He is Coming on the Clouds

Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time! At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Mark 13:21-27

Jesus was addressing His disciples after they asked Him about the end times (Mark 13:4). People have been obsessed—yes, obsessed with Jesus’ return. People have falsely predicted that Christ Jesus would return on a certain day…or at a particular time…but it hasn’t happened yet. Even Jesus said that only the Father knows…as recorded in Mark and Matthew.

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! Mark 13:32-33 (Also Matthew 23:9)

Once again Jesus is telling us to be on guard…be ready. Look for the signs. We cannot say we haven’t been warned. Are you bold enough to ask others a question to draw them into a conversation about God—one that builds a relationship with you...not one that challenges them to make a decision on the spot for salvation. The question could be one from Doug Pollock’s book God Space, or something similar like “I’m wondering if anyone has tried to talk to you about God…(and then)…What kinds of feelings did that leave you with?”  Listen to what they say. Listen intentionally.

Be ready…but don’t be complacent. We don’t know the hour or the day…whether it will be in our lifetime or not. Just be ready…share the Good News with others…and know that God loves you. That is above all the most important thing. God is Love…and He loves us. He loved us enough to allow His only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. That is love.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus—thank you for the reminder that we need to watch and be ready…but most of all thank you for Your love. We need to tell others the Good News about You. Give us wisdom in how to approach them. May Your love shine through us.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17-19

© 2018 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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