The Great Tribulation
The power of wisdom is that it sets you free to see trouble coming a mile away, especially if you are humble and wise enough to listen to Christ!
In 1972, Elton John released the song Tiny Dancer, and it was a huge hit. But it’s the lyrics that I want to look at today because there is a verse of the song that captures the spirit of that time. You see, in 1972, the Jesus Movement was in full swing in the US. And I was captivated by this moment.
Along with this explosion of kids searching for spiritual truth was the rapid spread of really bad “Christian” movies like 666 and A Thief in the Night. All of this was a warning that the Great Tribulation was just around the corner, the AntiChrist was getting ready to show up, and all of my friends were desperate to be ready for The Rapture! Now, don’t worry if you don’t know about any of this stuff. Just hang on for the wisdom of Jesus in the passage today.
Anyway, back to Elton John. The verse in the song still hits me right in the heart. The scene is 1970’s Los Angeles. The “Jesus Freaks” are doing street witnessing, warning people about the Rapture, and John writes and sings this:
“Jesus freaks out in the street, Handin’ tickets out for Gone
She just laughs, turning back
The boulevard is not that bad.”
Jesus warns of the days of tribulation, but it ain’t like Elton John thought, and it ain’t like I thought as one of the “Jesus Freaks” of the 1970s!
Look at our lesson today in Mark 13:14-23:
The Lord said to his disciples, "When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by Daniel the prophet, set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything away; and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any one says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand."
St. Mark’s Gospel is one of the earliest Gospels written. The second “Synoptic Gospel,” Mark, is probably the first Gospel written by a believer. St. Mark used the testimony of St. Peter as his primary source of information, and he probably wrote this Gospel before the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD. Mark’s main purpose for his Gospel (which means “Good News”) is to help suffering and persecuted Christians know the Life of Jesus and His suffering and Resurrection to help them endure as faithful followers of Christ.
St. Mark included Jesus’ teachings during a “great tribulation” because the believers suffered serious persecution. The Lord’s wisdom about suffering and troubles reveals His strong direction in facing hard times. It is important to know that the preceding verses in this chapter see Jesus warning about the destruction of Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem with “not one stone shall be left upon another” (Mark 13:2)
Jesus begins by referencing the prophecies of St. Danial in the First Testament (see Daniel 12:11). This prophecy from St. Daniel warns of times when the evil in the world will try to take over the “holy places” so that we worship false gods instead of the Uncreated God. That’s why Jesus says the prophecy mentions idols set up as the object of worship instead of the real focus of worship. But that’s what Satan tries to do to us all the time. He temps us to substitute something too small as our highest Good rather than the True God that will reorient our lives towards spiritual wisdom and maturity.
Then the Lord gives some strange instructions about not going back in your house and not going back to get your mantle if you’re in the fields working, and even saying it will be a difficult time for nursing mothers and praying this tribulation doesn’t happen during the winter! Strange. What is the Lord talking about?
He’s talking about telling these believers when they see all this happening with the destruction of the Temple and the persecution getting bad to be ready for it! Don’t let these troubles catch you unprepared! And don’t fall for the easy answers of false teachers telling you you will be “raptured” out of the world before it gets bad. And don’t fall for the smooth words of imitation teachers who tell you there’s no need to struggle and there’s no need to fight for Truth. They will fill your ears with all kinds of excuses why we can get along with the pagans if only we’ll compromise a “little” on our Orthodox Faith.
The Lord finishes by telling His precious followers, forewarned is forearmed! No need to be surprised when tribulation comes and it always does in one form or another. Be ready by being attentive!
St. Raphael of Brooklyn was a model of this attentive living and ready for anything to remain faithful. He was born in Syria in 1860 AD. He was a diligent student, studying at the Great Halki Theological School and then at the Kyiv Theological School in Russia. Finally, St. Raphael immigrated to the United States to serve the growing population of immigrants here. in 1908, St. Raphael was consecrated as a bishop by Bishops Tikhon and Innocent of the Moscow Patriarchate. He was the first Orthodox bishop consecrated in the “New World.” His faithful stewardship of the Orthodox Church here in America saw him plant dozens of churches and draw many people to the Faith. Despite difficulties and downright persecution from other elements of religious life here in America, St. Raphael stays as a powerful reminder to us of God’s enduring faithfulness despite hardships.
Today, do you know how to be ready for tribulation? It isn’t in the distracting false teachings only meant to act as spiritual “cotton candy” for your soul. Being able to face hard times comes from a willingness to hear the Lord’s wisdom telling you times like this are coming and then embracing the disciplines of the faith that prepare you to stand no matter what comes! That’s what living a Normal Orthodox Life means!
P.S. Rejoice, O Father Raphael, Adornment of the holy Church! You are Champion of the True Faith, Seeker of the lost, Consolation of the oppressed, Father to orphans, and Friend of the poor, Peacemaker and Good Shepherd, Joy of all the Orthodox, Son of Antioch, Boast of America; Intercede with Christ God for us and for all who honor you.
