[In the coming weeks, Slightly Obsessed will explore the Scriptures regarding end-time events and what Jesus meant when He said the coming of the Son of Man will be “just like the days of Noah.”]
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
– Matthew 24:42
A small walkie talkie sits at its charging station in our kitchen.
It’s always on because we are part of a volunteer fire department in our rural community. Our area is at high risk for wildfires during the summer and fall months, and we live miles away from the nearest fire stations. Because of the likelihood of fire, our community finally built its own fire house, purchased a fire truck, and trained volunteers to protect our property.
Our system is linked with the local county sheriff’s department, and we’re always on call, should the alarm come to assist a neighbor. We don’t know when the next fire is coming, or if we’ll even be needed. But we’re always on the alert.
Deep within the soul of each true believer in Christ is the knowledge we are made for more than the brief years we walk upon this earth. Our great hope as followers of the Lord Jesus is the promise of resurrection to live in eternity with God.
The New Testament Scriptures are permeated with a sense of urgency.
The early disciples clearly believed the return of Christ was imminent. Although God alone knows the timing of the course of His plan as it is played out on the world stage, He has commanded us, “Be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” (Matthew 24:44)
We live in an age of great uncertainty. Radical changes in the political environment of nations and a sense we are hurtling toward some catastrophic worldwide event has sparked new interest in end-time prophecy. Today online conspiracy theories abound, along with well-meaning but misguided predictions. When it comes to eschatology, the study of last or final events, are you pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, premillennial, postmillennial, amillennial, or just plain confused?
It’s tempting to relegate the debate over Jesus’ coming to the Bible scholars. It seems like pointless arguing when there are so many urgent things the Church could be doing.
But as we’ll see in the next weeks, what we believe about the last days and Christ’s soon return is crucial to how we live every day. Because we can’t know what day He’s coming, we are commanded to be always ready.
Together, let’s find out why.
Next Week: Like the Days of Noah, Part 2
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