Jesus claimed that he will return again to earth. What will that return be like and why should we take his word for it?
A sermon from Luke 21 and Matthew 24 where we cover the interpretation of these prophetic texts in light of the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Flavius. We saw that:
1. Jesus will come with great power and glory when he returns
2. He will put down the great powers suddenly when he returns
3. We are to prepare for when he returns
4. We are to find our hope and joy in when he returns
Links:
Bob Dylan: When He Returns, from Slow Train Coming, 1979.
Video: When He Returns
Quotes:
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child,
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child,
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child,
A long way from home, a long way from home.
-Afro-American spiritual
“Night is drawing nigh – “How long the road is. But, for all the time the journey has already taken, how you have needed every second of it in order to learn what the road passes-by.
-Dag Hammarskjold
Lift your eyes, Jerusalem, and see the power of your ruler.
Look to a Savior who shall break your bonds.
See! The Lord shall appear, shall not deceive us.
If the Lord tarries, keep watching.
The Lord shall come quickly. Alleluia.
-Monastic liturgy
The iron hand it ain’t no match for the iron rod
The strongest wall will crumble and fall to a mighty God
For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears
It is only He who can reduce me to tears
Don’t you cry and don’t you die and don’t you burn
For like a thief in the night, He’ll replace wrong with right
When He returns
-Bob Dylan, Slow Train Coming, 1979
Scripture Texts: Jeremiah 33:14-16
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Luke 21:25-36
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
“When He Returns” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy. Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 10:00AM. New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org.
Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com.
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