Daniel 12:1-4a(5-13)
Hebrews 10 31-39
Mark 13:14-23
Psalm 16 or 16:5-11
If we run out in front of a speeding car, there's a strong possibility we will not get a second chance to improve on our sense of 'cause and effect'. But, if we reach out and touch a hot stove, chances are better that we will live long enough to choose not to do it again.
Although today's lessons don't mention it in so many words, they do say a lot about the Law of Cause and Effect. In Paul's Letter to the Hebrews we are reminded to be always conscious of sin, because, in his words, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Throughout the ages, our ancestors recorded the "wrath of God" as a consequence of sin and disobedience. We seldom hear the word "wrath" used today except in a sermon, but there are plenty other words that caution us to mind our "P's and Q's or else"!
And, if these words are not enough to keep us on the "straight and narrow", we always have the Book of Revelation that spells it out with vivid images of the last days to come.
The word "apocalypse", which means revealing or unveiling, is also another name for the Book of Revelation, and it is no big leap to understand why ten little verses in Mark's gospel are sometimes referred to as "The Little Apocalypse".
Mark tells us that Jesus said, "But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be …" and then adds the words, ("let the reader understand"), It sounds like a secret code is being used to express something that all of us should already know.
It is strange to have these words, "Let the reader understand" included inside a verbal quotation of Jesus. But the words are there and I'm not going to ignore them; neither am I going to try to explain them because I don't know enough about the inner workings of Mark, the man who wrote them.
Scholars are not totally agreed on what "the desolating sacrilege" refers to, but some think it refers to a threat of return to the days of blood sacrifices and burnt offerings - a way of living by the Law instead of by faith.
Whatever it's original meaning, it seems to say something about back-sliding to a time that is past, to a time when priestly leaders offered, over and over, blood not of their own, as atonement for sins and a way to salvation.
In a way, it was like writing out a will, bequeathing salvation to ourselves in the afterlife. But, because a will is in force only when somebody has died, it can never take effect while the one who made it is living. That is why even the first covenant could not be put into effect without blood.
But in the New covenant, God gave his Son, Jesus to die once for all, and Christ said to God, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am - it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, Oh God."
Just when we think we've suffered more than our share, we read yet another verse that tells us to be prepared for worse! Throughout the Bible sin and punishment and the wrath of God have kept humans fearful about the way we live our lives.
We've heard it often enough that we may be left feeling a little numb when we hear, again, the written warnings in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 13, a shorter, although refreshing, approach to the revelation of dramatic events to come at the end of the world.
Perhaps we can find in Mark's "Little Apocalypse" a microcosm of every human soul on its way to salvation.
Again, let's look at the harsh words, "wrath of God". Now, for a moment, let's consider the word "wrath" all by itself. I think if we look at ourselves as microcosms of the greater creation, we could say that "wrath" is merely the law of "cause and effect".
Now, let's go back to Mark's words where Jesus said, "But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat."
Could that be another way of saying "trust your gut?" 'If it feels wrong, it probably is," or "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't." But just what does that mean? Is our gut always right? Maybe not always - but when it comes to matters of right and wrong, or staying out of harm's way, it is worth heeding our gut's cry until proven otherwise.
We humans have always learned by trial and error, but we have also been blessed by the enlightenment that follows so that when one path ends, another clearer one appears and the old one passes away. Then when desolation threatens again, we are aware and, if we are wise, we will not repeat our mistakes.
Like the folks in Judea we must flee to the mountains, to our refuge; we must not stop and go back into the house for things that have no lasting value.
We must not go back for our coats or possessions, but instead we are instructed to flee for our lives, to run in faith to the hands of God.
"Woe to those who are pregnant," Jesus said, "and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter."
Could "winter" be another word to describe a time when we are most vulnerable? Not only pregnant women and nursing mothers, but also those who are frail with age or illness; those who are sick with despair.
In our winter of vulnerability we are weakened by the grudges we hold, the greed we cherish, the lies we tell, the addictions that control us and diminish our options.
Woe, " in those days there will be great suffering, but, for the sake of His "elect" the Lord will cut those days short as He has done before, that they may survive.
Today is a "second chance", a chance to leave our masquerading cloaks, our worthless possessions and our pains behind and flee to the mountains, sure of God's promise of Salvation.
The Law of cause and effect has an opposing side, and there "good things" come of good things.
Be always conscious of your vulnerabilities; leave those behind which can be left behind, and accept those which may be the gifts of Heaven. Flee to the hands of your living God.
Amen.