Here in Thailand we know only too well what it is like to be in a foreign city where English is not the official language. All the street signs, menus, billboards, bus schedules, everything needed to navigate the streets are in a different language. You stop people on the street for assistance, but it seems no one speaks English.

Sometimes Christians may feel as if their spiritual journeys have taken them to an unknown place, where all the signs are in a strange language, and they just can’t seem to figure out where they are or where they are supposed to go. As much as they attempt to discern the signs in their lives, they find themselves feeling more and more confused, while trying to navigate in a strange land.

Making things even more troublesome are the modern-day, self-proclaimed prophets, who incessantly talk about the End Times. They use scripture to weave fanciful tales of horrific proportions, which, if accepted as truth, without a discerning heart, can derail people in their journeys.

To a similar degree, Jesus’ disciples were confused by the signs of their times. Israel was under Roman rule, contemporary prophets were routinely spouting apocalyptic predictions, and the Jews were desperate for a Messiah, who would reinstate the Davidic line, and establish Israel to its former glory, as an independent kingdom. In the midst of all the confusing signs and false prophets, Jesus warned his disciples – and his believers today – to stay awake!

This implies being alert, and cognisant of what is happening in our surroundings, living in a constant state of readiness and anticipation. As the church enters anew into this Advent season, the world is in a race to read the signs of the time, in an attempt to make sense of all that is going on. The news media is rife with reports of increased terrorism, nations rising against nations, and rising religious extremism and intolerance. Political and religious leaders are under continual scrutiny as reports of indiscretion and wrongdoing surface, and crime seems to be taking over the streets. Diseases such as the Corona virus indiscriminately kill, and people are being pitted against each other, in a continual competition for limited resources, while those who are vulnerable in society, suffer the most.

In the midst of suffering and despair, the world longs for some cosmic event that will wipe away all that is wrong in a single stroke. At the forefront of doomsday predictions, are those who warn that Christ’s return is just around the corner. Despite the confidence of some, who say Christ’s Second Coming is imminent, Jesus clearly states that no one knows the time of his appearance, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Apocalyptic predictions in social media, and from pulpits, are indicative of the fear and anxiety filling people’s hearts, in light of life’s uncertainties; however, the church’s emphasis on scripture, tradition and reason is the lens through which these signs can be put into focus and better understood. Part of remaining alert in these times is a commitment to continual study of scripture in the light of the historic teachings of the church, developing critical-thinking skills, and seeking a discerning spirit.

The church is firm in her belief in the return of Christ Jesus, but exactly how and when this culminating cosmic event will take place, remains a mystery. Scripture doesn’t give a clear explanation; however, it does provide signs to help navigate life’s journey, with the help of the Holy Spirit, until the Lord’s Second Advent. Until Christ’s return, the church is reminded to remain awake as she diligently carries on the ministry of her Lord. She learns from the past, while maintaining a confident faith in the future, all the time tending to the work of the Kingdom of God today. Now is not the time to be caught sleeping while the master is away, but to be busy about managing his affairs. The people of this world may be driven by fear and anxiety, but believers can be confident, that God will strengthen them to the end, so that they may be blameless on the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the light of all that troubles the world today, this Advent presents a unique opportunity for the church to stand in the gap, and proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus. Now is the time to be diligent in proclaiming the Kingdom of God in word and deed. If believers are to interpret any message from the signs of the time, it is that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain his people, even in the worst of circumstances.

History teaches us that the Church Militant is victorious, even under the most extreme conditions. The early church faced systematic persecution under Roman domination, but their hope in Christ’s Second Coming gave them the courage boldly to proclaim their faith in Christ. Eventually, the church settled into the knowledge, that the Second Coming was an event that would take place sometime in the distant future, and they began systematically spread the Good News that is found in Jesus Christ.

With every generation that passes since Christ’s ascension, the danger of complacency threatens the church’s overall mission, to proclaim the Good News. Some in the church are happy living with the status quo, while others adopt a “religious country club” mentality. Even worse, and more detrimental to the mission of the church, is when believers become embroiled in debates that result in division. Self-proclaimed prophets have misread the so-called signs, and made false predictions of apocalyptic proportions regarding death, judgement, heaven and hell, only to push people away from the church, rather than draw them into the Kingdom. They fail to listen to Christ’s words, spoken to his disciples in our gospel reading today. The church proclaims that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again in the Eucharist.

In the meantime, the church has a job to do until the master returns.

Whether Christ returns today, tomorrow or in a hundred years, today is the day of salvation. If one looks closely at the signs of the times, they point to the One who holds all the answers, to all that ails the world. Christ’s mission to the church remains as clear today as it was when he first sent his disciples into the world.

May she be faithful to proclaiming God’s love for all creation, and labour tirelessly in proclaiming God’s justice and righteousness, until the master returns. 

Amen