Mark 15:33-34
“According to the Lord’s own Word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
We have experienced tremendous major catastrophic events in recent years and it causes even the most cynical doubters to wonder what is happening. Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, tidal waves, terrorist attacks—you name it.
Whenever we experience a tragic occurrence the natural response is; denial, depression or some other type of negative reaction. But in today’s Scripture, Paul is telling us that in these times of trial, we are to encourage one another with these words. What words? The assurance that we will rise to meet the Lord in the air, and be with Him forever! Praise the Lord!
In Matthew 24:6-8, Jesus told of many things that were signs which would be indicators of the end of the age. Here are just a few He mentions: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom will rise against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of these things are the beginning of birth pains.”
Jesus says that not only nation rising against nation, but also kingdom against kingdom. That indicates the upheaval within the borders of nations. Just think of the many conflicts as ethnic groups revolt within a nation.
Killer earthquakes have increased so dramatically in the past twenty-five years that it is hard to deny that a significant sign is revealed. Grant Jeffrey, in his book, Armageddon, lists the frequency of killer earthquakes by decade, since 1890, that register more than 6.5 on the Richter scale: 1890-1899 (1); 1900-1909 (1); 1910-1919 (3);1920-1929 (2); 1930-1939 (5); 1940-1949 (4); 1950-1959 (9); 1960-1969 (13); 1970-1979 (56); 1980-1989 (74); 1990-1995 (125); (Notice this is only half a decade). An update will show a continued increase.
As we observe the calamities (natural or manmade) which are occurring with alarming regularity, it should awaken us to the need for action. Jesus speaks of birth pains. I am sure these pains will increase more and more until the time of the end. We need to work as we have never worked before to share the message of salvation. We never have to work to attain our salvation or to maintain our salvation, but we do need to work to share the wonderful message of salvation.
As we anticipate the trumpet call of God, it is time for us to examine our lives. Do we still have a fervent love of God, or have we lost our first love? I think it is a time for us to make a new dedication to the Lord. May our prayer be, In light of what is happening around us, we need to remember a vital truth. We will give an account for every action (or our failure to act) when we stand before the Lord. We should live as if we will be with Him the next minute. We very well might be!!!!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil