Countdown to Eternity!

The day of the Son of Man will be like lightning flashing across the sky. But first he must suffer terribly and be rejected by the people of today.

When the Son of Man comes, things will be just as they were when Noah lived. People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day when Noah went into the big boat. Then the flood came and drowned everyone on earth.

When Lot lived, people were also eating and drinking. They were buying, selling, planting, and building. But on the very day Lot left Sodom, fiery flames poured down from the sky and killed everyone. The same will happen on the day when the Son of Man appears. At that time no one on a rooftop should go down into the house to get anything. No one in a field should go back to the house for anything. Remember what happened to Lot's wife.

People who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them. On that night two people will be sleeping in the same bed, but only one will be taken. The other will be left. Two women will be together grinding wheat, but only one will be taken. The other will be left.

Luke 17:24-36

Suddenly and without warning things happen. Life changing events can begin and end in a matter of less than a second of time. An explosion, a car wreck, a plane crash and nothing for you is ever the same again here on this earth. Death itself is instantaneous. One second you are alive and then you are dead. There is no middle ground, partly dead, or somewhat dead. If you live out your allotted time on this earth there will be a specific time when you will be pronounced to be dead.

Difficult things happen suddenly, but so do wonderful things. For nine months a baby is a wonderful promise and is greatly anticipated. Then suddenly and sometimes without much warning the baby arrives kicking and screaming into the world. It certainly is a life changing event for all those in the family.

We use the term “fall in love” because often it happens suddenly and without warning. In the blink of an eye there is awakened within a young man or young woman a spark of tenderness for another person that was not there only a second ago. That spark can be fanned into a flame and burn for a lifetime, but there is that miraculous moment when it starts.

For two thousand years followers of Jesus Christ have looked forward to His return to the earth. We have searched the scriptures and sought to understand it as best we could. But we still don’t know for sure if this is the time or if He will tarry yet longer.

For us the two examples of how to live before ultimate reality moment when Jesus bursts forth again on earth are Noah and Lot. Both were men of God and both lived a life which speaks to our preparation.

Noah worked diligently and obediently to prepare for the flood. The flood that caught everyone else by surprise was no surprise at all to Noah. He knew it was coming and had known it for years. He did not give up on his faith even though he saw no evidences of its fulfillment for years and years.

Lot is an example of separation for the world. Lot left Sodom just before the fire fell. In all honesty Lot was reluctant and had to be dragged out of town by the angels, but he did go. His wife is the example of the consequences of looking longingly back at the world we are leaving behind.

Now the story is not about Noah or Lot. The story is about you and me. So what will I do today that makes me ready for the return of Jesus at any second? One minute before His return will be just like any other. The normal things of life will be your involvement and then suddenly and without warning Jesus Christ will break forth and things will never be the same again!

The countdown to eternity is on but only God can see the clock!