When It All Comes Crashing Down
My Monday began earlier than usual with a visit to the Larimer County Republican breakfast meeting. Later, I had lunch with my friend Jim Szakmeister to discuss the upcoming Men’s Retreat, where I will share in a workshop session. Between those events I got my haircut. I congratulate Meagan Lee who has cut my hair the last six months on her graduation from Regency Beauty School in Fort Collins.
I have found it interesting to reflect on one year ago when I was hospitalized with septic shock and spent a little over two weeks in the hospital and back at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. So as I move at a seemingly snails pace forward in my recovery, I am glad that I’m not where I was one year ago. (https://kensummers.org/?p=123)
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Soon after the trouble of those days, the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky….” Matthew 24:29,30
It is interesting how often you run into a magazine article or a TV program that talks about the dangers of the earth being hit by asteroids, or “what if the sun did not shine?” or some other cosmic tragedy. What is interesting when we read the Bible is that those events are on the horizon. However, they are not just a result of happenstance, or a freak accident, they are part of God’s judgement and redemption of the earth. John in Revelation records the following,
“…a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water…” Revelation 8:10
The events of the time period the Bible calls the “Tribulation” are not unlike the plagues that came upon Egypt. They will result in death and destruction and many are related to that which people worship above the Lord and are the natural consequence of the Lord removing His restraint from the earth. What will be interesting is if these events, when they happen, will be recognized for what they are and “why they are.”
Jesus said that these events will happen just before the coming of the “Son of Man.” They take place then because when Christ returns, He will establish a new heavens and a new earth. Peter said, “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare….That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:10,12.13)
John talks about this new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1,2 “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”
When will all this happen? We don’t know, and Jesus said, “we won’t know.” But we will see the signs of that day coming. That calls us to watchfulness and focus.
“Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come...So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.” (Matthew 24:42-44)
“….make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him…since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:14,17,18)
The Bible does tell us “how to live in a world headed for destruction.” We can live in peace and we can live and grow each day in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. That’s the place of safety and security.