The Sudden Return of Jesus

 June 3, 2024

Monday

I recently watched another Youtube video chronicling the sinking of the Titanic. There are a number of things that would kept that ship from either hitting the iceberg or, at least, not sinking. These mistakes could have been averted but the crew and captain of the ship would need to be prepared for what awaited them. After watching so many documentaries on the subject, I think there was one main flaw in their thinking. They thought that the ship was unsinkable. Why would precautions be needed if nothing could sink the ship anyway?

So they steamed through the night, without a care, without binoculars looking out for icebergs, without enough life boats to find that the unsinkable ship would sink on her maiden voyage. If they believed it could sink, they would have slowed their sailing, made sure that binoculars were used by the lookouts and had sufficient life boats for all onboard. The ship took four hours to sink. They had plenty of time to get people to the lifeboats.

But isn't that the case of the people today when they consider their own lives? They have no use for God when they don't believe they will need Him. He is like a useless life boat on an unsinkable ship. That will, one day, be the ruin of many people.

No one knows when Jesus is coming back. The words of Jesus indicate that it will be sudden without anyone being able to repent or even acknowledge the Lord before the believers are taken away. Yes, there will be a time they can repent but they will need to go through the tribulation. The Bible's description of that is so horrible that no one will want to endure it. I, personally, have never endured any real pain if there was an option to avoid it. This is a time I know I will avoid. I would like for others to avoid it too.

I know some people are to obstinate to go to God. They believe that being the master of their fate is better than complying with what the Lord wants for them. He wants them with Him in heaven. They will resist Him no matter what.

When Joan Crawford was near death and her nurses were constantly by her bed, they prayed for her. Her last words were, "Dammit, don't you dare ask God to help me!" So it is with many people. Maybe it is their pride. Maybe it is their need to be in control. But whatever it is, it keeps them from knowing the Lord. Their eternity is settled if they continue in this state. I don't want that for anyone.

Those who are alive when Jesus returns will either go through the tribulation or they will be snatched up in the twinkling of an eye. Those left behind will go through a tribulation so bad that people will want to die but they can't. Again, I don't want that for anyone.

Honestly, everyone has to make their own decision. I am afraid many of them are unaware. They think that they will have some time to make this decision. They think they will get a warning. Jesus' words indicate the won't have a warning. 

Of course, I don't know when Jesus is coming back. I only know it will be sudden. I believe that all of the people who predict the time of His coming will be wrong. I, also, believe He will come when no one expects it. Just like an iceberg in the middle of the night.

Matthew 24:36–42 (NASB 2020) ³⁶ “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. ³⁷ For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. ³⁸ For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. ⁴⁰ At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴² “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.