What a difference a day makes!
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What a difference a day makes!
What a difference a day makes!
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
“What a diff’rence a day makes!” Hearing those words, many of us can close our eyes and hear Dinah Washington singing her 1959 version of this song. The song was written first in Spanish in 1934 by Maria Grever, with the title, “Cuando Vuelvo a tu lado” - when I return to your side.
“The English lyrics were written by Stanley Adams, and was played by Harry Roy & his Orchestra. It was published in late 1934. The most successful early recording, in 1934, was by the Dorsey Brothers, although it was first recorded in English by Cleveland crooner Jimmie Ague.” - Wikipedia
Dinah Washington’s version earned her a 1959 Grammy as the Best Rhythm and Blues recording of the year. Her version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame is 1998.
For those of you who do not know, this was a love song.
Dinah Washington version
Dinah Washington version
“What a difference a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm a part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine
Lord, what a difference a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss
That thrilling kiss.”
Most if not all of us understand all too well what difference a day or a split second makes.
An oncoming vehicle on your side of the road
Police/law enforcement officers knock at your door in the middle of the night
ALS diagnosis
“We regret to inform you ...”
Canoeing far from shore when a nearby canoe capsizes even as we see neither of its occupants are wearing a flotation device.
There are no two ways about it, sometimes what life throws at us seems more than an avalanche or tsunami. Those events rumbling toward us threaten to engulf and crush. BUT sometimes the opposite is also true. In the midst of what seems hopeless, the tied suddenly turns - what a difference a day, an hour or a moment brings.
In the aftermath of the bus crash when so many of the members of the Humboldt Broncos lost their lives, one set of parents who had been told that their son had died, were later informed that one of the survivors had been incorrectly identified. ONE OF THE SURVIVORS IN THE HOSPITAL WAS THEIR SON!
in the aftermath of the bus crash when so many of the members of the Humboldt Broncos lost their live, one set of parents who had been told that their son had been, were later informed that one of the survivors had been incorrectly identified. ONE OF THE SURVIVORS IN THE HOSPITAL WAS THEIR SON!
BUT THAT MEANT THAT ANOTHER SET OF PARENTS WHO HAD BEE TOLD THAT THEIR SON HAD SURVIVED NOW HAD TO BE INFORMED THAT THEIR SON HAD NOT SURVIVED THE CRASH.
In the portion of the Word of God that we open today, the events that Jesus explained would happen seemed to be going from bad to worse. BUT jesus reminded them and encouraged them,
Jesus had explained to His disciples what would happen in the immediate future. He went on to explain that events in the not so immediate future would be CATASTROPHIC!
Jesus explained that this would a time of severe, great, unmatched tribulation.
BUT the future tribulation - distress will be cut short by the Lord -
Abomination of desolation - ; ; ; ;
Abomination that causes desolation - cryptic phrase that Jesus took from Daniel. Matthew noted that connection.
Word translated - abomination - refers to that which is detestable, foul, blasphemous and abhorrent to God. Often used re idolatry and pagan worship practices - Solomon - , Is 44:18-19
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Matt
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.
Dan 11:
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
The portion in Daniel deals with a vision given to Daniel. For an extended period he had been praying for his people.
While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
Dan 9:
This vision covered a figurative 70 weeks for the people of Israel and Jerusalem. Some suggest that this last week is 7 years. As is obvious to all concerned, if the last week is seen as 7 years, the 70 weeks cannot all be sequential, that is follow one after the other.
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
Dan 9:
The same phrase for abomination was used to describe a later event.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Tribulation (13:14–18)
The same phrase is used in 1 Macc 1:54 to describe Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the Syrian general who outraged the Jews in 168 B.C. by erecting an altar to Zeus on the altar of burnt offering in the temple and sacrificing a sow on it. The sacrilege of Antiochus in the Jerusalem temple became the dramatic provocation for the Maccabean Revolt, which against all odds earned Jews their only century of political self-rule between the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. and the formation of the State of Israel in 1948.
BUT Jesus referred this abomination as a future event that He explained was connected with traumatic universe events and the return of the Son of Man - those days - 13:24-26
Some suggest that for this to be fulfilled there would need to be a rebuilt temple and sacrificial system. On the other hand, there might be a violation that will desolate or ruin what the Jewish people regard as sacred with regard to the Temple and where God is present.
who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
Before we move on, we need to ask ourselves if there is another manifestation of God’s glory in these days.
Let the reader understand - 13:14
From the context there can be no question that the events referred would be at the end of the age - when all things would be accomplished - 13:4
Might have been an editorial comment referring to Mark’s future readers or Mark might have indirectly quoted what Gabriel explained to Daniel -
And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him.
Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
Pray that it will not happen in the winter - 13:18
The ensuing events will be so severe that the only option would be immediate full speed flight with no thought for valuables or extras that might be deemed part of survival
Compassion for those who are pregnant or caring for infants - fleeing more difficult.
Pray that not in winter - colder plus rainy making travel and crossing streams more difficult.
Severe events that will happen does not negate the need to pray.
