PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: End Times

  • Martin Chemnitz’s Explanation and Sermon Outline for the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Advent

    The following is my translation of Martin Chemnitz’s explanation and sermon outline for the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Advent, Luke 21:25–33, as found in his Postilla, pgs. 42–43. Chemnitz uses a composite text based upon Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, and Luke 24. Curly brackets indicate marginal notes in the original text. Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions.

    Image found in Chemnitz’s Postilla, pg. 40

    Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent

    Explanation of the Gospel

    {In which part of our Catechism this Gospel belongs}

    The doctrine of today’s Gospel belongs in the [second] article of our Christ faith, which reads, “I believe that our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son, became man for my sake, and through His suffering and death, He has paid for and made satisfaction for my sins and the sins of the entire world, He rose again the third day from the dead, and ascended into heaven, from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.” And the order of the doctrine in the Sunday gospels proceeds finely after one another, as in this way the dear ancients [i.e., the Church Fathers] have ordered the texts of the Sunday gospels so that either the following gospel explains the one that precedes it, or as far as the doctrine is concerned, that it follows upon what precedes.

    {A summary repetition of the doctrine for the First Sunday of Advent [Ad Te Levavi]}

    Thus, eight days ago from today, we heard in the Gospel for the First Sunday [of Advent] about the first coming of the Lord Christ, which has not only happened once when He came in the flesh in a visible manner, when He Himself taught and preached, and also finally accomplished the work of redemption, but rather, which still happens to this day and endures until the end of the world [Matthew 28:20], when He comes to us through the Word and His Holy Sacraments in all grace so that He might call us from all our sins, from death, from the devil, and from hell, so that we may once again be reconciled with the dear God, and may come to eternal life. And this doctrine concerning the first coming of the Lord Christ serves to this end, that we not neglect the time of grace, but rather that we recognize our king, embrace Him, seek Him, receive Him, serve Him, and be thankful.

    {The Second Sunday of Advent concerning the coming of Christ for judgment, as it follows after the First [Sunday]}

    This doctrine was presented to us eight days ago. Upon this now follows today’s Gospel, which further instructs us, that, if we do not receive the time of grace, nor make right use of it, then we must further learn from God’s Word and allow ourselves to be instructed what will then one day follow after it, namely, that God at times punishes those who despise His Word in this life, although not all.

    {The good fortune of the godless offends the pious.}

    With most people it goes in such a way that the pious complain that things go better for the wicked and the godless than they do for God-fearers, which often causes great offense. Likewise, when pious Christians hear that their King is coming to them with many goods and treasures which He wants to bring to His subjects, yet which nevertheless is not fulfilled in this life, then they think that nothing will come of it, that these are only empty words, and there is nothing behind it, only “good words of Paul” (bona verba Pauli), as the scoffers are accustomed to speak concerning the comfort of the Gospel.

    {The godless despisers will be punished on the Last Day.}

    Then comes this Gospel and gives us a beautiful instruction and says: There will come a different day, a different time, when the heavens will crack open and the elements will be melted [2 Peter 3:10], and then it will be said: those who have received the King, they will stand on that day, but those who neglected and despised Him, of them it will be said, “And the people will be terrified on earth and will languish.” [~Luke 21:26?]

    {To what end Christ has His coming preached}

    This is the first thing that we ought to consider in today’s Gospel. And because much depends on this for us—that we may rightly prepare ourselves for that day of the last coming of the Lord Christ of which we can have no certain proper report as to when He will come, and, although God in His Word has wanted to reveal to no one the time and hour when this day shall come, even the angels themselves [Matthew 24:36]—so the Son of God nevertheless does this for our good when He first tells us beforehand that this day will certainly come. Thereafter, He also clearly and properly recorded the signs which will precede the Last day and by which one can know that the [Last] Day is not very far; for in addition He has also described how things will proceed on that [Day], as to how the Judgment will be held, what pertains to the process, but especially in what manner the Son of Man will come, namely, in great power and glory, that there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, how the earth and all that is in it will be burned up, that men will tremble, and that the waters will roar. However, the foremost reason for which the Lord reports this is as Mark describes, “Take heed, watch, and pray, for you do not know in which hour the Son of Man will come. What I say to you, I say to all. Watch yourselves that your heart not be weighed down with feasting and drinking, and the cares of sustenance.” (Mark 13[:33–37], [Luke 21:34])

    Concerning these points, we want to hear a brief instruction in today’s Gospel.

