Signs of the End of the Age

( Mark 13:1-8)

Hold up a Kit Kat and eat it . . .

'All good things come to an end', so they say.This Kit Kat for example. Let me demonstrate.  It has a beginning, a middle and then the end draws near, and then it's all gone.

Like life and death . . .

I used to think about this, years ago, and frighten myself. Christians are not immune to fears. We're all aware that it's good to be alive, but one day - it will end, what then?

'But, we don't want to think about that' we say, in the style of Chris Tarrant.

It's rather like watching films. They have a beginning, a middle and an end, and we know that the hero/ine will survive; after all they're paid in millions these days, and it wouldn't pay to have them killed off too soon.

Films would become far too expensive if they did that. I think I can name only two films where the her/ine dies at the beginning. Now you probably won't listen to the rest of this sermon, because you're working out which ones you can remember this happening.

  We've become conditioned to identify ourselves with these heroes/ines who live for ever,and we believe that we've got many years left on Earth in which to still enjoy living, and  many Kit Kats still to eat.

And so it comes as a big shock to our systems when we are told this is not so; that our lives on this earth will not be long.

There's none of us wants to think that our planet is dying: overheating, drowning; slowly being choked with pollution, with millions dying and many species of animals becoming extinct.

No-one really wants to believe it will end.

In today's gospel, the disciples wake up to that kind of reality, as they  walk along with Jesus, admiring the breathtaking view of the temple, and the city.

 Jesus prophesies and tells them that the mighty stones, and the massive buildings they are all admiring, will be thrown down.      (This prophecy was actually fulfilled in the year AD 70, when this- the second temple, was burned down by the Romans, and the whole city destroyed.)

We can all guess what the first question is on their lips when they reach the Mount of Olives and sit down. "When- when will his happen? What will be the sign that it is about to happen?" they ask. It could very well bethe question be on our lips too today.

Moving on from the subject of the destruction of the temple, Jesus goes on to warn them of the very end of all things, and talks of a time of great time of suffering and tribulation which one day will come to all people on earth. He tells them about the signs to expect, signs that are but the beginning -the 'birth pains'.

Ever since the Resurrecton of Jesus, to this day, our history has been littered with events such as these, and the birth pains have got steadily stronger and more intense.

Nation is still rising against nation but with greater force, and with casualties of innocents in far greater numbers wiped out, exterminated. There are still the  rumours of wars, terrible wars to end all wars, but still they continue to grow in ferocity and terror.

We have earthquakes and famines, floods and apocalyptic diseases, which we can't seem to tame anymore.

And still we continue to believe, that it won't all come to an end. No After all we are the heroes/ines and we must see the film out.  But Jesus said there would be an end! That there would be a day of judgement, the day of the Lord.

 We are paying the price for our rebellion against God; as we continue to destroy the planet; as we continue to have so little regard for each other and for all that has life; as we continue to flout God's most holy laws.

Right in the middle of this gospel reading,this morning, we find these comforting words spoken by Jesus,"Do not be alarmed."

 How is it possible not to be alarmed in a world such as this? But that's probably what the disciples were thinking too.

But Jesus urges his disciples, time and time again in his last speeches to them, to be watchful, to be fully alert and awake. His words are for us too, to be awake. But what does it mean exactly, to keep awake in the faith?

In order to answer this question, we could turn the question around and ask the opposite question, what does it mean to be asleep? Perhaps only then we can begin to see what we should be doing in what the Bible calls the 'Last Days' or the 'Interim'.

 People who are asleep, are not fully aware of what is going on around them. They live in a dream-world. They do not give, they do not speak out truths,for they are unconscious. They are content and comfortable doing what they are doing, settled into cosy routines and they have no awareness of consequences. They are usually rested, well fed, snug and warm, without any concerns for anyone at all. What is even more obvious is that, in the event of an emergency they are disabled and completely unprepared to react with any speed.

Physically we all have to sleep sometime, but an analogy like this helps us to look at our faith in a new light.

Is our faith alive? Is it vibrant? Is it a working document? Is it working at all? Is it on hold? Is it in suspended animation for a while? Is it waiting for better circumstances?

Is it a faith that is changing lives ? Is it a faith merely going through the motions?

Now is the day of salvation, says Jesus?

Now is the day to get going! Now is the time to live out the faith as best we can; to be merciful to the poor, to be providers for the hungry and be the witnesses of the good news to all humankind.

By keeping our faith in working order and in full strength, fully focussed, we will have everything to rejoice about, when the day of the Lord comes, like a baby finally being delivered after the severest of birth pains. As every mother here knows, the joy that comes when a child is born, chases all the pains away and she remembers them no more.

That's the joy we will know in eternity.

That's the reason we must not be alarmed.