December 2, 2007
 
Isaiah 2:1-5 The Lord’s Future Reign
 1 This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

 2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
      will be the highest of all—the most important place on earth.
   It will be raised above the other hills,
      and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
 3 People from many nations will come and say,
   “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,  to the house of Jacob’s God.
   There he will teach us his ways,  and we will walk in his paths.”
   For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.
 4 The Lord will mediate between nations  and will settle international disputes.
   They will hammer their swords into plowshares  and their spears into pruning hooks.
   Nation will no longer fight against nation,  nor train for war anymore

Psalm 122 - A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

 1 I was glad when they said to me,   “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
 2 And now here we are,   standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
 3 Jerusalem is a well-built city;  its seamless walls cannot be breached.
 4 All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people— make their pilgrimage here.
   They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord, as the law requires of Israel.
 5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David.

 6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.
 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.
 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,  “May you have peace.”
 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,  I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

Romans 13:11-14 - Because our Salvation is near

 11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires

Matthew 24:36-44

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.  Only the Father knows.

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.