Good Morning!

We may get some snow! Actually, the odds are very good. My grandfather was a student of the weather. He told me that robins always get snowed on. He said that when you see the first robin of the year, you can expect at least one more snow. Believe it or not, that has happened every year since I have started paying attention – since I was a kid – except for one. I heard from another person years ago that it’s actually TWO snows. I don’t have much of a history on that. So, for now, count on one. Maybe today!

That remind me of Jesus’ teaching regarding seasons. Although many feel Jesus is referring to the Tribulation in this parable, it serves a good lesson to anticipate our Savior’s return:

Luke 24:29-36 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So, also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

It serves us well to anticipate Jesus’ return because many scholars believe that all prophetic events have taken place up to the Rapture, that time when all believers, both alive and dead, will be caught up with Jesus in the sky. Then the Tribulation will occur on earth followed by the Second Coming of Christ and his Millennium Rule. Then comes the Great White Throne Judgement (lake of fire). Finally, the New Heaven and New Earth for all believers. So, this fig tree period refers to anticipation of the Second Coming.

Still, we see other biblical warnings for us to stay awake and anticipate Jesus. The Rapture could happen at any moment, perhaps as you are reading these very words. This is a good thing. A very good thing. Yes, it’s true not everyone will be taken, but I guarantee you that everyone that Jesus intends to take will go. There will be not one believer left behind. Sure, there will be new believers coming to faith among the hordes left, but none who believe before.

What will that look like?

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

How about it? Do these words encourage you? They should. If not, why? Are you sorrowful that loved ones will not join you? Then get right with God so that you might soon share the gospel with them knowing full well that salvation is God’s decision, not yours. Our job is to share the gospel. Let’s be comfortable knowing his decision is always best. What else may be holding you back from looking forward to the Rapture? Sin may be the problem. Perhaps we have sin interfering with our relationship with Jesus. If so, get rid of it. End of story. Jesus has given us everything we need to rid our lives of sin. As in ALREADY. It’s our job to trust him and do it. Why put up with sin? It serves no purpose other than to keep you from God. Enjoy Him fully and cast off anything that gets in your way.

One day we will see him, face to face. That man, God, who stooped down to touch us will come and bring us home. In the meantime, he is preparing us.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.”

How cool is that? God is our God and we are His people! And we shall all soon see him!

Come, Lord Jesus!