SERVICE MAN or SAVIOR?
Today a service man was scheduled to work on one of our appliances. He said he would be here between 10 AM and noon. Thus, I knew he would come in the morning, but specifically I would not know he had arrived until I saw or heard him at the door.
How similar that is to Jesus' scheduled coming in the Rapture. He gave us some general information to alert us: Society would disintegrate and degenerate into perversity and wickedness. Many natural disasters would multiply even more. Worst of all, the Church would apostatize. But of the hour when the Son of Man comes, no one knows, not even Jesus Himself (Matthew 24:35-41; I Thessalonians 5:1-3; II Peter 3:10; and Revelation 3:3).
Knowing the service man would come in the morning, I climbed out of bed earlier than usual and made sure I was dressed and ready for the day well before the ten o'clock hour. I opened the overhead garage door so he could come in close to the utility room where the dryer is. Then I waited and watched for his truck.
Though I had a two-hour window when he could come anytime within it, I didn't start a project like bread baking or cleaning the living room. I didn't want to miss hearing his knock on the door or be caught unawre when he pulled into the yard. Though I even had a little time free before 10 AM, I didn't run a quick errand. He just might come earlier than planned and I'd miss him if I were not home yet.
And then I saw him on the driveway! He was here! I greeted him at the door and he went to work. Soon he had the dryer up and running again!
Jesus admonished us in Matthew 24 to be watching and ready for His coming. We call it the Rapture, our meeting Him in the air to be with Him forever! The parable of The Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 speaks of five wise virgins who had oil in their lamps and five foolish young ladies who didn't think ahead and bring extra oil with them. While they went to buy more oil, the five wise women went to the bridal feast, leaving their companions behind.
Reader, how much planning have you done to be ready for the Rapture? Are you awake and out of slumber concerning the signs of the times in which we live?
Are you fully dressed in a robe of pure white washed in the blood of Jesus? Have you abstained from distractions that can captivate your attention away from watching and waiting for Jesus' call?
Are you walking in obedience to all He said and not running after whims, so that when Jesus comes you're not left behind?
Jesus won't be coming as a service man. He's coming as your Bridegroom! Are you living true to Him and looking with glad anticipation for His appearing at the door? He wants a Bride who loves Him with utter abandon. Is that you? Do be watching for Him! He's almost at the Door!