Look up!

I am a movie fan.  I enjoy going to see good movies..suspense...drama...romantic comedies...action movies.  If they are well-made I enjoy them.  They always show "trailers" or previews of upcoming, or soon-to-be-released, films before the feature presentation begins.  The first impression I get from these often influences my decision about coming back to see a show.  The Disciples were eager to have a "preview" of the end times.  They wanted to know what the highlights would be and they wanted to know how to recognize the beginning of the end.  Jesus gave them a number of signs.  There would be wars earthquakes, and persecution of believers.  There will come a time when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies and attacked.  But you must keep on eye on the sky because Jesus said that there will be "signs in the sun, the moon, and in the stars" (Luke 21:25).   The normal routines of high and low tide may change....perhaps as the moon is affected and people will be distressed and perplexed as they are unable to understand or explain these great natural changes.  Imagine a world where the reliable activity and motion of sun and moon are altered.  This would collect the attention of the entire globe.  Inside the heart of every man there is a knowledge that there must be an account for our lives before God.  As these amazing events play out people will be afraid, not only because of the natural changes...but because they will have a growing sense that they will have to give account for their lives.  They will see that there is a greater force than nature and this will confirm their fears of judgment.  But for the Believer it will be the greatest of times: (Luke 21:27-28 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  How will it be if these times happen in our times?   When you look up will it be with judgment's fear or redemption's excitement?  Now is the time to make the most important "look up" of all.  We need to look up, look in and repent of our sin so that we'll be among those who find joyful excitement as He appears in the clouds.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith