The
“Left Behind Series” created a renewed interest in the Lord’s second
coming. The events of 911 heightened the
interest and the current events in Jerusalem
In
May 1984, National Geographic Magazine
showed color photos and drawings of the swift and terrible destruction that
wiped out the Roman cities of Pompeii Herculaneum Mount Vesuvius was
so sudden that the people died in the middle of the routines of life. Common
people were in the market, wealthy were in their luxurious baths, and slaves
were at their backbreaking work. They died after breathing superheated gases
and then volcanic ash buried them. Life was going on as usual, but sudden
destruction overtook them on that terrible day. The tragic thing is that the
people did not have to die. The article stated that scientists have verified
what some of the ancient Roman records indicate: that there were weeks of
rumblings and tremors preceding the actual eruption. There were even ominous
plumes of smoke visible from the mountain several days before the volcano
erupted. If only they had responded to Vesuvius’ warning! God was warning them,
but they were not paying attention. They went about their lives as usual
instead of paying attention to the warning which God had provided.
Speaking
of the second coming of Christ, Paul wrote these words to the Thessalonians:
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you
know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them
suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1
Thessalonians 5:1-3).
God
has always warned His people long before judgment falls. Two days before the cross, the disciples
asked Jesus about the end. Jesus
discussed with His disciples the destruction of the temple. Jesus knew that in 70 AD that Titus would
march the Roman army into the city and over a million Jews would die. History records that there was plenty of
warning and that there were no Christians in the city then. They were out ministering. The disciples realized that Jesus was telling
them that people can come to the point of no return.
Are
we approaching that time? We know that
Jesus said no one knows the time. We
know that man will not be the one who destroys the world. We know that when we distort God’s plan we
reap the harvest of sin. The Bible
teaches us that judgment will fall when least expected. There are definite signs of Jesus’ return. If
there is no flood, there is no judgment nor Noah. If there is no Noah, there is no Jesus, no
cross, no resurrection, nor second coming.
If there is no second coming, there is no judgment, no heaven, nor
hell.
Jesus
gives an expose¢on the human heart and the
consequences of sin in Matthew 24:37-44. “Eating and drinking” is a New
Testament expression of the subjection to the World. Eating and drinking are vital functions of
life but as such they may be occasions of sin. “Marrying and giving in marriage” is an expression of
immorality. Without God people have
obsession with sin. Abortion becomes
choice, homosexuality becomes alternative lifestyle, spouse becomes significant
other, the church becomes a haven for incest, and tampering with Divine order
becomes genetic engineering. We are
pushing the limits in population, technology, and pride.
Our
hope is involvement by God who
always provides salvation. Jesus provides grace. Noah found the grace of God who saved the
world. It was not Noah. Human achievement without God becomes
overweening pride. The world needs a
Savior. We
must be ready to share Jesus. (v. 44)
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