“But of that day or hour no one knows not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert for you do not know when the appointed time will come.” [Mark 13:32-33]
There will come a moment in history when everything as we know it will change. Jesus promised He would come back. We don’ t know when. He doesn’t even know when. There is a day and an hour appointed by the Father when Jesus will come back. People have tried to predict it. Many have diminished the return of Jesus as myth.
Just as assuredly as I sit at this table working on this book, Jesus is coming back. In these verses Jesus tells us to do two things. Take heed. Keep on the alert. Let’s take a closer look at both.
What does Jesus mean when He tells us to take heed? It means to beware, to perceive, to look on, and to see. We must watch the times and beware of the things going on in the world. In the last days Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of wars. There will be earthquakes and famines. These are the birth pangs. [Mark 13:7-9] If we are to take heed we need to understand that we are living in the end times. That is one thing most Bible scholars agree on.
There are two implications for us. This is not a time to be drifting in our relationship with the Lord. He could come at any moment. That sends chills down my spine to know that He could return before I finish this sentence or this book. I want to be ready when that time comes. The other implication for me is a lot of people are not ready. They are not saved. It is way past time for the church to open up her mouth to proclaim the gospel of Christ in the highways and byways of our communities. Time is running out. If we care about people we do not want them to have to endure the seven years of tribulation. It will be catastrophic.
Jesus also commanded us to keep on the alert. Some translations interpret that phrase as “to keep watch and pray.” The meaning is for us to stay awake, to keep on our toes, and to pray. Even as I write this I am thinking of two men that I am burdened about their salvation. One I have witnessed to time and time again. The other I am looking for the opportunity prayerfully. We don’t see much of each other.
None of us know the appointed time. That is extremely sobering. If we do not know we should live each day with this reality on the forefront of our minds. To be perfectly honest I had not given this truth one thought until I began meditating on the above scriptures and writing this devotion. Why is that?
Why am I lulled to sleep by the routines and rhythm of this life? Today is Wednesday and I have a routine for Wednesdays as I do for Thursdays and Fridays. All of that could suddenly change in the twinkling of an eye. Do we know people who are not saved? Are we motivated to share Christ with them before it is too late? Take heed and keep on the alert. He could come at any moment!
Steps to Revival
1. How much time have you given to thinking about the Second Coming before today?
2. In what ways do you need to take heed?
3. Do you know people who are not saved and with whom God is calling you to share Christ?
4. How does God want you to respond to this devotion? Are you ready to meet Christ? If not what needs to happen to get you prepared?
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