Combined, the signs suggest that Christ’s return isn’t immediate, but occurs after a prolonged period (of labour). Of course, some of us may get complacent, believing that there is time – despite the signs to the contrary. That isn’t necessarily the case, however. We must always be ready, for Christ’s return will be sudden. If we aren’t ready, it will be too late. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Matthew 24:30 NIV
[30] “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
The Sign will Appear
Interestingly, in light of all else that happens, this sign isn’t written as an ‘and suddenly’. Rather Y’shua recounts it as another item in the series of events related to the birth pangs of Christ’s return. But this isn’t just any sign. This is the sign of signs. Staying with the metaphor of birthing, I imagine that this sign would be the moment when the head appears, confirming that this isn’t Braxton-Hicks contractions, but the real deal. That’s why we must be ready.
Self-Check
Are we truly ready to meet Christ? Is there anything outstanding?
Application
Siblings, there’s a love song that carries the term, ‘If I could, I would, I shoulda’, which I believe captured the sentiment some of us on earth will have when the sign of Christ’s return manifests. But ‘could … would … should have’ cannot actualise the undone. At that point, it may be too late to redeem ourselves.
I am reminded in my spirit of the gem, ‘If a task is once begun, never leave it until it’s done … do it well or not at all.’ It is my prayer that we will not be caught off guard. Rather, we will be among those rejoicing for having made use of the time before seeing The Sign. Truly, it doesn’t matter whether we know what that sign is. We’ve gotten all the early warnings. Our present task is to discern and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
Rather than being included among the mourners, we will be among the celebrants, rejoicing at the sight of the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory! Otherwise, siblings, we ought to be among the dead in Christ, rising to meet Him in all His glory.
Our Self-Check question truly gains potency here:
Are we truly ready for His return?
Selah
Point to Ponder
Since The Sign hasn’t yet appeared, might we focus our attention on living fully for Him?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
