I was a little shocked when I got the news. At first, I thought my teenage daughter was trying to pull a fast one on me. It wouldn’t be uncommon if she was. Our family is known for our love for practical jokes on one another. My six year old daughter told me the other day that she was working on a list of “approved” names and of “unapproved” names for me because she never knows what I’m going to call her.
But back to my story, my teen daughter asked me if I felt the earthquake last night. Earthquake? What earthquake? I am a very light sleeper and I didn’t have the greatest sleep last night to begin with. If there was an earthquake, surely I would have known.
I have to admit, I didn’t really believe her, that was until I was driving the girls to school and heard the radio DJ talking about running through her house at 4 a.m. this morning to check on her children while her house was shaking! “Oh my! It must be true! How did I miss it?” Like most of you, I was asleep.
Did you know that the Bible says that when the Lord Jesus comes to call His Church to be with Him in Heaven, that it will happen like a thief in the night? Read how Paul describes that approaching day –
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-3, NKJV
I have heard people doubt the coming of the Lord. They usually state that they have heard about His coming their entire lives and because it hadn’t happened yet, they presume God has changed His mind. Well, He hasn’t changed His mind. Jesus is coming. The Bible announces in Mark 13:32 that no one knows the day or hour, not even the angels. But one day God will say, “Jesus, call up your bride – the Church!”
There are a couple of truths we can be assured of:
1) It is coming!
2) It will come when most people aren’t expecting!
Perhaps because of this second truth, the Holy Spirit led Paul to write verses 6-8, “ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
Let us not be found spiritually like many of us were last night when the earthquake came without warning – sleeping! Paul urges us to be sober – spiritually alert, vibrant, be dressed with faith and love, and having our mind settled and secure in our Salvation through faith, by grace in Jesus Christ.
You know, even after I found that the earthquake did happen, I was at total peace. No fear, no intimidation, no worries. I can’t really explain why? Our house is definitely not “earthquake proof,” but I was at peace. God wants us to be that way when we think of the day Christ will call us up to Glory to be with Him. No fear, nor intimidation, no worries. Look at Paul’s comforting words… “ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (vs 9).
Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If you have, you can rest in peace. God has not appointed you to experience the wrath of God, but His grace. When Jesus calls, you will be going up! If you have not, dear friend, would you trust Christ today? The wrath of Christ has been reserved for the devil and all those who reject Him. Heed my friend to the final invitation found at the end of the Bible, “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” – Revelation 22: 17, NKJV
