July 22 When?

Luke 21:7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
 
THE disciples have just heard Jesus unexpected prophecy of the temple’s destruction. Now they ask two very appropriate questions – “When?” and “What will be the sign?” Before we look at Jesus’ answer in the next verses, let’s consider the disciples questions for our own lives.
    We want to know the “When?” and “the signs” don’t we? When will a prayer be answered? When will a lost child come home? What are the signs a broken friendship will be restored? We look for signs of change, hoping to see people truly live into the gospel. We faithfully hope the Lord’s will is the same as our petitions to him.
    Jesus’ disciples are to act into the “When?” and “the signs” of the gospel. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, intentional and urgent to warn, encourage and prepare lost souls for the “When?” of our Lord’s judgment. One day his coming will be “Now.”  People who love Jesus are eager to see the signs of his reign in the new heaven and earth.
    Eagerly, hopefully and with some fear we await Scripture’s grand prophecy: Revelation 3:11-13 “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
     Also be mindful, amid the promise, of Jesus’ urgent parable about the bridegroom and ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. There he describes “ten virgins” awaiting the bridegroom of the wedding. But five were unprepared for his coming and were shut out from the wedding. Jesus urgently teaches, Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
    The disciples were not told the date of Jerusalem’s destruction. Yet, it did happen. Likewise, we do not know the hour of Jesus’ coming. We know it will happen. Have ears, hearts and minds to be prepared for his kingdom come, his will to be done on earth. Otherwise, we will be shut out to hear those awful words, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” (Matthew 25:12)
 
Prayer: Lord, make me urgent to be prepared and to prepare my neighbors for your coming again. In the Spirit’s power I seek you, amen.