Tomorrow

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” - Matthew 24:36

I received an interesting letter in the mail last week.  It was from a retired pastor (I discerned after a little internet snooping) from the middle of the state. It was a bit long and convoluted, but seems that this fellow has determined without a shadow of the doubt that Jesus is coming back in 2025.

It was imperative, according to the letter, that I get my congregation ready for this event which of course, would herald in the end times.  Guess I’m grateful to have 11 years notice. 

Matthew 24 is freighting if you really look at it. Admittedly, I don’t understand all Jesus is saying; perhaps it is that I don’t want to understand.  The things about “they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death,” and “when you see the abomination of desolation…let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” and “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another” tend to go against my personal theology, which probably means I need to sharpen my theology according to the Word of God.

Here is what I know.  I doubt Jesus is coming back in 2025, and Scripture certainly backs me up when I say no-one knows.  I am praying he comes back sooner.  So should any believer.  Our goal on earth is to be ready for whenever the time comes, to be secure in Jesus Christ and ultimately not worry about when he is coming back tomorrow.  If you are really one of his, the Word is clear that “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” (visit John 10:27-29)

My main concern at this point and time of my life is making sure of and being secure that I am one of His sheep.  That should be your concern also.  The rest will take care of itself.  It will. 

Come Lord Jesus; and tomorrow is OK. And when tomorrow comes, may we be found in Him.

Defense

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect….” 1 Peter 3:15

I’ve always liked this passage.  It’s about speaking truth, but doing so in love (visit Ephesians 4:15).

But it is a passage that should make all believers take a bit of pause. Clearly, we need to be able to articulate the hope that is in us; and then be able to defend that hope when challenged about it.

           

Christianity is a blind faith…said no one ever.

Instead, trusting and believing in Jesus Christ requires some evidence of truth, thinking through the evidence, and then being able to “make a defense” regarding what we know and trust.

In short, faith in Jesus is like the perfect bridging of head and heart.  It’s not enough to ‘know’ about Jesus. His Spirit does have to reside about 18 inches below our heads.  In the same way nobody is asked to blindly accept Christ in their hearts without pondering the evidence for doing so.  We are encouraged to use that area that rests some eighteen inches above our hearts as well.

In your life, what is the evidence that you know and trust that might be challenged?  Have you pondered how you would articulate the “reason for the hope that is in you” when that challenge arises?

Maybe these early days of Lent might be a good time to stop and take a few minutes and ponder.  What is your faith ultimately in? Why have you placed your faith in that?  What evidence, historically or experientially, do you have for what you believe in?

And be prepared to make the defense.  It’s a biblical imperative.