“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 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 24:35-39
Devotional Thought For The Day
There is concern about “the end of the world” whenever there is great tumult and uncertainty, when evil forces seem to be getting their way and prevailing. If we think our own times are threatening we might want to put ourselves back into the time of the great World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl years. At the time of World War Two, two nations had amassed great military strength and power and were using it to conquer and take over many nations and territories. There seemed to be no way to stop them. American involvement came about in response to attack from our west [Pearl Harbor] and in response to the desperation of our friends and allies to the east. The world back then was threatened with drastic change. Perhaps these powers would have left America somewhat the same; perhaps Japanese would have been the language west of the Mississippi and German to the east. These were real possibilities and America dug deep to put up a fight, with the blood of our soldiers, great sacrifice and deprivation at home, and immense prayers to God to save us.
We think at times like these that Christ’s return must be imminent. This is not the case, according to Jesus’ Word and other statements in Holy Scripture. Rather, people will be carrying on with their normal affairs and will be unaware of what is coming for them, having no suspicion of the danger they are in. The apostle Paul put it this way: “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” [1 Thess. 5:3] So we are to be alert at all times, living our lives as faithful servants of God, putting full faith and trust and confidence in Him, dealing with the things in our personal lives in a Christian manner, and leaving the big picture up to God. It is all in His hands, within His full authority anyway! For the unbelieving this may be dismaying or terrifying; for Christians, this reality is our constant confidence and security.
In our present time, the evil are so secure and bold that they not only approve of the “right” to slaughter millions of small human beings, they have also set about to remake marriage according to their own perverse desires. And it appears that the majority of Americans approve of these “freedoms” and “rights.” Forgotten are the lessons of Sodom and Gomorrah. [Gen. 18:20-19:28] Other evil scourges on the planet think it their duty to impose horrific laws on others, and to kill whoever stands in their way or refuses to join them, especially Jews and Christians. Others consider it a good thing to take away the profits of the ambitious and productive people and redistribute it to slackers and deadbeats, even though this socioeconomic philosophy has destroyed the wealth and prosperity of every nation which has adopted and implemented it. Perhaps this is a time when people think that there is “peace and security” but it will be up to God to determine the time and to bring the sudden destruction. In the meantime, for Christians, we will continue walking in Christ, following Him, and looking eagerly for His return, being as productive as we can, and as kind and good as we can be, and suffering whatever tribulation God allows to befall us as we move toward His heavenly kingdom.
We still have much enjoyment in life, and much to look forward to. We know God’s gracious forgiveness, mercy, and salvation in Christ Jesus. We know His promises for the future. We recognize all created things as belonging to Him, His gifts to us to use wisely and properly. We know that He wills for us to enjoy all good things, but to not get wrapped up in them, nor to make them our highest good. Rather, we continue to humbly enjoy the good things God has given us but never forgetting that He will indeed come again in great glory. So our earthly ambitions are kept in proper check and perspective, and we are ready at all times for Christ’s return, so that we will not be surprised, fearful, or taken unawares by His coming. And we eagerly and joyfully look forward to every opportunity we have to receive His gracious gifts in His presence and to worship Him in praise and thanksgiving with His dear people of faith. Thus we are prepared for His return and safe from the destruction that will come, for His Word will never pass away!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to fully embrace Your almighty and eternal Word, that we may be prepared always for Your glorious return, without fear or trepidation but full of confidence, courage, and joy. Keep us from despair at the state of affairs of the world, and keep us from getting disoriented and inattentive by the pleasures of this world. Thank You for Your gracious rule over all things; give us faith and trust so that our anxieties and fears be held in check. Amen.