The Cosmic Constant: Finding Unshakeable Hope in a Shaking World

A Sermon Blog Post Based on Matthew 24

Introduction: When You Can’t Hear, But You Know You’re Safe

I suffer from deafness in my left ear. You’ve probably heard me mention it before. It means that when I sleep at night, I sleep on my right side. So when my wife talks to me at night, all I hear is “wow, wow, wow.” And then in the morning, she can legitimately say, “But I told you!” And I can legitimately say, “But I didn’t hear you!” And we’re both right—which, as any married person knows, is a rarity.

That little domestic moment illustrates something important about how we approach the future. We’re often trying to hear what’s coming, straining to make out the details, and sometimes we miss the most important thing because we’re focused on the noise.

I experienced something similar just this morning. I was up at 3:00 AM (that’s midnight your time), ready to pick up my colleague Dr. Sergio for our flight here. I got in the car, pressed the garage door button, and the steel cables that hold the door—under tremendous tension—snapped across my car. I was trapped inside my garage. When we finally got out, we discovered thick snow falling all around us.

I thought, “Lord, maybe Satan doesn’t want us to come to Sandpoint tonight.” But by the grace of God, we’re here. We’re in one piece. And we’re looking forward to sharing these Sabbath blessings together.

The Prepper Phenomenon

Let me ask you something: Is prepping big business in Idaho?

Yes. Yes, it is. When you drive from Spokane airport up here, you see outfitters on the side of the road, stores selling all manner of things. But prepping is more than having your basement filled with beans, bullets, and band-aids.

Have you noticed that the super-wealthy in our world today are busy building bunkers in remote parts of the world? The south island of New Zealand—they call them the Southern Alps—is becoming a bunker destination for industrial giants. They’re building underground mansions with water, food, and filtration systems for years. There are people in West Texas building huge bunkers in the mountains and deserts.

And if you look on social media these days, there are constant adverts for prepping items. Military MREs, 30-day food kits, one-year food kits (basically a pallet of tin vegetables—I’m not sure you’d survive a year on tin vegetables, but it’s a year supply!). Trauma kits, water filtration systems, bug-in bags, bug-out bags, get-home bags, walkie-talkies, bulletproof vests, guns, and ammo. All marketed as necessary for what’s coming upon the world.

Are you seeing this on your social media feeds?

The disciples were preppers in their own way. They wanted to know what was coming. And Jesus gave them an answer—but not the one they expected.

The Question That Haunts Us

In Matthew 24, Jesus gives a prophecy that takes the disciples’ breath away. They’re admiring the temple—massive stones, some the size of semi-trucks, meticulously laid over 40 years. And Jesus drops a bombshell:

“Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)

For the disciples, this was unthinkable. The temple was where God met with humanity on planet earth. It was the meeting space between God and man. If the temple falls, everything falls.

So they come to Him privately on the Mount of Olives and ask:

“Tell us, when will this be? and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

They conflate three things: the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, and the second coming of Christ. They assume if the temple’s destroyed, that must be the end.

But here’s the beautiful thing: Jesus’ last words to them before ascending to heaven answer their anxiety:

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

They’re worried about wars, destruction, chaos, pestilences. And Jesus says, “No matter what else happens in this world, I’m going to be with you to the end of the age. As long as you keep your eye focused on that, you’re going to get through.”

The Baby on the Plane

Years ago, I used to fly on Azal Airlines. The theme tune was “Nearer My God to Thee”—which was appropriate, because you were guaranteed to come down one way or another; you just weren’t sure how. No other aid agency allowed their staff to fly on Azal. But I was with ADRA, and we had many faith-building exercises on those flights.

We’d fly into hostile airspace, doing tight spiraling descents from 30,000 feet. Once, the landing gear wouldn’t come down. Another time, we depressurized and everyone fainted, coming to at 5,000 feet. Once, the pilot got locked out of the cockpit and had to batter the door down with a fire axe while we were on descent.

But here’s what I noticed: I would carry my newborn son on those flights, and he would always be in a peaceful sleep. Why? Because he was with his dad. He instinctively knew that if he was with his father, he was going to get through. Things were going to be okay.

That’s what Jesus offers us. The disciples want to know every detail of what’s coming. Jesus says, “I’m going to be with you. If your eyes are focused on me, you don’t need to worry about much else. You can have peace in the storm when you keep your eyes fixed on me.”

Birth Pains and Division

Jesus then describes what will happen—both outside the church and inside it.

Outside: Wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, earthquakes. The Jewish rabbis called this period “the birth pains of the Messiah.” They were right—these things are labor pains heralding new birth. They just got the timing wrong.

Inside: “Then many will fall away” (apostasia—apostasy). They will betray one another and hate one another. False prophets will arise. And because of the increase of lawlessness (anomia—without the law), the love of many will grow cold.

This is sobering. In a world divided along every imaginable line—political, economic, racial, educational—the one thing that will unite the nations is their hatred of those who bear the name of Christ.

And inside the church? We’re not going to be united when the mark of the beast comes. We saw a foretaste during COVID—the church fragmented along so many dimensions. When the real crisis hits, we’re going to scatter every which way. Be ready to stand on your own, and be finding people now who you can stand with.

