Are You Ready?

WEEKLY WORD:
At the end of the 19th century, two French writers went to visit the well-known French scientist, Pierre Berthelot. Berthelot was a kind of scientific prophet. He forecast some of the weapons of mass destruction that would appear in the next century.

He said to the writers, ‘We have only begun to list the alphabet of destruction.’ Silence fell over the meeting. Then the elder of the two writers said quietly, ‘I think before that time comes, God will come like a great gatekeeper with his keys dangling at his waist and say, “Gentlemen, it’s closing time.”

The great battle of Armageddon, among other things, is a part of God’s closing time on world history. Books have been written and films produced about Armageddon, showing it as the world’s great closing time battle of all battles. It is depicted in the Bible as the raging war at the end of this world age when, at some point, God will step into man’s history to put down all evil forever, and to stop mankind before we totally destroy ourselves.

I don’t claim to be an expert on biblical prophecy, especially relating to the specific details of the end of this world age. For me, the important thing is that we are ready because that time will also be marked by Jesus Christ’s coming again for all those who have accepted him as their Saviour–and have had their sins forgiven–to take them to be with him forever in heaven.

What a wonderful day Christ’s return will be for all true Christians–not those in name only–but for those who are truly Christ-ones. And what a tragic day it will be for those who have never accepted God’s forgiveness. Also at the end of this world age, to the unsaved ones, according to Jesus, God will say, “‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Whatever and wherever hell is, it is a terrifying thought to be lost there without hope for all eternity–eternally separated from God, the author of all love and life.

The good news is that there is no need for you or me to miss out on God’s forgiveness and a home in heaven to be with him forever–where God himself will wipe away all tears … and where there will be no more sickness, sadness, sorrow, or dying. God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life is ours for the asking.

As sure as the prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Christ’s first coming have all come true, we can be just as certain that Jesus Christ will come again and that Armageddon will take place.

We periodically get religious cranks posing as Biblical scholars predicting a definite day for the end of the world. Don’t believe a word of it. The Bible specifically says, “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven.” Matt 24.36. (NLT)
But one thing is certain – that day is coming and we need to be ready. It could be tomorrow or next year or next century and the way things are going I suspect that it is a lot closer than we imagine. So get ready – and if you are not ready then get your act together and join God’s forever family.