Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door. Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
Matthew 24:32-35 The Message
As children, most of us have pretended to be kings or queens or princesses and princes. And if not that, then a Cinderella type who had hopes of becoming royalty or a vanquishing hero who would win and rule. In real life, how many of us ever think about an audience with royalty? I would venture to say the odds are astronomically small, mostly because Americans don't have royalty in office. Brits might think about it a little more, but what are the odds? And if you could get an audience with the queen, you would have to go through training on the proper protocol before you are granted the actual audience. Then, you are taken to the queen, she does not come find you.
Interesting. The God of the Universe, Creator of all, comes to us. More paradox. It started in the Garden of Eden. Every day, in the cool of the evening, God would come. In the evening of the day that Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, God still came. Have you ever thought about that? Did you think God didn't know that they had done that? Yet, He came.
And He came as a baby, born in a manger, and died among thieves...because He carried our sins on Him. Our thieving from God. He was still king...in Truth, the King of kings. Would you agree?
He's coming again. His arrival is imminent, but it won't be like the world will try to convince you. Scripture reads, "If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it. Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. But I've given you fair warning. "So if they say, 'Run to the country and see him arrive!' or, 'Quick, get downtown, see him come!' don't give them the time of day. The Arrival of the Son of Man isn't something you go to see. He comes like swift lightning to you! Whenever you see crowds gathering, think of carrion vultures circling, moving in, hovering over a rotting carcass. You can be quite sure that it's not the living Son of Man pulling in those crowds." Matthew 24:23-28 The Message
Keep in mind, The Arrival of the Son of Man isn't something you go to see.
Read on. "Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies—no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven. At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.
"Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door. Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out.
"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
"The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.
"The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that.
You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.
But He IS coming. He said so...and after all, He is King. Are you ready for His arrival?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for loving us enough to come for us. Keep us ever mindful of You, so that we are watching for Your return. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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