Preface: The following was first posted in May of last year. How long can we go....by 'we' I mean those of us who are Christians.....but particularly those in the pulpits.....how much violence can we read about on a daily basis....how much horror.....and how much pure delusion.....before the reality of this world begins to show in our outward appearance? Will this be the Lord's Day where pastors refuse to put on their masks? (I'm not referring to Covid masks folks) What will it take to sober us? When will we once again....as at the beginning of our faith....look in the mirror and see someone that is not very lovable....and then open God's Word....and 'marvel' once again....how God had mercy upon us? I've given this thought a number of times....and I'll give it here again.....we like to boast of how we have to trust in God....that seems to be our standard comment on many issues of the day....so why do we not trust in His warnings....to be vigilant....and to examine ourselves....to make sure that we are in the faith?
I have to attempt a post like this again. I've attempted it in the past and was never satisfied.....and I probably won't be satisfied today. It was a sad day....as it began I put my nose right up to the lilac blossoms in our yard....to enjoy the fragrance to the fullest....this before going to a funeral for a loved one....and at times during the day I just contemplated the comfortable weather....and the busy small town we were in....and its people. Setting aside the sadness of the day....and just looking around....and observing the people gathering for the town's market days.....and taking in the occasional springtime floral scents....and feeling the refreshing breeze that mitigates the hot sun....I can almost be tempted to join the world again.....as if nothing is wrong....and look forward to the summer as if the Lord's protection is upon it....but I know something as sure as I know my own name....and that is this....
Please consider this....for the sake of argument.....argument in the best sense of the word....this scene that I described....has absolutely no bearing at all....on the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ....in power....and in glory....and in judgment....and for His people. Whether His holy angels are already mounted....their swords unsheathed or not....this much must be realized at all times....when that time comes.....whenever it is....now....right now....or later....that same scene.....those same soothing breezes.....that same perfect setting....all of it....will be there....just as it was today. People will be...."marrying and giving in marriage." This sublime setting is no indicator whatsoever. We must not let it sway us. We cannot let it blind us to an entire world in utter rebellion to God.....where violence is the norm....and children are essentially sacrificed to some horrid pagan god that fooled so many of us....a world with tears and crying and pain and fear in more quantity then ever before in the history of the world.
It appears that Jesus was telling us just this in His Olivet Discourse.....warning us....letting us know in advance....so that we do not fall asleep....either in the lap of Delilah....or the lap of luxury and idleness. Those who had showed no interest in the God of this creation....will be in for a very great and terrible disappointment....just as were the people of Noah's day.....when the floods came.
So the issue in this post is not the nearness of the Lord's return.....not even the glory and majesty of the coming of the Son of Man who will appear as "lightning flashing from east to west"....but rather that the beauty of the Lord's creation.....manifested in settings like the above....will be present....even as that terrible sword of judgment raises....whenever that is....to break the serenity.
Olivet Discourse....Mathew 24 & 25....Mark 13....Luke 21
