IS JESUS COMING BACK SOON?
“...As the days of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37).
Many years ago I came home and discovered that a thief had broken into my house and took some of our possessions. I had no idea this was going to happen. I had no warning. I was unprepared, and we did not have any insurance to pay for our losses...
“But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:43,44).
THE WICKEDNESS
In the days of Noah, “GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth...” (Genesis 6:5). The Bible says that people’s hearts were full of evil thoughts continuously, and describes a world of ungodly people, living wild and selfish life-styles... “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (vs.11).
This sounds like our world today! People plan time for entertainment, recreation, sports, movies, sexual relationships and anything else for personal pleasure, but no time for God! Anything and everything, but God... Our society has redefined the moral code of ethics for this generation. We have justified abortion as “women’s rights”. We have called homosexuality an “alternative life-style”. The increase in drug addiction and violent deaths are growing at alarming rates. Although the immorality problem is ignored by most people, the Lord Jesus Christ still says it is evil!
Now, with modern technology people spend time at cinemas and watching TV, where you can view pornography and criminal violence presented as if it is acceptable behavior. Unfortunately, people today plan their time for financial success so they can fulfill their dreams..., buy new cars, new homes, “new toys”, etc. This is understandable to a point, we all need money to live, but we shouldn’t live just for money!
What about God? Who has time for God? Are you influenced by the Holy Spirit or are you guided by the ways of the world from those around you? “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).
THE WARNING
“So shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37). Jesus is warning you and I that the social atmosphere of His 2nd coming will be as it was in Noah’s day. Naturally, Satan continues to deceive mankind with the lie that, “... life will go on and on this way forever ...” But remember, just as God warned the people in Noah’s day before He sent the great judgment of flood, He is warning us! They were living in sin, ignoring the preaching of Noah right up until the rains came and the floods descended! But then it was too late...
You see, no man knows exactly when Jesus is coming, but we know by the signs of the times that we are living in the last days. Christ is coming and then the 7 years of Great Tribulation will begin on earth! This means death and destruction for many. All but Noah and his family were destroyed when God judged the earth by a flood. God’s wrath is going to be poured out on earth because of man’s wickedness!
THE WITHDRAWAL
Noah was taken out before the destruction and put in the safety of the Ark. Jesus warns us, “...so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (vs40-42). Jesus may come back today! Don’t wait, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:16).
I cannot save your soul; no other person can, nor any priest, nor any church; “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Salvation is only through your personal belief in the living Christ. I beg you to receive Christ into your heart!
TJM