It is amazing to me how in our current time meteorologists can so accurately trace storm patterns to predict intensity and touchdown before they even happen. Thanks to modern technology, something as devastating as a category 5 hurricane doesn’t come as a complete surprise. The people in the path of the storm are given ample time to prepare, bunker down, and evacuate if necessary. I do realize that if an area gets the call to evacuate, not every person will make that choice and not every person is able to for a variety of reasons. But for those who choose to stay or are unable to leave, 24/7 modern media eliminates the element of surprise for the destruction heading their way.
The bible tells us that what will be a surprise is the moment Jesus returns to Earth. He is coming, though we don’t know when, to save all of those who believe in Him. Despite the impending surprise of timing, the Lord has already sounded the alarm and has given us over 2,000 years to prepare. The New Testament repeats the command, “Watch…” several times in reference to the second coming of Christ. We need to be ready at all times because we just don’t know when it will take place. I don’t pretend to be an expert on the bible or apocalyptic speculations, but I do think it is reasonable to assume that the time of Christ’s return is drawing near.
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
Mark 13:32-37
I once read in reference to why Christ first came onto the world stage at the time He did was because that was when His message could spread. If “all roads lead to Rome,” then it makes sense that the Son of God was born during the reign of the Roman Empire. God could have picked any time and any place He wanted to send his Son to atone for the sins of all mankind, but the Roman civilization during Jesus’s lifetime dominated world history, perhaps more than any other empire. While I also don’t pretend to be a historian, I think it’s important to remember when we study scripture to put the words into the context of when they were written. The importance of every single parable and divine verse is not lost when we understand the culture they were first spoken to. I think that God chose the time and place of Jesus’s birth to be during Roman Empire because He knew the world would still feel the influence of its existence today.
If Jesus first came at a time when all roads led to Rome, then I think it is safe to assume His second coming could be any day now as we live in a time when we are more connected than ever before. In the United States, even people who live in poverty have access to information from all over the world, often in the palm of their hand. We have cable news that inundates us constantly, all kinds of social media apps, and even this blog has the potential to reach anyone in the world with internet access. God’s call to receive Christ is able to spread quicker than it ever has before. We don’t know when he is coming back, but we do know we need to be ready and it is more important than ever to invite Christ into your heart.
Be alert! The warnings have been sounded. Willingly sticking around to ride out a hurricane and ignoring the warnings to evacuate is a lot like ignoring the warnings from God and sticking around for the tribulation. In the end, you are risking certain death. Again, while not everyone can evacuate for a hurricane, the bible tells us everyone will hear the gospel and then the end will come. Why should we think that time is far off when we are living in a time where it is possible for the gospel to reach every population on earth? For the Christian, this time is not a worry. If you have yet to accept Christ, do no be caught sleeping! The Lord already knows all about your life and personal storms. Receiving the gift of eternal life is as simple as declaring Christ as your Lord and Savior and inviting Him to weather your storms together.
Love, Molly
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Amen