    Division of the Sermon [Sermon Outline]

    1. When we heard eight days ago that the King is present with many goods and treasures which the world does not regard, and yet the pious often think that because they do not receive the goods from Him into their hands in this life and that therefore it is nothing and everything said to us concerning this King is in vain; that we, on the contrary, know that it will not remain so for all time, but rather the end will carry the burden (das Ende wirdt die Last tragen), when the day comes which God has appointed in which our King will no longer come in a poor miserable form as He once did at the time to the Jews, but rather with great power and glory to judge the entire world, as St. Paul says in Acts 17[:31], that all creatures will tremble because of it, and then the godless will learn who He is whom they now utterly despise and the pious will find that they have not believed in Him and hoped in Him in vain.
    2. How each person, to whom his salvation is dear, ought to prepare for it and make himself ready for the time, so that the Day of the Lord may not come upon him unexpectedly, because He will come suddenly and when one expects it the least, as a thief in the night, or as lightning, or as the birds are caught; and what things one should be diligent in, namely, three things: (1) that we guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance; (2) that we watch, prepare, and arm ourselves with everything that serves to this end so that we may be fitted and ready to stand on that day; and (3) that we pray that God would make us fit for all of this, because our guarding and watching will otherwise not accomplish it (außmachen; [read ausführen]).
    3. How finally, we ought not fear this day, nor be terrified of it, but rather rejoice and lift up our heads, because this day is not a day of wrath (ein Tag des Zorns) for us as it is for the godless, but it is a day of refreshment (ein Tag der Erquickung), a day when everything will be restored to us which may have been lacking to us in this life.

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 21:25–33 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion), Luke 21:25–33, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. A prophecy concerning the end of the world, in which signs are recounted in like manner. (v. 25–38)

    Annotated Text

    25. “And * there will be seen signs in the sun, moon, and stars (for the sun and the moon will lose their radiance and the stars will fall from heaven); and there will be anxiety among the people1 (especially the godless), and they will be timid (so that they do not know what to do); † and the sea and the waves will roar (The waters will burst forth, destroy land and people, and otherwise roar and rage in terrible unheard ways).

    * Isaiah 31:10; Matthew 24:29

    1 Greek: “the peoples” [ἐθνῶν]

    † Psalm 46:4 (Mark 13:24; Joel 3:4; Revelation 6:12)

    26. And men will be * languishing from fear and from expectation of the things which are shall come upon the earth (on account of the terrifying signs; therefore, the people on earth will have to wait for nothing other than the Last Day and the end of the world); for even the powers of the heavens will be shaken (the heavens with their stars will not be as powerful as before for warmth, fruitfulness, and for hidden workings).

    * Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 24:23

    27. And * then (immediately after these preceding signs) they (the people on earth) will see the Son of Man (Christ in His assumed humanity) coming in the clouds with great power and glory (He will allow His divine omnipotence and glory communicated to Him according to His human nature to be seen and heard everywhere).

    * Daniel 7:13 (Matthew 26:64)

    28. But when you see these things begin to happen (do not wait only for the last moment, but rather when you see beforehand these things that are preached come into fulfillment more and more), so (you believers) look up (be renewed in your courage), and raise your heads (and hearts with joyful confidence and heartfelt longing), * for your redemption (indeed more and more) draws near (because it is present that through the Last Day you shall be completely delivered from all evil, Romans 8:23).”

    * Romans 8:21, 23

    29. And He (Christ) spoke to them a parable (how to recognize the presence of the Last Day), * “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

    * Matthew 24:32 (Mark 13:28)

    30. When they are already budding, you see in them and take note that summer is now near.

    31. So also you (believers and pious people), when you see all these things happening, then know that the Kingdom of God is near (do not be all to terrified at the signs previously recounted, but rather assure and comfort yourselves that you shall soon be relocated into the kingdom of eternal joy and glory and shall have your joyful everlasting summer there).

    32. Truly, * I say to you, this generation (of the Jews) will not pass away (not entirely be eradicated, but rather wander about, scattered here and there), until all this happens (until the Last Day shall come upon the previously mentioned signs).

    * Matthew 24:34ff.

    33. * Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words † will not pass away.

    * Luke 16:17; Psalm 102:27; Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 5:18

    † Isaiah 40:8

    34. But guard yourselves, that your hearts are not weighed down (that they cannot lift themselves to God on high with devotion in prayer, faith, hope, etc.) with * gluttony and drunkenness, and with cares of sustenance, and the day (the day of judgment) comes upon you quickly.

    * Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18 (1 Thessalonians 5:5ff.; 1 Peter 4:7ff.)

    35. For * it will come as a snare upon all who dwell on earth (just as a bird-catcher casts the net unexpectedly and swiftly over the birds when they hop about on the ground, pick up the grains, and fear no evil, so also when the godless and the earthly minded children of the world are secure, gorging and getting and drunk, and indulging in the lusts of this world, they will be suddenly and unexpectedly trapped and startled by the Last Day).

