Mark predicts a coming fearful...
Illustration
Mark predicts a coming fearful and distressing time for the church. Even today, the gospel experiences rejection when it is faithfully witnessed to. Inevitably, God's reign poses a serious threat to established power structures. Jesus was crucified when people perceived that he threatened the existing authority. The same kind of penalty is in the offering for us if we dare to threaten the status quo. However, as long as we don't make waves, and don't impact our society, the church will be left alone.
We do not know when the end of the world will be. When the institution of the Temple was destroyed by Romans in 70 A.D., folks were sure the end was imminent. But people adapted their religious faith to the changing face of reality. For many, faith in the eternal resurrected Jesus replaced faith in the fallen stone and mortar of the Temple institution. The Third Millennium will likewise almost surely see less institutional loyalty. But perhaps, as we help create the future, it will see more faith in Jesus: the One who died so that we might live.
-- Van Der Wall
We do not know when the end of the world will be. When the institution of the Temple was destroyed by Romans in 70 A.D., folks were sure the end was imminent. But people adapted their religious faith to the changing face of reality. For many, faith in the eternal resurrected Jesus replaced faith in the fallen stone and mortar of the Temple institution. The Third Millennium will likewise almost surely see less institutional loyalty. But perhaps, as we help create the future, it will see more faith in Jesus: the One who died so that we might live.
-- Van Der Wall
