"For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places." - Matthew 24:5-7
Another Eclipse has come and gone. Millions of people stared into the sky with their special glasses to watch as the moon covered the sun for a moment. Darkness fell upon the earth in the same moment. Not like the evening that we are used to which is the sun gradually setting, but more like someone dimming the lights from bright to dark in a minute or two.
People marveled at the event. I think many if not most felt very small at that moment in time. They could not stop it from happening. It was way beyond their control. Some wondered if God was sending a message. Others were certain He was not, after all in their thinking, there is no God. But still, I think many or perhaps most realized how small each one of us are in this vast universe.
I know some Christians who are looking to the East expecting Jesus to come in the clouds any minute. There is a beating of the war drums in so many places, today - surely Jesus is on the way to bring an end to this madness, to the disasters, and the earthquakes. As much as we would like to know when that day will be, we won't until that day is upon us.
"As he [Jesus] sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.... “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:3-8, 36-40
I think the Word makes it pretty clear that - as in the days of Noah - people will not be ready or even believe it is going to happen. There will be no "Jesus Tracker" on television pointing to where and when the event will happen. Jesus said that not even He knows the time. So why do we think that we can figure it out on our own? Perhaps because we are not familiar with what the Word says about it. Maybe we "camp out" in the Book of Revelation - it is sensational, isn't it? And ignore the other Books. Peter wrote -
"They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:4-9
Can you imagine this with me. One day in heaven - 24 hours is equivalent to one thousand years = 8 million 760 thousand (8,760,000) hours - on earth. So Jesus was crucified (33 AD) which is 1991 years ago. That is just shy of 2 days in heaven-time. We have a natural perspective on time. It's all we know. If I got my math right, an 80-year life span in earth is equivalent to about 1.92 hours in heaven. Oh, I can hear the fingers typing on the calculators now! (Use Excel - it's easier)
I remember my mom asking me if I thought Don - her husband, my spiritual father and stepdad, who had passed away 8 years prior, remembered her. I did the calculation and said, "Mom he has only been in Heaven for 12 minutes - he is just figuring out where he is!" You probably noticed I did not answer her question. Frankly I am not sure about all of that. What is important is knowing that God is faithful and one day Jesus will return. Until that day, our place is to be faithful in how we live and love.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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