WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
June 5, 2011
Communion Meditation
Ascension Sunday
Rev. Mark R. Miller
Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53
“End Times Roadmap?”
I am sure you have heard that the end of the world is coming. The Mayan calendar ends in 2012 so that must be proof the world is going to end. There is also a preacher who has it on good authority that the world is going to end on, oh wait, he meant to say October 21st of this year. Back in 1999 the peddlers of apocalypse were also busy claiming they had special knowledge of the world’s end. And millions of dollars has been made by the Left Behind books and movies. The topic of the world’s end generates as much interest as it does profit. Each claim for the end of the world comes neatly packaged and tied to someone making good money in the process. This type of hucksterism is not new and it is not going away anytime soon.
If we are not to be led astray, we need to know what the scriptures actually say. Over and over when Jesus is asked about the final judgment, he gives no definite answers. He is clear that many will come in his name and claim to know but that they are liars. As a result, Jesus says, do not worry, do not be lead astray, and keep doing what I have told you. It is not for you to know. Instead, feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples.
“The rapture is not an exit strategy!” This is one of my favorite bumper-stickers. Unfortunately, it is usually used by those who are not part of the Christian faith. I actually think it should be a Christian bumper-sticker. The rapture, in pop-American theology, actually came into popular consciousness as a result of a Scottish woman in the 19th century who had a vision. It takes one verse of scripture from I Thessalonians and reads that verse back into the book of Revelation. There are many different takes on how this will all work, but the short story is that Jesus has left us and will return. On this last point there is good scriptural basis. However, they then continue. One day, all the faithful will be taken up to heaven all of a sudden. Then for a period of time there will be wars and struggles until the final judgment.
While I could spend a whole sermon series on looking at the left behind concept and the rapture theology, that is not the best use of our time. Without going too far into that theology, it is, from my estimation, a theology based on faulty thinking. Its biblical foundation at best is paper thin and at worst a manipulation of our sacred texts. Now, this may seem shocking or disturbing or liberating. Wherever you find yourself, may it be the catalyst which moves you to further study. And, if enough of us are interested, I am happy to teach some classes on this topic. However, on this day, I want to talk about Jesus leaving and not speculate upon his return.
When the disciples go with Jesus to see him off, they are uncertain about the future. They know the Spirit of God is coming and that Jesus will return. But they are not given the when and where he will return. This leads to more anxiety. They even ask Jesus when this will all take place. So our desires to know the exact time and place are not new. Jesus simply says, to disciples in all times and place: it is not for you to know. So, the next time a movie, book, or movie and book series, or when a self-appointed prophet claims to have insider knowledge, we have one responsibility: ignore them. And, know they do not speak for God.
The truth is that we have already been left behind, even if we are not left alone. But that is a sermon for next week. Jesus ascended into the heavens and the disciples are left behind. They are left behind to do the work of witnessing, feeding the poor, welcoming the outcast, preaching the Gospel, and making disciples. It is not that we should ignore the promise of a final judgment; far from it. However, it cannot be where we spend a majority of our efforts. When Jesus commissions the disciples to make more disciples, he does not say: Make disciples by preaching fear that they will burn in hell if they do not follow you. Fear of eternal punishment or reward does not play into Jesus’ teaching when he commissions the disciples. Instead, he invites them to invite others into a new way of life. Feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples.
To make any plans based on the return of Jesus is foolish. When the disciples stand at the mountain looking to heaven, they have to be reminded that their life and ministry is right here on earth. We are not called to spend our lives planning for the next life. Our calling is right here on earth. Feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples. So let us not spend our best energy on the things we cannot control. Instead, let us use our best energy, insight, imagination, and creativity doing the most important things…… instead, let us feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples. Amen? Amen!
June 5, 2011
Communion Meditation
Ascension Sunday
Rev. Mark R. Miller
Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53
“End Times Roadmap?”
I am sure you have heard that the end of the world is coming. The Mayan calendar ends in 2012 so that must be proof the world is going to end. There is also a preacher who has it on good authority that the world is going to end on, oh wait, he meant to say October 21st of this year. Back in 1999 the peddlers of apocalypse were also busy claiming they had special knowledge of the world’s end. And millions of dollars has been made by the Left Behind books and movies. The topic of the world’s end generates as much interest as it does profit. Each claim for the end of the world comes neatly packaged and tied to someone making good money in the process. This type of hucksterism is not new and it is not going away anytime soon.
If we are not to be led astray, we need to know what the scriptures actually say. Over and over when Jesus is asked about the final judgment, he gives no definite answers. He is clear that many will come in his name and claim to know but that they are liars. As a result, Jesus says, do not worry, do not be lead astray, and keep doing what I have told you. It is not for you to know. Instead, feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples.
“The rapture is not an exit strategy!” This is one of my favorite bumper-stickers. Unfortunately, it is usually used by those who are not part of the Christian faith. I actually think it should be a Christian bumper-sticker. The rapture, in pop-American theology, actually came into popular consciousness as a result of a Scottish woman in the 19th century who had a vision. It takes one verse of scripture from I Thessalonians and reads that verse back into the book of Revelation. There are many different takes on how this will all work, but the short story is that Jesus has left us and will return. On this last point there is good scriptural basis. However, they then continue. One day, all the faithful will be taken up to heaven all of a sudden. Then for a period of time there will be wars and struggles until the final judgment.
While I could spend a whole sermon series on looking at the left behind concept and the rapture theology, that is not the best use of our time. Without going too far into that theology, it is, from my estimation, a theology based on faulty thinking. Its biblical foundation at best is paper thin and at worst a manipulation of our sacred texts. Now, this may seem shocking or disturbing or liberating. Wherever you find yourself, may it be the catalyst which moves you to further study. And, if enough of us are interested, I am happy to teach some classes on this topic. However, on this day, I want to talk about Jesus leaving and not speculate upon his return.
When the disciples go with Jesus to see him off, they are uncertain about the future. They know the Spirit of God is coming and that Jesus will return. But they are not given the when and where he will return. This leads to more anxiety. They even ask Jesus when this will all take place. So our desires to know the exact time and place are not new. Jesus simply says, to disciples in all times and place: it is not for you to know. So, the next time a movie, book, or movie and book series, or when a self-appointed prophet claims to have insider knowledge, we have one responsibility: ignore them. And, know they do not speak for God.
The truth is that we have already been left behind, even if we are not left alone. But that is a sermon for next week. Jesus ascended into the heavens and the disciples are left behind. They are left behind to do the work of witnessing, feeding the poor, welcoming the outcast, preaching the Gospel, and making disciples. It is not that we should ignore the promise of a final judgment; far from it. However, it cannot be where we spend a majority of our efforts. When Jesus commissions the disciples to make more disciples, he does not say: Make disciples by preaching fear that they will burn in hell if they do not follow you. Fear of eternal punishment or reward does not play into Jesus’ teaching when he commissions the disciples. Instead, he invites them to invite others into a new way of life. Feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples.
To make any plans based on the return of Jesus is foolish. When the disciples stand at the mountain looking to heaven, they have to be reminded that their life and ministry is right here on earth. We are not called to spend our lives planning for the next life. Our calling is right here on earth. Feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples. So let us not spend our best energy on the things we cannot control. Instead, let us use our best energy, insight, imagination, and creativity doing the most important things…… instead, let us feed the poor, welcome the outcast, preach the Gospel, and make disciples. Amen? Amen!
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