TIME OUT

“The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass.” —Luke 21:33

Imagine you thought today was Thanksgiving Day and you wondered where the turkey was. Then you found out you were the “turkey.” Did anyone ever call you at 3AM and ask if they woke you? These are situations where people have no sense of time.

This time warp is even worse in spiritual reality. Some people think they have years to live but really they have only minutes. Others expect our civilization and lifestyle to last forever, although history indicates just the opposite. Some think the “thousand year” millennium mentioned in Revelation hasn’t started; others think it’s about to end (Rv 20:3, 6). Some believe there’s no chance of Jesus’ final coming today; others say “soon and very soon.” Jesus says: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. You observe them when they are budding, and know for yourselves that summer is near. Likewise when you see all the things happening of which I speak, know that the reign of God is near” (Lk 21:29-31).

What time is it? “Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor 6:2) “It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near” (Rm 13:11-12; cf Eph 5:14). “You are not in the dark, brothers, that the day should catch you off guard, like a thief” (1 Thes 5:4).

“Therefore let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!” (1 Thes 5:6) God is signaling for a time-out. Time will be out and eternity will be in.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be ready.

Promise: “Then I saw new heavens and a new earth. The former heavens and the former earth had passed away.” —Rv 21:1

Praise: After his nearly fatal car accident, Matthew thanks God for each new day.