Mark 13:24–“But in those days, after that tribulation,
the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.”
I have been thinking a lot about how Advent is such a counter-cultural season. In the traditional church year, Advent always begins with a verse like Mark 13:24. The reason for that is justice is not a continuation of the world system that is now in control, but justice can only come in the administration of the rule of God. I have been shocked by some of the leaders in academia recently showing the lack of moral clarity over the question of genocide of an ethnic group.
In Advent we realize we are called to a higher morality and ethic than the moral equivalency that is the excuse of so many today. If our vision of the rule of God does not allow us to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, oppression or equality, then we flounder in our justice just as the academics on the issue of genocide.
Clarity or confusion is our choice when it all starts “turning south.” Often, we hear individual recount their experience in a natural cataclysm as, “I thought it was the end of the world.” Yes, there are terrible events like the ones we witness on the news, fires, tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes, that result in the tragic loss of life. But when every crisis is portrayed as the end of the world, we are taught to fear some existential threat, or held responsible for some long-term injustice, unless we are grounded in the rule of God, we will be caught up in the apocalyptic panic that rarely results in any justice for people, or aid to the needs of the individual.
Having the vision of the righteous rule of God, and the righteous judgment of God, is what we need to gain clarity in this confused time. This is how we realize the vision of “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to People.”
Pastor Greg
