"Therefore be on the alert, for
you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
Matthew 24:42
If the Tsunami disaster had not occurred last year I believe Hurricane Katrina
would be the disaster story of the year. As you have seen on T.V. and read in
the newspapers, this hurricane caused a much greater disaster then we could have
possibly imagined. So far the world has been able to pull together to help the
victims of the Tsunami and now those effected by Hurricane Katrina. There will
come a day though, and I believe it is not far off, where so many disasters will
happen all at once that the world (including the U.S) will not be able to rally
as we have in the past.
The Scripture is very clear that these kinds of events will increase as we get
ready for Christ's return (Matthew 24). There is no doubt that
we have had wars and disasters for centuries now, but as the end nears, these
events will increase in number and frequency. Jesus likens these events to that
of a mother ready to give birth. The closer to the birth the mother draws the
more the contractions occur. Therefore, the closer to His return we draw the
more frequent wars and disasters will occur. And since these events (wars,
disasters) are becoming more frequent, one needs to take careful note as a
Christian, and perhaps make new plans accordingly.
Every day we live is one day closer to Christ's return; therefore I suggest you
make the most out of every opportunity you have to share Christ with others.
He has put each of you in communities that need Christ and you are His elected
ambassadors to them. Pray and think about how you might rearrange your present
priorities. Perhaps you need to adjust your plans for a secure retirement and
work tirelessly for the salvation of others.
Can such a disaster ever hit my hometown of Bakersfield? You bet it could. I
live in earthquake country and a nice 9.0 tremor could rock my city and set our
oil fields afire. So I plan to make the most of my time while I can. You
might want to do the same (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:11;
Colossians 4:5-6).
God speed,
Kent McClain
Word of God
Matthew 24 3-8 3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives,
the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things
happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4
And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 5 "For
many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. 6
"You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not
frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7
"For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and in various
places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 "But all these things are merely
the beginning of birth pangs.
Matthew 24: 3-39 32 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch
has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is
near; 33so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near,
right at the door. 34 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things take place. 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My
words will not pass away. 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even
the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 "For the coming of
the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 "For as in those days
before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until
the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 28:19-20 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, 2 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age."
2 Corinthians 5: 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according
to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Colossians 4:5-6 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders,
making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as
though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each
person.
