My alarm rang at about 5:30 this morning and I got up to get ready for work. While I was putting my socks on a loud clap of thunder suddenly shook the bedroom. It caught me off guard, causing me to look around the room as if it were being torn apart. I went back to putting my clothes on and these two passages from the Holy Bible came to my thoughts:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
I thought about that passage and another one came to me:
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Revelation 3:11
Saints and sinners alike. Just as I was going about my day, getting ready for work and thinking about what was ahead of me in today, a loud clap of thunder came suddenly. The sound startled me but it also caused me to think and now I am writing this post.
The day is coming when Jesus will return. When He comes there won’t be a warning! We won’t have time to repent, profess our love for God, express our love for our neighbor, or anything else. Take the time for a moment and think about if someone suddenly shouted one word and didn’t say anything else. That’s just how fast Jesus will come.
We have early warning systems to let us know when a severe storm is coming. We have alert systems in place in case our nation is being invaded or bombed. But there is no early warning system to let us know when Jesus is coming. I’m thinking; “Who needs to be warned if we’re already prepared?
Jesus said these words in Matthew 24:38-42:
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming! My brothers and sisters, please do not harden your heart. Pay attention. If you’re not saved, if you’re living a life of intentional sin, please take the time time to confess your sins, repent from those sins, and asked the Lord to save you – RIGHT NOW! When Jesus comes, it’s going to happen as fast as a sudden clap of thunder!
Prayer
My Father in heaven. Please forgive us for our recent sins. Please forgive us for omitting to love our neighbor as ourselves, no matter what their race is, their political affiliation, their economical status, or their immigration status. Forgive us for anything that offends you and your Holy Character. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.
