Don't Say You Weren't Warned

   "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.
Matt 24:30-36 The Message

I remember several years ago, they started forecasting a winter storm to hit Texas and issued dire warnings - Wrap your pipes. Cover your plants. Make provision for your livestock!

We found it hard to believe with temperatures in the low to mid-60s for a week leading up to the forecast; sun shining, clear skies, no precipitation... almost balmy. However, all weather station indications were that there would be an arctic blast, possibly mixed with freezing rain and snow showers. People weren't buying it. The odds were against it. It had already snowed twice in the previous two years...for a total of three times in the last 5, when it normally only snows once every 15-20 years in our part of the country. When I got up that particular morning, it was 52 degrees. There was a beautiful sunrise. Definitely no indication or sign of any winter storm... but I hate cold, so I wanted to be prepared. After all, they warned us it was coming.

And right before I left for work, it started to rain. By the time I pulled into the office parking lot, only 15 minutes later, the temperature had already dropped 13 degrees. The wind whipped in from the north with gusts up to 20mph. By lunchtime, it was miserably cold. Thank God, it did not snow... I was surprised by the number of people who weren't prepared - they didn't wear or even bring a coat - because they did not believe the warning, although it was quite clear and had also been reinforced by our company's chief operations officer.

Sad to say, it's going to be like that when Jesus returns to take us home... only with eternally, damning ramifications. Scripture warns us what it will be like prior to His return. Are you ready for it? Have you prepared? What will you wear? Will you be wearing indifference to the warnings given in Scripture or be ready, wrapped in His robe of righteousness? Because He IS coming... Don't say I didn't warn you.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for giving us everything we need in order to survive the climate changes, both physically and spiritually. Cause Your Word to be alive in us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.