Pastor Kory's Page - November 2025

We are nearing the end of the Church Year. The Scripture readings on the last Sundays of the Church Year come from some of Jesus’ final teachings in the days before He suffered and died on the cross.

This Sunday we’ll hear from Luke’s Gospel in which Jesus prophesied of both the destruction of Jerusalem and Herod’s magnificent temple and the destruction of this entire present creation on the Last Day. 

Passages about the end of the world may seem like a “downer” to us as we read the Bible. However, there’s much for us to learn and apply to our life in Christ from these end times messages in Scripture. St. Peter addresses the coming Day of the Lord in 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Earlier in that chapter, Peter describes the end of the world, saying, 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 (2 Peter 3:10).

As we look at the material world around us, we need to remember that nothing here lasts forever. Our possessions, our property, and even the church buildings in which God’s people gather will all perish on the Last Day. Peter calls us to live now with the end in view. He goes on to say, 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 (2 Peter 3:11-12a).

This present world isn’t our forever home. We are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). We are looking for the life of the world to come, God’s new creation in which He’ll make all things new! 

But as we live in the present day, and to recall Peter’s question, what sort of people ought we to be? The Lord calls us to live faithful, God-pleasing lives, and to look forward eagerly to the final coming of our Savior Jesus. We are to live out our mission as His people, to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). 

Scripture encourages us as we await the end. Jesus says in Luke 21:28, Now when these things [signs of the end] begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. In other words, don’t spend these latter days living in fear and dread. Trust the Lord and look forward to His appearing!

St. Paul also encourages us, both as we remember Jesus’ resurrection and look forward to ourresurrection on the Last Day. He says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. In other words, it’s because of our hope of the resurrection – both Christ’s and ours – that we dedicate ourselves to faithful and fruitful living here and now.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, raise your heads and be encouraged in Christ! Keep abounding in the Lord’s work. Your labors for Christ’s kingdom are making a difference and do not go unnoticed. Keep living for eternity today as you await your Savior’s return on the Last Day!

In Christ,

     Pastor Kory Janneke