes that most writers of good science fiction are literally trying to predict the future; they are much more likely making a statement about the present in order that the future might be changed. The same is true of apocalyptic literature.
In this “Little Apocalypse,” found in Matthew 24–25, Jesus is not attempting to be a carnival fortune teller with a crystal ball; but rather in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets, Jesus is utilizing his keen observations of contemporary political and religious events in Palestine to warn those around him of what’s going to happen, as things keep following the current trajectory.
As sure as Isaiah was that the Assyrian armies would conquer the Northern Kingdom of Israel and as Jeremiah was that that the Babylonian armies would conquer the Southern Kingdom of Judea, Jesus could confidently declare apocalyptically that the Roman armies would utterly destroy Jerusalem, which did happen in the war of 66–70 CE. Jesus warns his followers to head for the hills, because not only would the nation’s political capital be destroyed but the old religious order, the Temple worship with its animal sacrifices, would collapse.
But there is hope (there is always hope with the Lord!) during this time of trouble: “if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (verse 22). And so, Jesus makes a statement about the present situation of trouble and of the need for endurance, in Palestine and in our lives, so that the future might be changed.
In my old age, I’ve become a whole lot less concerned with Jesus’ second coming (a term never used in the Bible, anyway). It is sufficient that Jesus has proclaimed the presence of the Kingdom of God, that his crucifixion and resurrection and the coming of his Holy Spirit have brought about the possibility of humanity collaborating with God in a new way. What does the future hold? I truly believe that with endurance in times of trouble, we participate with God in the creation of the future. God is faithful, and so, the future depends on us.
Thought for the day: Lord, may today be the beginning of a new beginning as I/we work together with you so that your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.