The Last

   “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?” For what do you wait? Are you even waiting for anything? I pray that you are all waiting for what is described in our readings for today: the new heavens and the new earth and our return to Zion – the kingdom of heaven. God has not revealed much to us about what our eternal life with Him will be like, but we do get a glimpse of its joys. Consider the poetic imagery from the prophet Isaiah, as he describes the creation of new heavens and a new earth. In this new creation, there will be gladness and joy. There will no longer be the sound of weeping or cries of distress. Death and injustice will be no more. You will enjoy the fruits of your own labor. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together. None shall hurt or destroy in God’s holy mountain. All things will be perfect, peaceful, just, and right. We really ought to meditate on such joys of eternal life more often, and they should be the thing which we wait for, which we expect and look forward to.

But on this last day of the church year before the beginning of Advent, the season which focuses on the coming of our Lord Jesus, there is another immensely important thing that we should remember and contemplate: before the new heavens and the new earth comes judgment. The time of judgment will be swift, and it will be without warning. So now, hear this warning of your Lord: “Watch.” Dear Christian, you must be prepared, lest, like a thief in the night, the bridegroom comes and you are put out into the outer darkness for lack of faith.

Find out more in this sermon from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!