I Wish I Had Been There!

TEXT:

‘”Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Take heed that no one deceives you.”’ – Matthew 24:3-4

THOUGHT:

Both Daniel and John heard and saw things about the end of this world as we know it, but they did not fully understand, nor were allowed to reveal a clearer picture of what will happen at that time. When Jesus taught His disciples about His second coming, they too tried to find out when it would take place, but Jesus was unable to reveal the date. ¹ The Jehovah Witnesses and other cults have foolishly claimed to know that date of Christ’s literal return, but when that date came and went with no return, they had to hold their hands up and admit their error.

Just as the birth of Jesus, although prophesied in the Old Testament, caught most people out as to where and when it would take place, so too it will be with His second coming.

What can we learn from the prophecies of Daniel, John and others that will help us to be ready?

• If the fact that Jesus will return does not affect our life, then knowing about the detail will not affect it either.

We can speculate endlessly about what was not revealed in those prophecies, but that in itself will not change our lives and prepare us for such a dramatic event. What is the point of knowing more if one does nothing with that knowledge? It is not the facts alone, but faith in those facts that will do any good. I believe, therefore I will act! As James puts it, ‘Faith without works is dead, useless.’ ²

• Jesus Himself revealed what the world would be like at the time of His return
• Normal life would continue

People were eating and drinking, getting engaged and married and such like. ³ Although there may be “signs” taking place, many people have eyes for this life only and thus see life continuing as it has done for thousands of years. No alarm bells are going off in their heart warning of the imminent return of Christ.

• The world would be filled with wars and violence ⁴

Jesus revealed that what had happened prior to the flood would again plague this world. Back then, ‘the earth was corrupt and filled with violence.’ ⁵ Who can doubt that such things are not widespread today? Although the rainbow reminds us of God’s promise never to flood the world again, God is not idly standing by. Everything is on schedule for the day when Christ shall return to rule and reign on the earth.

• Natural disasters would be on the increase – ‘earthquakes, famines, pestilences’ ⁶

Scientific records show killer earthquakes have increased tremendously in the last half of the Twentieth Century after remaining fairly constant during the first half. Some blame global warming and certainly the actions of mankind living for today without a thought for how it will affect tomorrow must take some of the blame. But what Jesus accurately prophesied 2000 years ago is coming true in our generation. That alone should be sufficient warning.

• The gospel about Jesus Christ would continue to be preached around the world ⁷

The religious authorities threatened violence against the Early Church as they preached about a resurrected Jesus who alone is the saviour of all men. They were somewhat restrained by the wise counsel of Gamaliel, ‘If it’s of men it will come to nothing, if it’s of God no one can stop it.’ ⁸ Thousands have tried to blot out Christianity over the years but none have succeeded. Voltaire boldly claimed in the 17^th Century that the Bible would be a forgotten book by the time his books had gone once around the world, yet ironically the house he made that prophecy in would one day become the distribution centre for the British and Foreign Bible Society! The Western world may appear to be in spiritual decline, but Africa, Asia and South America are more than making up for it with an “evangelism explosion!”

It’s not what I know but what I do with that knowledge that is important. I can wish that I had been with Daniel or Christ’s disciples, but at least the Bible lets me read about what they saw and heard. Now, do I mix that with faith by believing and calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to be my saviour, or do I simply let it pass me by as irrelevant?

Only you can make yourself ready for the return of Christ. For, ‘Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ⁹

 

1 – Matthew 24:36      2 – James 2:26             3- Matthew 24:37-39  4 – Matthew 24:6-7

5 – Genesis 6:11          6 – Luke 21:11            7 – Matthew 24:14      8 – Acts 5:34-39

9 – Romans 10:13