“And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” - 1 John 2:17 NLT
After King Charles III was coronated, commentators and certain newspapers carried the news that the grim reaper was sited passing by the door at Westminster Abbey. Now, the news outlets later said that it was a worker who was dressed that way but whether it was a worker or not, one thing’s for sure:
THE GRIM REAPER EXISTS AND THE END IS NEAR.
7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth - Revelation 6:7-8
Now this is not to scare you but to help you put things into perspective. Imagine if that was really the grim reaper at the coronation. How would you act knowing that the end of the world is imminent?
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed - Romans 13:11
Indeed, as the days go by, the end draws nearer. I laugh at this moment remembering what stoic melachonlists say whenever it’s their birthday:
I AM ONE STEP CLOSER TO MY GRAVE.
I ask again, how will you act knowing that the end of the world is imminent?
Jesus was speaking to His disciples and He said:
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect - Matthew 24:36-44
Thank God that we have the signs at least. Thank God we were told that we won’t know when the time will come so that we can be prepared at all times.
WILL YOU BE READY WHEN THE LORD SHALL COME?
In the next devotional, I will be talking a little bit about the signs of the end time but in the meantime, I would leave you with thoughts of getting ready for the coming of the Master.
Hint: Check opening scripture.
See you then.