"When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong...." (Mark 13:14a, NIV)
Our text, of course, has apocalyptic meaning. The event of which our Lord Jesus speaks here will take place, and it will utter in the end of the age.
Yet there is a very real sense in which much has been, "standing where it does not belong," throughout history. A mosque on Temple Mount is an, "'abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong." Churches who have pastors and leaders who do not believe in the Blessed Trinity, the Deity of Jesus, that the Bible is, "God-Breathed," are "abomination[s] that cause[] desolation standing where [they do] not belong." Political leaders, leaders of industry, education, etc., who reject the reign of Jesus Christ in their lives and in the Earth, yes, you guessed it, they are, "'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong."
Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us in the Olivet Discourse, "Watch out that no one deceives you....You must be on your guard....Everyone will hate you because of Me....So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time....Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door....Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away....Therefore keep watch....What I say to you, I say to everyone: "Watch!'"
Jesus is coming and appearing to all. You and I will reign in Him. We will then stand where we belong.
Father, in Jesus' Name, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Amen.
Our text, of course, has apocalyptic meaning. The event of which our Lord Jesus speaks here will take place, and it will utter in the end of the age.
Yet there is a very real sense in which much has been, "standing where it does not belong," throughout history. A mosque on Temple Mount is an, "'abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong." Churches who have pastors and leaders who do not believe in the Blessed Trinity, the Deity of Jesus, that the Bible is, "God-Breathed," are "abomination[s] that cause[] desolation standing where [they do] not belong." Political leaders, leaders of industry, education, etc., who reject the reign of Jesus Christ in their lives and in the Earth, yes, you guessed it, they are, "'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong."
Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us in the Olivet Discourse, "Watch out that no one deceives you....You must be on your guard....Everyone will hate you because of Me....So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time....Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door....Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away....Therefore keep watch....What I say to you, I say to everyone: "Watch!'"
Jesus is coming and appearing to all. You and I will reign in Him. We will then stand where we belong.
Father, in Jesus' Name, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
