It's the most wonderful time of the year, but when you show up to church this week you're going to hear this passage about imminent destruction and the impending end times. It's a common reaction to be frightened by this, but—as Lars Olson explains—Jesus said these things as a word of comfort. You WILL lose everything: house, job, spouse, family, your life. All of the coming wars, famines, and persecutions will end in death. The only thing that won't? Jesus' word. It's the only thing that goes through the end of the world into new life. To give you hope. We also dive into what Lutherans mean by heaven and how we assume it's a place in the sky without pain that you go to when you die. Lars explains how you are in heaven when you have God's Word in your ear—whenever His promise has you. Whenever you have faith. In the future you'll see heaven, but, for now, you only can hear heaven in this promise. 

CHALLENGE GRANT

A generous donor is sponsoring a challenge grant! If you sponsor an episode of Scripture First in the next few weeks, your donation will be matched (meaning you've doubled your financial impact on our organization!). You can find more information at lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate. Thank you ahead of time for your giving season consideration! 

SING TO THE LORD

Listen to Luther House of Study's newest podcast: Sing to the Lord! Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff each week to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

• 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IjGmMa
• 🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VHikh3
• 💻 Luther House of Study's website: http://bit.ly/SingtotheLord

GOSPEL

Mark 13:24-37

24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25  and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." (NRSV)

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