November 23, 2009 - Monday in the Last Week of the Church Year
Today's Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25
Daily Lectionary: Daniel 3:1-30; Revelation 20:1-15
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The day is coming. This world will end. This earth and these heavens above will pass away. The Lord is going to make new heavens and a new earth. There won't be any sin. The things which make us sad and hurt us now will not even be remembered. So here's the question: Do the new heavens and a new earth include you?
The answer to that question doesn't come when it happens. We don't have to wait until Judgment Day to figure out whether we're in or out. The question has already been answered on Calvary on the day that the Son of God died for sinners on the cross. On that day, the sin which ties you to this heaven and earth was destroyed. On that day, the new heavens and earth became yours.
The answer was also given the day you were baptized. By water and the word, united with Jesus, you were rescued from the old world, the Devil's kingdom, which is passing away and you were made a citizen of the new heavens and earth.
If you ever doubt whether this beautiful future is yours, then listen to your Pastor absolve you of your sins and preach the Gospel to you. That absolution and that preaching are yet, again, God's promise that for Jesus’ sake, He won't let you pass away with this heaven and earth, but has prepared a place for you in the world to come.
Finally, consider that you have Jesus living in you by His own body and blood. This new heaven and new earth is what He Himself has earned and makes. And if He's there, you will be, too, since He lives in you and you live in Him.
Don't doubt it. This heaven and earth will pass away. They will perish. But there is a new heaven and earth waiting for you, because Christ makes all things new. He began that the very day He came into this world and did the work of being our Savior. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation; We often tremble on the way In fear and tribulation. O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty judge, and set us free From death and ev'ry evil. (LSB 508:7)
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