(Dn.2:31-45; Dn.3:57-61; Lk.21:5-11) "The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace." So shall the kingdom of this world be destroyed by "a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it"; so shall Jesus come – the Son of God, the King of kings – and make all things subject to Himself. And when shall this be? It has happened, and is happening, and will happen soon: fear not in your hearts. Simply praise the Lord of the universe. There will be no trace of this world remaining when the Lord does come. He shall be the stone that "became a great mountain and filled the whole earth," which "shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them." And by whose hand shall this be done? "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people." And so, if accomplished by the hand of God and not by man, why do we look upon the "wars and insurrections," "plagues and famines," and become fearful, as if these shall bring the end? No, "the end does not follow immediately." We cannot state the time any more than could Daniel, the greatest of all interpreters of dreams and visions. So why are we misled when many come in the Lord's name saying, "I am He" or "The time is at hand," as if these could force the hand of God? Let not the "fearful omens" and "great signs" perturb you, brothers and sisters. These are for those without faith as a warning to turn to God, but for those with faith they should prove no disturbance. Our souls should be set on Jesus, who surpasses all these things – even the temple "adorned with precious stones" – and whose coming we should see clearly in our hearts. Is He not at work in you? Are you not His children? Then why fear these things which are "bound to happen" to the earth? You should "praise and exalt" Him who is "above all" with the "angels of the Lord" and the "heavens." Let your hearts rise up to Him. Yes, "the day will come when not one stone will be left upon another, but it will all be torn down." And in that day the Lord will reign supreme. Set your sights upon His majesty. ******* O LORD, not one stone will be left upon another; all will become as dust – then shall come the eternal reign of your Son. YHWH, your hand shall crush all things of this world; your right arm shall see to it that the gold and silver, the riches of the earth, all pass away. When your Son returns, all this shall be accomplished. Let us stand ready and waiting for that day. Why should we fear, O LORD, the destruction of kingdoms? Why should we lament even the temple's fall? For what is anything of this world in comparison to your glory? Your glory is indeed above earth and heaven and shall never pass away. With the angels let us praise you, LORD. With all your disciples let us glorify your NAME. You alone are holy, you alone are worthy of praise, and this lesson we must learn if we are to be saved. And so, on the day when there is not one stone left on another, let us not be anxious or afraid. Though wars and earthquakes come, let our hearts be set upon you, LORD, and exalt your kingdom as it draws nigh.