“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 brought a
much greater disaster to us then we could have possibly imagined. So far
the world has been able to work 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
with the Tsunami and now a category 5 hurricane.
The Scripture is very clear about this,
these 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 more the contractions. Therefore
the closer to His return the more the frequent contractions of wars and
disasters. And since these events (wars, disasters) are becoming more
frequent and worse, you need to take careful note as a Christian, and
perhaps make new plans accordingly.
Time is nearing the end, every day is one day
closer to it, therefore I suggest you make the most out of every opportunity
you have to share Christ with other right now. He has put each of you in
communities who 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 put off you plans for a secure retirement and work
tirelessly for the salvation of others.
Can such a disaster ever hit Bakersfield?
You bet it could; we live in earthquake country and a nice 9.0 could rock
our city and set our oil fields afire. So make the most of your time,
while you have it (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Colossians
4:5-6).
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.
