2015: Back to the Future
John 14:1-3
In a few days we will be saying “Happy New Year”! 2015, just saying the date reminds us of how quickly time is marching on. We are moving into a new year and into the 16th year of the new millennium. It is hard to believe that we are already this far into the new millennium. Looking back at 1999 there was such excitement and anxiety about what a new millennium would bring.
We had the Millennium Bug - Y2K; the Euro was established as a currency; Allan Boesak was imprisoned for 8 years for fraud - Apartheid Bookkeeping; Thabo Mbeki became president on June 16 of 1999; The World's population reached 6 billion in October of 1999.
So much more has transpired since 1999 to bring us to our current date that time does not permit me to list all the events of interest. Maybe I have taken you too far back as we reflect on the past in order to give us a sense of our place in the present?
But looking back helps us to do just that. Looking back helps us to assess our place in the present. Sometimes looking back can cause grief and disappointment but it can also be cause for a sense of accomplishment and victory. We all learn important lessons by looking at the past. The past puts the present into context and gives perspective to the future.
In Life Sketches we read: "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history". – {LS 196}
When we apply the lens of the past to our individual lives we experience much of the same feelings and thoughts that the rest of the world shares. We share an apprehension about our future, we share a concern for our collective well being and we share a curiosity about what will happen next. As we approach 2015, we ask - what will the future hold?
Well, I can tell you a few things about 2015 that will happen. I can tell you that the Rugby World Cup will commence on the 18th September with the final on the 31st of October, 2015. That Easter Week-end will be celebrated on 3-5 April 2015. That on September 13, 2015, there will be a Partial Solar Eclipse visible only from South Africa, Antarctica, parts of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. In 2015 Christmas, will be celebrated on December the 25th. Some of you might say Pastor you cheated, you used a calendar.
Now, I have news for you. As we contemplate the future and wonder what lies ahead, just as I can foretell these events by using a calendar our bible can foretell of earthly events yet to occur. We call that prophecy.
Today we look at scripture passages that address the kind of apprehension and curiosity that pervaded the hearts and minds of people in Jesus' day. The people of that time and place were anxious and curious about a coming Messiah that would lead them and free them.
They were intently looking for signs that would lead them to realizing the prophecies of God. And so, to this end, the wise men had studied the ancient writings to interpret the star they had seen in the east around the time of Christ's birth; the disciples of John came asking - are You the One, or do we look for another?
Christ's disciples, on the other hand, having recognized Jesus as the Messiah, were wondering when He would set up His kingdom. And so they came to Him with the question:
"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:3c
Do we share that same perspective today? Is the Lord Jesus' return one of the things you look forward to in 2015? Does the idea of Jesus' return make you want to run into the street and lay down your clothes as a carpet for His arrival? Have you circled the biblical prophecies in your bible predicting the Lord's return?
In the gospel of Mark, chapter 11, Mark relates how the Lord instructed two of the disciples to go to town to find a colt tied up. A colt that no one had every ridden. They were to take it and bring it to Jesus and they were told what to say if asked about taking it.
Mark 11:4-10
4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna!‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!”
Isn't it amazing that the crowd on that day - ordinary citizens of Jerusalem; the rank and file of society; simple folk like you and me - knew the significance of Christ riding on a donkey?
But what was the significance? What made them rush out with palm and other branches? Throwing their cloaks on the ground?
Zechariah 9:9
"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zachariah wrote these inspired words some 500 years before Jesus birth. Yet the people of Jesus day remembered them as they reacted to what Jesus did with the colt.
Do we know the prophecies of Jesus second coming as well as what those in the time of Christ knew about His first coming?
Our hearts should be glad to consider the possible return of Jesus in 2015 just as people were glad to recognise Him as Messiah in 33 AD.
Still I sense that some of us may not be as excited about the Lord's return as we should be. For some of us that excitement and anticipation may have cooled.
2 Peter 3:3-4
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.
Peter goes on to tell us.
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.
Many people think that those who look to the coming of Christ are foolish to be so patient. Many Christians are having their patience tested. Jesus gave us numerous parables that reflected this truth about his second coming. We can look to The Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 or to The Wise and Faithful Servants in Luke 12 or to Mark 13 and the parable of the Keeper of the House.
Mark 13:32-37
32 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!
In 2015 what should we watch for as a sign of Jesus coming? With all the predictions about what might happen in 2015 what should be of first importance?
The bible tells us to watch and be ready. Mark 13:5-8
5 Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, I am he, and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Many people have tried to string together the events that will lead to Jesus second coming in the hope of providing a road map for those who need to find their way through these end time events. Many have tried to set dates; to interpret every little item in the newspaper; to see a conspiracy behind every event taking place in the USA.
One of the most prominent and recent time setters, Harold Camping, predicted that the world would end on May 21, 2011. In March, 2012, he stated that his attempt to predict a date was "sinful", and that his critics had been right in emphasizing the words of Matthew 24:36: "of that day and hour knoweth no man". He added that he was now searching the Bible "even more fervently...not to find dates, but to be more faithful in [his] understanding." He died a year ago.
We do not need another book about end time prophecy or another opinion about when it will occur or what will occur. Our bibles and God’s Holy Spirit should be enough of a road map for us all.
What all of us may truly need is a heart that is anxious to see God’s Kingdom come. It may not occur in 2015 but let us not grow weary at His coming.
We need to remember the words of Christ:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also
John 14:1-3
. . . . A heart that is anxious to see God's Kingdom come.
In 2015 can we pray the Lord's Prayer with conviction?
May we hallow our Fathers name.
Let us eagerly await the coming of His Kingdom.
Let us seek His will in our life.
Let us be grateful for His provisions.
Let us seek forgiveness of our sins.
Let us forgive others.
Let us avoid temptation and rejoice in our deliverance from sin.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are His forever and ever.
CONCLUSION
Friends, does 2015 make you anxious? Would you like to have assurance that your life is right with God? Would you like to have peace of mind and know that all fear is gone?
Jesus says: "Let not your heart be troubled . . . " Jesus can calm your anxious heart; Jesus can wash away your anxiety and fear. Yes, Jesus is coming again, so why not let Him calm your troubled heart today so that you will be ready for His second coming.
"Jesus will still be there" - as the trio sang.
Do not let sin, worry and the cares of this world separate you from an eternity of peace and love. No one knows the day or hour but you can know the One who is coming and be ready to greet Him with Hosanna; with the words, "This is our God, we have waited for Him!"