While certain world events will happen God cares for those who pray
Greater tribulation than has or will occur - 13:19
Could not have applied to destruction of Jerusalem, any wars , the horrendous loss of life among non combatants, holocaust, genocides, plagues and natural disasters.
“Great” - Matt 24:21
Worst of all
Very similar to the events recorded in Revelations
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Rev 6:12-
During this time of extreme calamity for some who come to faith in Christ.
I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:
In those days there would also be planetary/stellar disruption and then the return of the Son of Man.
What Christ holds in place allowed to go astray
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
BUT for the elect sake shortened by the Lord - 13:20
Shortened - literally to dock, to cut off leaving a stump - something externally terminated that left unchecked would have continued
For the sake of the elect - whether Israel or believers - God the Lord intervened
Without that intervention all life would have been lost
Deception BUT be on guard - 13:21-23
False prophets, false prophets
In the midst of suffering and uncertainty people will long for deliverance and a deliverer
We cannot look into the hearts of other men and women.
If we are not believers - controlled by the Lord and His Spirit - we are controlled knowingly or unknowingly by Satan. Jesus explained that.
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
Jn 8:
Signs and wonders - pseudo miracles
2. BUT in those days, they will see the Son of Man coming -
After that tribulation - 13:24-25
Verses 6-13 generally - verses 14-23 specifically
They will see the Son of Man coming - 13:26-27
Jesus will return. Jesus kept His promise
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Jn 14:1-4
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:6-
Resurrection, Christ’s return and our hope are all tied inseparably together.
To gather His elect - not some but it would seem all believers
The early church and believers from most generation have looked for a better day and or the return of Christ.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The spiritual expresses it well.
“Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry he home x 2
I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Coming for to carry he home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I'm coming too
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home”
Source: Lyric Find
. Jesus repeated OT prophecies.
Behold, the day of the Lord comes,
cruel, with wrath and fierce anger,
to make the land a desolation
and to destroy its sinners from it.
For the stars of the heavens and their constellations
will not give their light;
the sun will be dark at its rising,
and the moon will not shed its light.
I will punish the world for its evil,
and the wicked for their iniquity;
I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant,
and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.
I will make people more rare than fine gold,
and mankind than the gold of Ophir.
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble,
and the earth will be shaken out of its place,
at the wrath of the Lord of hosts
in the day of his fierce anger.
Is 13:9-
About 100 years before Isaiah, Joel wrote.
The earth quakes before them;
the heavens tremble.
The sun and the moon are darkened,
and the stars withdraw their shining.
The Lord utters his voice
before his army,
for his camp is exceedingly great;
he who executes his word is powerful.
For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome;
who can endure it?
Joel 2:
The sun and the moon are darkened,
and the stars withdraw their shining.
Some might suggest that Jesus used OT terms to validate His ministry and provide hope. To those who suggest that, I would remind them of the countless OT prophecies fulfilled in Jesus first coming. Those dealing with His second coming as every bit as valid.
Learn the lesson of the fig tree - 13:28-31
Cursed by Christ & the next day leaves withered-
Lesson was explained by Jesus - have faith in God - what God says He will do, prayer and forgiveness.
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Mk 11:20-26
Whenever believers and others see events like these unfolding, our response should not be to get our charts out to determine when the next events, the wilting of the leaves on the fig tree. Instead, our faith should be affirmed. Our God is still in charge and will return for those who believe.
The generation that sees the coming of the Son of Man will see all these things - 13:24-27
Heaven and earth will pass away, BUT my words will not pass away - 13:31
The universe as we know it will pass away but not the Word of God.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
Lk 16:
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
3. BUT concerning that day, or that hour -
No one knows when, but only the Father - 13:32
Some authors and Christian broadcasters have devoted most of their lives and ministries to future events.
Be on guard, keep awake - 13:33, 35, 37
While I understand the interest and fascination with the future, I would suggest that even as Jesus has reminded us there might be greater priorities.
Russia - Gog and Magog - - how do I or the see future world events? versus what is the proclamation situation in that part of the world and Central Asia?
Be on guard, keep awake - 13:33, 35, 37
Man goes on a journey - servants/bondslaves - 10:44 - in charge, each with his own work
Doorkeeper commanded to stay awake - cares for and guards to sheep - recognizes the true shepherd and opens the gate only for him.
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
What I say to you, I say to all - stay awake.
DANGER OF MINISTRY FATIQUE
NEED TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
Jesus wants us to understand and remember:
A great tribulation and the end of the world as we know it is coming.
Be aware.
This world is temporal.
Set our affections on that which is eternal.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
We are pilgrims - just passing through - missionaries in a foreign land.
By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
2. Our Lord cares for His own and is in control.
Comforter
Word
Promises made and kept
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
3. Do not believe deceivers.
Time in the Word instructs and calibrates how we see and understand.
Faith matters.
4. The Son of Man/ Jesus Christ/the Messiah will return.
5. Be on guard! Stay awake!
Workers and watchmen needed
Work together - support and protect each other
Rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem
Neh 4:10-
In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.