It's Coming

They say it’s coming. The fierce winds, the crashing waves, the floods of water, the calm terrors of the eye. Hurricane Irene. I believe them. But do I act? No one told me to evacuate, so I sit here in my dining room and write. No one told me it would affect me. But those who live on islands and on the coast north of me—they must flee. To stay would be foolish. But suppose the dads, the moms, the schoolchildren, the grandparents do not know or do not care? It’s still coming.

He said it was coming. The winds, the rain, the floods. Noah. God warned him; he built a boat. And then he warned the others. But did they believe him? Did they act? They laughed. They watched him build for a hundred years and they kept on with life. There were no meteorologists; just God’s word. But He told them. And even though the people did not believe Him, the floods still came.

He said He's coming. On the clouds of heaven, at the blast of the trumpet. Jesus. He promised; He's waiting; He's preparing the earth for His coming. And I believe Him. But do I act? He told us to be ready. He told us to tell others. Some don’t know. Others don’t care. But He is still coming, and I want to be ready.

"For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." -Matthew 24:27

So how do we be ready for His coming?

-Know Jesus. Nothing can eternally touch those who are in Him. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Just believe Him, both about judgment and salvation.  We believe meteorologists even when the skies are sunny; why don't we believe God?

-Abide in Him. "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." -1 John 2:28

-Walk in the light. Sin is not worth it; it's just pleasure for a moment. He knows it all. "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known" (Luke 12:2) He's willing to forgive. He promised if we confess our sins, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 

-Lay up treasures in heaven. Thousands of buildings will be demolished by Irene, but the whole world will pass away when Jesus comes. Invest in people; invest in eternity. 

-Redeem the time. Time is short. Love God, love people, work hard, and enjoy His blessings.

-Warn others. Bring them into the kingdom. He doesn't want any to perish (that's why Jesus came and why He warned us), but evil and the prince of this world must be judged. 

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" --Revelation 22:20