LIFELINK DEVOTIONAL

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

In my 67+ years I have lived through several uprisings of interest in Bible prophecy. When natural catastrophes like earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, tornadoes, and fires seem to increase in frequency, people take notice and begin to ask, “Could this be the time of Christ’s return?” When territorial tension increases around the world, especially in the Middle East, people take notice and begin to ask, “Could this be the time of Christ’s return?” When political leaders rise to positions of power and international influence, people take notice and begin to ask, “Could this be the time of Christ’s return?” When people with spiritual influence claim to have discovered a new understanding of the Bible and predict the dates and times when prophecy will be fulfilled, people take notice and begin to ask, “Could this be the time of Christ’s return?”

I have experienced numerous such times of people taking an increased interest in Bible prophecy. But here we are, still waiting and wondering, “Could this be the time of Christ’s return?”

As we discussed yesterday, we are living in the Last Days as described in the Bible.  The Last Days officially began when Jesus came to earth some 2,000 years ago (See Hebrew 1:1-3). That’s a long time for the Last Days to last. There is a natural curiosity that comes with long waits. We want to know when it will happen.  We look for evidence and seek understanding.  Somewhere in the Bible there must be a clue that has been missed. Somewhere in the world something is happening that is a sign. We have a need to know.

But therein lies the problem. We have the need to know what Jesus has declared can’t be known. We desire evidence when Jesus requires faith. Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Then a few verses later He said, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:36, 44)

I remember when a few of my childhood friends and I heard the pastor teach on those verses, and in a selfish way we twisted the words to fit our own desires.  We were preparing for an important Little League baseball game, and we were worried that Jesus would come back before we could play. I remember saying to my friends, “So if I expect Jesus to return before the game He won’t.” Obviously that was not the application Jesus hoped I would make.

We are to constantly look for His return, but we are not to be overly invested in seeking to pinpoint the time. Instead, we are to focus on being ready. We will discuss the details o being ready in the next few days. But for today, let me tell you simply how to be ready: BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE SAVED. You cannot be ready for the return of a Christ if you have not been saved by Christ. Repent of your sin. Turn to Jesus by faith and receive His forgiveness for sin. He will cleanse you and make you His child forever so you are ready to meet Him when He returns.

Pastor John