What Can Reformation Lutherans Expect?

1st Sunday of End Time, Reformation Sunday, 11/4/12
Mark 13:5-11


What Can Reformation Lutherans Expect?
I. Expect to see end times signs fulfilled.
II. Expect to see the spread of the gospel.


October 31, 1517. Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic priest, nails 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. I’m positive he never envisioned what would happen after that. In his wildest dreams he never would have expected that many historians would later call the reformation that resulted the greatest event in history. As the hammer in his hand fastened those statements to the door for all to read, he merely expected to bring religious issues out in the open. He intended to foster discussion. He wanted his church’s leaders to take action. He never expected that a Christian denomination would bear his name. In fact, I would think he would oppose such a thing. But that’s what happened.

And here we are today, celebrating the 495th anniversary of that famous day. In doing so, we remind ourselves today how blessed we are that our God has preserved his truth among us. What a blessing that we still believe the three “solas” of the Reformation: sola gratia, sola fides, sola scriptura. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, by Scripture alone. We thank God for his servant, Martin Luther, and for using him to restore to the church the gospel in its truth and purity. We praise God for all those men and women since Luther who have waged the war to preserve God’s truth and have handed it on to us.

So now what? Now that we have the precious, saving truth of God, what’s next? What should we expect?

The Lord Jesus answers that question in the words of our text from Mark 13. We celebrate the Reformation as one of the Sundays of End Time, and rightly so. The return of our Savior to this earth on the Last Day is indeed the next and last great event in the history of the Church on earth. As heirs of Luther’s Reformation what can we expect to happen as that day draws near? What can Reformation Lutherans expect? Let’s ask ourselves that very question and listen to our Lord’s answers.

Part I.

I’m always amazed at what people—even, and at times, especially Christian people—consider to be a sign from God. If my memory is correct, about 10 years ago people were flocking out into the country in Kentucky to see the likeness of the Virgin Mary on the side of a barn. About that same time someone bought a cinnamon bun and there was the face of Jesus. Something out of the ordinary happens and suddenly that’s God telling someone to do this or that. I always urged people to be careful about doing such things. God doesn’t promise to speak to us in such ways. He does promise to speak to us in his holy word. And we have it, by God’s grace, in its truth and purity.

In that word Jesus tells us what to look for. Here are his end time signs. “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” The beginning of birth pains. Those signs are the indications that the return of Jesus is near. Jesus neatly categorizes those signs for us. First he speaks about signs in the religious world. In a word, he tells us to watch for the appearance of false christs. Almost since the day Jesus departed this earth at his ascension, there have been those claiming to be the real Messiah and even the Son of God himself. As incredible as that sounds, it shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus said it would happen. What surprises us is that there are people who actually follow these false christs to their eternal destruction.

The next sign is international in nature. Wars will take place. One nation will rise up against another. One people will bear arms, bombs and vehicles on land and in the air in an attempt to destroy the other. In no way am I a military historian, but it seems to me that, if you look closely enough, you will see that such is the case every day, ever since Jesus spoke these words. Somewhere in the world one nation or a part of it is at war.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, just look at what’s happening in nature. Jesus mentions earthquakes and famines as representatives of all natural disasters. Last week’s Superstorm Sandy was just the latest. I’m sure another will occur this week somewhere in our world. The next storm’s furry will destroy property and claim human lives. It’s tragic and we know such natural disasters are coming, but they’re unavoidable.

In another place in his word, Jesus informs us that, in general, the situation in our world will get worse, not better, as the end draws near. The love of most will grow cold. Man’s inhumanity to man will sink to new lows. As Paul stated in Romans, godless people will enjoy their sinful lives and will invent new ways of sinning.

Isn’t that exactly what we’re seeing today? Is there a single one of these signs that has yet to be fulfilled?

So, what can we, as Reformation Lutherans, expect? Expect to see these end times signs fulfilled, and expect to see it over and over again.

Possibly more than ever, this is a week of expectations and it’s all due to the presidential election. The race is so close no one knows for sure what to expect.

But we know what to expect as Reformation Lutherans. Jesus has laid it out for us and it’s not a pretty picture. I wish I could be more positive about it, but the truth as Jesus shares it with us informs us that in these end times, things are going to be difficult at best and almost unbearable at worst. But that also means that everything is all set. All the end times signs have been fulfilled. The next great event is the return of Jesus. But we’re ready. There’s the good news. We’re ready for his return because we know and trust in him as our Savior. That’s the result of the gospel’s work in us, the gospel that Luther rediscovered. We’re ready. So live like it. Let every disaster remind you of your Savior’s return. Let every disappointment with your life pry your attention away from this sinful, mortal life to the life that Jesus won for you by his life and his death. His resurrection assures you of it. If you’re looking for a sign, look no further than his empty tomb. Because he is risen and rules over all, watch for the signs of the end times to be fulfilled. That’s what Reformation Lutherans can expect.

Part II.

Many times you and other Christians have told me how much it means to you to serve the Lord in doing his kingdom work. When you think about it, that’s the most important work there is. It’s also the only work that has eternal effects. It’s glorious work. But it isn’t easy.

That shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus told us it would be that way. He tells us, “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” He told his disciples flat out that they would suffer persecution from their own religious leaders. In the name of the church they would suffer bodily harm and even death simply for proclaiming God’s saving truth. Martin Luther faced that same thing. It’s still happening. All over the world religious leaders make it difficult to share all of God’s truths. It’s terrible, but it’s true.

And it doesn’t stop there. Jesus spoke about witnessing before governors and kings. That occurred shortly after Jesus’ ascension when his apostles were arrested and put on trial. Their defense was always the proclamation of the gospel—Jesus, crucified and risen. After the time of the apostles, the arrests and the gospel proclamation continued. In some parts of the world it’s occurring right now. And don’t think that it won’t happen here. If the current national health insurance law goes into effect, our church body will not abide by its abortion provisions. We’ll go to court and proclaim God’s truth.

But perhaps the greatest opposition comes from the people of our world. Jesus said elsewhere, “All men will hate you because of me” (Lk. 21:17). They will hate us because they will not put up with what Jesus plainly says in his word. But don’t lose heart. Realize that’s what Jesus said would happen.

In fact, the Church must win. Jesus here promised that the gospel would spread to the ends of the earth and then the end will come. We’re seeing it happen right before our eyes. Modern communication methods have made it possible to take the gospel from this location right here and spread it around our world. The gospel is reaching places thought impossible just a few years ago. And it’s working. Sinners of every nation and language are coming to faith in Jesus as their Savior.

So, what can Reformation Lutherans expect? Expect to see the spread of the gospel.

There are those who think that the Church will eventually die. We often bemoan the state of Christianity in our own country. People openly bash the truths of our God. We wonder where it will end. We worry about our children and grandchildren in a godless world. But we have God’s word right here in its truth and purity. We stand firm on our salvation through faith in Jesus alone. We hold to all of God’s word. What a blessing! What a privilege! But what a responsibility! God’s truth is ours to share. Jesus promises to bless our proclamation of the gospel. Let’s share God’s saving word and expect Jesus to bless our efforts. Amen.