    * 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (2 Peter 3:10)

    36. So now you therefore be vigorous (vigilant) at all times (flee security and live always in Christian preparedness), and pray, that you may be worthy (deemed worthy by God by grace), to escape all these things that (before and on the Last Day, in a terrible manner, especially with swift abruptness, v. 35) shall happen, and to stand1 before the Son of Man (that you may appear before the judgment seat of Christ with a joyful countenance and a good conscience and not be rejected by Him with the godless, Psalm 1:5; Wisdom 5:1).”

    (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:34ff; Revelation 3:2, 16:15)

    1 * “to persist,” see Psalm 1:5

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: That one ought to expect the Last Day at all times, and that we ought to guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance (or avarice) so that the Last Day may not overtake us while we are unprepared, for by these things the hearts of men are weighed down and many damnable sins are committed. (v. 34)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 13:11–14 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for the First Sunday of Advent (Ad Te Levavi), Romans 13:11–14, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. An admonition in general to holiness and innocence of life. (v. 11–14)

    Annotated Text

    11. And because we know such, namely, the time, that is now the our to stand up (to awake) from * sleep (the sleep of sin and fleshly security, as we ought to all the more be diligent in love toward the neighbor and other Christian virtues); since † our salvation is now nearer (after we have fully come to know Christ from His Gospel and are now rescued from the terrible darkness of ignorance and of an impious life) than when we believed1 (when we first began to grasp faith from the Gospel);

    * Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6–7

    † 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 6:9

    1 Greek: “And this (let us do all the more diligently), as those who know well the present time (namely) that it is the hour when we already ought to have risen from sleep, since salvation (the blessèd use of the divine means of grace) is now nearer to us than when we (first) believed.” (The light of the Gospel breaks through more and more.)

    12. The * night is (as of now) passed by (the time of ignorance, when you did not yet know Christ, the true light, but rather were stuck in the darkness of unbelief, idolatry, and other terrible sins, has gone away), but the day (of salvation, which is the bright revelation of the Gospel, and the light of the saving knowledge of Christ) has come;1 so  let us2 cast off the works of darkness (the gross sins in which to which those are inclined who still are stuck in the darkness of ignorance, error, and idolatry, to which also the prince who rules in the darkness of this world drives men, Ephesians 6:12, which sins are committed in darkness and finally plunge into eternal darkness), and put on the armor of light (the Christian virtues which are the beautiful garment of the day that adorns a converted man, with which one can also strive against the devil and the evil lusts of the flesh).

    * 1 John 2:8

    † Ephesians 5:11 (1 Thessalonians 5:5; Colossians 3:8; John 3:21; Romans 6:13)

    1 Greek: “The night (of the former corruption among Jews and Gentiles, etc.) is far spent (so that it will now soon come to its end), but that day (the public knowledge of God also among the Gentiles) has drawn near.”

    2 Greek: “now”[δὲ] (from this cause, see Romans 12:1)

    13. Let us walk honorably (in discipline and respectability, as is befitting) as in the day, * not in gluttony1 and drunkenness (for those who are drunk, are drunk at night,” 1 Thessalonians 5:7), not in bed chambers (lustfulness) and unchastity (bold, shameless living), not in † strife and envy;

    * Luke 21:34; Ephesians 5:18

    † James 3:14 (Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:11)

    1 † For what is contained under the Greek word κώμοις, see Galatians 5:21.

    14. But be adorned in the Lord Jesus Christ (not only through true faith, Galatians 3:27, but also through a pious walk, in which He has lit the way before you. “Let the Spirit of Christ, who dwells in you, rule and lead you, and put on the new man,” Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10), and watch after the body, yet in such a way that it not become wanton1 (Maintain in the watching of the body such measure with eating and drinking that you do not thereby indulge the evil lusts of the sinful flesh to fulfill them, Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:11. Luther: “Do not torture the body beyond its strength with unbearable holiness, watching, fasting, freezing as the hypocrites do”).

    (Colossians 2:23; 1 Corinthians 9:27)

    1 Greek: However, “the care (nurture) of the flesh (of the body)” is not directed toward the end that you promote its (wild) desires (arouse them or provide fodder or feed for them).

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: Concerning gluttony, drunkenness, unchastity, strife, envy, etc., which are works of darkness by which one plunges himself into the eternal darkness of hell (v. 12–13). DOCTRINE: Children of the light walk thus in the light the more it shines upon them; but whoever does not do so, makes it known that he still lives and lies in darkness (v. 12–14).