The Day

If the Lord came today there are many people who would be surprised. Christians would be just as  surprised as unbelievers in this matter.

"Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh."  (Matthew 24:42-44 ASV)

A speaker related the account of how not long ago he had been forced into a doctor's visit. The doctor after the check up, informed the man that he was going to have an operation on the morrow. The speaker reacted with, "Oh, no, I've got things to do..." 

The audience laughed. We've most all had the same response for something unplanned we had to do. No matter what we think we have to do, there are some things that trump our plans. 

"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands: They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail." (Hebrews 1:10-12 ASV)

Our life here is brief. Even if we live a hundred years, in the expanse of eternity that is brief. 

Two things we need to keep in mind are the brevity of life; and the surety of eternity... 

No matter what (most) believers confess with their lips, like the speaker in the third paragraph most of us don't believe we will ever die. Not yet at least. Normal quasi healthy people believe they will arise tomorrow to live another day. We have just one more thing, one more project, one more--well, some things we've got to do. 

I heard the story of a wealthy prominent man who had some health issues. His friend, a doctor by profession, tried to get him to slow down and take it a bit easier. The wealthy man told him, "I've got too much to do. When I get my work all done, I'll slow down." At last the doctor said to him,"Bill, come with me. I have something I want to show you." They got in the doctor's car and took a drive through town. The doctor pulled up and parked at the entrance to the local cemetery. "Bill," he said to his friend, "look here. How many of these folks in here do you think ever got all their work done?"

I would like to leave you with these thoughts: 

• As sure as there was a beginning of the world, there will be an end. The Lord will come, and it will be unexpected. All will see him, and all will receive judgement.

"And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;"(Hebrews 9:27 ASV)

• It is important to be prepared and/or remain faithful.God is a loving God, and a loving God must be just. 

 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31 ASV)

• To come into judgement unprepared would be reprehensible. In this life it is our only duty to love and obey our God. If we fail this, we've failed everything. 

"Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise."(Hebrews 10:35-36 ASV)

• Be patient in the Lord, and you will receive the recompense of your reward. 

Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7 ASV)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!