Maybe Tomorrow. Maybe Today.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. (Second Peter 3:9-11)

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:42-44)

“We need to live in that mode of expectation all the time.” –Rev. Ronald Benjamin

As we consider the coming of Christ, we read in Scripture that the day of the Lord will arrive “like a thief.” In Sunday’s sermon Pastor Benjamin noted that thieves do not announce their arrival, because to announce arrival is to present to persons a ‘last chance’ to secure their homes or their valuables. Our guest pastor said, and I paraphrase here, A thief does not send you a notice saying ‘I’m coming between 2 and 3.’ In the same way, no person will receive an announcement of the exact time when our Lord will return. But, even though we do not have an exact date nor time, we do know that Jesus will return.

Concerning His return, Jesus used a particular analogy that Scripture records for us: lightning. “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27) His appearing will be swift, and it will be seen by all.

How are we to live in light of this truth? We are to live in a state of readiness. The apostle Peter wrote, “You ought to live holy and godly lives.” And, we do so: not merely because we don’t know when our Lord Jesus will return, but because we love Him deeply and want to walk in obedience to His word.

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.