But here’s the good news: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” It doesn’t say the one who glides to the end. Nobody gets it easy. But those who endure, who keep their eyes on Jesus, who in the hardest moments focus on winning souls rather than complaining—they will be saved.

Like Desmond Doss on that mountain, with Japanese firing at him continually: “Lord, just help me get one more. Help me save one more.”

The Wisdom to Flee

Jesus then gives specific instructions about the destruction of Jerusalem—instructions that would save lives.

“So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place… then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15-16)

In AD 66, the Roman general Cestius Gallus marched on Jerusalem, surrounded the city, and planted his standards near the temple. Then, for reasons historians still can’t explain, he withdrew. The Christians remembered Jesus’ words and fled across the Jordan to Pella.

In AD 70, the Romans returned. Jerusalem fell. Over a million Jews perished. Slaves sold for 30 a batch in the markets of Alexandria.

But not one single Christian is believed to have died. They knew Jesus’ teaching. They recognized the sign. And they got out.

God gives practical guidance. He cares about escape routes and timing. He cares about the details of our survival.

When the Universe Unravels

Then Jesus describes the signs preceding His return:

“Immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.” (Matthew 24:29)

The sun was darkened on May 19, 1780—the Dark Day, which astronomers still can’t explain. The stars fell on November 13, 1833—the greatest meteor storm in recorded history. Frederick Douglass, then a slave, wrote: “I witnessed this gorgeous spectacle… the air seemed filled with bright descending messages from the sky. I was not without the suggestion that it might be the harbinger of the coming of the Son of Man.”

But one sign remains future: “the powers of heaven will be shaken.”

What does this mean?

The Cosmic Constants

The universe is a mathematical machine. Dozens of formulas are so finely tuned that if any changed, life couldn’t exist:

Gravitational force constant – holds planets, stars, and galaxies together
Electromagnetic force constant – holds atoms together; enables chemistry
Strong nuclear force constant – holds atomic nuclei together
Weak nuclear force constant – governs radioactive decay
Cosmological constant – controls universe expansion speed
Speed of light – determines stellar luminosity
Ratio of proton/electron masses – enables DNA formation

Physicists have calculated that the chances of our universe existing by chance are about 1 in 10 to the 10 to the 123rd power—a number beyond comprehension. The universe exists for one reason: to support life.

But Jesus says that before He returns, these powers will be shaken. The sky will vanish “like a scroll rolling itself up” (Revelation 6:14). The heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10).

Imagine looking up and seeing the fabric of reality torn apart before your eyes. Gravity failing. Light bending. The atmosphere stripped away. The earth melting beneath your feet. Global tsunamis. Every island and mountain moved out of place.

This is not global warming. This is global meltdown.

Two Responses to the Same Event

When these things begin to take place, Jesus says:

“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

Two groups witness the same events. One group has hearts failing them for fear. The other stands tall, heads raised, saying, “This is our God whom we have waited for.”

The difference? One group has built their lives on things that can be shaken—bunkers, investments, political systems, even the cosmic constants themselves. The other has built their lives on the one thing that cannot be shaken.

The One Constant That Endures

Psalm 136 lists God’s creative works—the heavens, the earth spread on the waters, the great lights, the sun to rule the day, the moon and stars to rule the night. And after each line, the psalmist repeats: “for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Notice: everything mentioned in that psalm—the heavens, the earth, the sun, moon, and stars—is exactly what Jesus said would be destroyed at His coming. They are temporary.

But the refrain—”His steadfast love endures forever”—that is eternal.

The Hebrew word is hesed. It defies single translation. It means merciful, compassionate, kind, gracious, long-suffering, steadfast, covenantally faithful. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God proclaimed: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful (hesed) and gracious” (Exodus 34:6).

This is the cosmic constant that matters. Gravity may fail. Electromagnetism may dissolve. The strong nuclear force may weaken. But God’s hesed? It endures forever.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

There’s nothing we can do to make Him love us more. There’s nothing we can do to stop Him from loving us.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child? … Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

The New Creation

After the old universe passes away, John sees:

“A new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.'” (Revelation 21:1-4)

The God who spoke galaxies into existence will personally wipe tears from your cheeks. He is almighty, and He is personal.

Conclusion: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

We live in an era of deception. AI videos make us question what’s real. Social media feeds are filled with lies. Satan seeks to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

The antidote? Know the truth. Love the truth. Turn your eyes upon Jesus in the Gospels. Learn to recognize His voice.

Jesus has sheep in many flocks. Our job as pastors and elders is to train the ears of the flock so they recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd—not follow the pastor or the elders, but follow Him.

When Jesus comes again, you’ll not be found among those calling on the rocks to hide them. No, you’ll be standing tall, saying, “This is our God whom we’ve waited for, and He’s come back to save us.”

The universe will shake. Kingdoms will crumble. Churches may fracture. Friends may betray.

But one thing remains: the steadfast love of God.

That is the cosmic constant.

That is what we can build our lives upon.

That is what will carry us through.

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.

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