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24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Watch therefore--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning-- 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Watch." (Mark 13:24-37 Revised Standard Version Bible)
A most marvelous of Mondays to you, dear Friend! May this first day of work, school, retirement, or whatever - after the holiday weekend be filled with joy and peace. I pray the blessings of being together with loved ones, family, friends, etc. enrich your life in immeasurable ways!
Welcome to the Advent Season! Advent is a time of preparation in hopes of the coming of Jesus. We, as believers, traditionally prepare for Christmas, but as this passage shows, we also prepare for the coming of the Lord again. Are you ready? Let's get ready!
I love the Christmas season, no matter when you decide it starts. Or ends. Nellie, our daughters, and I, have been blessed a number of times in being in the right place at the right time, for unexpected surprises of Christmas preparations and celebrations. When we lived in the Valley and we were returning home to the Valley from the Houston area after Thanksgiving, we happened to stop in Kingsville, Texas, at the right time their nighttime Christmas parade started. And some years later, when we lived in San Antonio, we happened to visit Fredericksburg, Texas, on the night of their Christmas parade. And guess what? We usually miss our local parades!
We do not want to miss out on what Jesus is talking about in this powerful passage. Jesus speaks of coming cosmic events, triggered by a time of tribulation, when the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give out its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and even the powers in the skies will be shaken. It is then, Jesus says, "That the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." This is the beginning of what is to come. This is the Advent Season, a time to prepare for Christmas as well as the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus. The main command is to be ready. The promise of the Lord that even when all seems dire and scary, He is still in control and in command, and this, dear friends, is a message of hope and peace. There will be a process on that day, but no one knows when that day will be. Scholars have long debated when this day will be, and the least talked about is the one where some believe at the day of our death, that will be the day. Are you ready?
Many have made this a "game" for lack of a better word, and some televangelists have made a more than comfortable living proclaiming they know the day or at least the signs that will be. Our history books are filled with certain days in the past when people met on hilltops and countrysides to await the Lord for the signs were all aligned for Jesus to come back, only to find it was not yet the time. Jesus still says, "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come." He then compares it to a man preparing to take a trip, who leaves his servants in charge, and commands the doorkeeper to be on watch. Keep alert, Jesus stresses, for it could be in the evening, or at midnight, or at dawn, or the morning -- be alert because Jesus might find us sleeping. And the passage closes with the one word: Watch.
The world is filled with uncertainty. There are at least two wars going on right now. Threats of others seem to rise with each day. There are wars raging in many hearts; people fighting their own souls; spouses against spouses; neighbor against neighbor; where is peace? Advent is that time to say, "Lord, You Who are the Prince of Peace, come now and come quickly!" We can pray that and believe that, and Christ will bring it. Then, let us be ready for Him to come again.
PRAYER: Father, in this time we cry to You, come! Grant to us steadfast faith and that which keeps us vigilant as we await Your Son's return. May we not be troubled about the signs that could make us fear more; fill us with hope knowing that Your promises are faithful and true. Grant us wisdom and strength to remain faithful to You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Watch!
Receive my love for you and thankfulness for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
