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by Ruth O’Neil
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42 NIV).
It seems there’s been a lot of talk about the end of the world as we know it and the second coming of Christ. We certainly are living in a crazy time. Although it’s not the first of its kind. People have been expecting Christ to come soon even in the New Testament shortly after the crucifixion. If anything, it should light a fire under us as believers to make sure we witness to all with whom we come in contact. People are searching more than ever these days. They have no hope because they have no Savior or the promise of eternal life.
As a child, I imagined that rays of sunlight reaching down to earth from the clouds was what it will look like when Christ returns. Now as an adult, I wonder if this is one of God’s ways of reminding us to keep looking up. God wants us to be watching for His return as in the parable of the oil lamps.
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:1-13 KJV).
We need to be working and trying to reach others for Christ with every moment we have left.
When the rapture happens it will only last a moment, and in that instant we will neither have time to make last–minute decisions or be able to enjoy the moment. The Bible uses the words “flash” and “twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Before we know it has begun, it will be over. Because of all that, we need to be busy working for the kingdom now.
Don’t let the negativity we see every day keep your focus on this world; instead, turn your face and your heart upward, working tirelessly until the day He comes in the clouds.
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen“ (Revelation 1:7 KJV).
About the Author:
Ruth O’Neil has been writing for over 20 years. She has published hundreds of articles in numerous publications. She loves to touch the emotions when she writes. “If I can make one person laugh or cry, I’ll consider myself successful.” Her first novel “Come Eat at My Table” has just come out in ebook form and can be purchased on her website. She homeschools her three children (well, one now, as two have graduated). She and her husband have been married for 20-plus years. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading. You can visit her on her blog at ruths-real-life (dot)blogspot.com or her website at ruthoneil (dot)weebly.com
