June 16

Matthew 24:42 (NIV)
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

I have never much cared for the whole rapture – end of the world teaching or debating. It just hasn’t interested me nor have I thought (in the past) that it has been effective in bringing people to, or preparing people from meeting Christ. However, in light of recent events, I must admit that I have changed my tune a bit. I see the value in this message being preached more than ever. There have been times in history when it would seem like things were being “ramped up” for things to be brought to a final culmination, but now it does seem like it is very close to the end. Having said that it may be another 100 years before the end comes. The point, in my opinion, is the urgency in which we conduct our lives.

The verse above speaks directly to that and gives us a clue to why Jesus talked about indicators at all. Throughout history people have believed that the “signs” have indicated that Jesus return was close. Did you ever think that was on purpose? There is something about the Word of God that is urging us to stay urgent! It is our task to live as though Jesus would return tomorrow, or as the popular church campaign put it, live like you have “one month to live”. It is our task to remain watchful, alert, eyes wide open so we don’t get “hoodwinked” into thinking that it is o.k. to live life like the world – for ourselves. We constantly have to be on guard against the insidious and pervasive evil of this world working it’s way into our life. It happens so subtly at times that we don’t even realize it, and before we know it, we are a carnal as a person who doesn’t know Christ. May it never be! May our lives reflect the urgency in which Jesus himself dropped into our hearts. Live life like you will meet him later tonight – and take some people with you to the meeting!