Jesus wants to free us from our dependence on even the best of temporary things.
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
He wants us to be able to see beyond even the most difficult of circumstances.
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.
He refuses to let his name be co-opted by anyone whose agenda is merely historical and temporary.
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
All sorts of difficult things have occurred in history and doubtless will again before the end. Christians must not be so invested in such things as to believe that all is lost if those circumstances are not salvaged.
Christians survived all the changes of civilization between the time of Jesus and today. In the rare occurrence that they both had power and influence and were actually trying to live their faith they did attempt to make the earthly kingdom more like the heavenly one. Yet it was often the case that the civil rulers did not have an agenda that was especially friendly to devout Christians. These Christians, like the Vietnamese martyrs celebrated today, found ways to endure and witness in spite of these circumstances. They were not so desperate for the coming of an earthly kingdom as to forsake their heavenly allegiance. This is the kind of people Jesus wants us to be as we face the challenging circumstances of our own day.
Jesus tells us both not to be deceived and not to be terrified. If we know and remain in the truth, the truth of who Jesus is and the truth of in what his victory consists, the truth will keep us free from terror (see John 8:32). Are we sometimes terrified when we look at thew news? Humanly, this is understandable. But as Christians, it is proof we have been deceived.
We are called to live with reference to the broader horizon of judgment and the coming of the heavenly Kingdom which will utterly relativize all earthly power and authority.
“Use your sickle and reap the harvest,
for the time to reap has come,
because the earth’s harvest is fully ripe.”
The Lord will gather the harvest of those who are in Christ, but crush the rebels in the wine press of his fury. It is vital to keep our gaze fixed on heaven so we do not lose sight of this truth. It may seem terrifying in its own way. But for Christians it can be freeing, for we know that God's judgment will set right all injustice. God himself is merciful, and is allowing amply time for mercy for all peoples before this harvest comes. May our own lives be marked by the sharing of this mercy with others will time still remains.
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
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