Recently, there was an exciting day here in Bahrain, for some, because Ikea opens (so I’m told)! Its been ‘coming soon’ for the last five years, but, as you’ve no doubt noticed, the gargantuan blue and yellow structure just next to where the highways cross actually does imply the place will be opening soon, and, apparently, today’s the day!
‘Coming soon’ is an interesting phrase, isn’t it, everyone understands it, but yet it lacks an actual point in future time when this ‘thing’ is coming, or taking place. So, Ikea was coming soon in 2013, and, in the wider view of space and time, five years is soon. But, given we were told ‘coming soon’ meant early 2014, this has not been soon, you see?
We read of things coming soon, being near, being at hand, and other similar phrases many times in the Bible, so, does that mean Jesus is coming today, like Ikea, or in five years? Well, nobody knows, Jesus said nobody knows in Matthew 24.36, and in other places, too, you can read them here.
Revelation 1.1-3 says this
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
When we read ‘the time is near’, this really means suddenly. The day Jesus comes back will come suddenly, soon on God’s eternal timeline (if that is even a possible thing), soon in God’s timing (that’s better). If you don’t know what His coming will be like, read ahead of me as we devotionally study Revelation!
So, unlike in the movies when the end of the world is coming and people have a nice long period to scramble the fighter jets, give long and loving speeches, set their pets free, then stand on the roof to await the coming rapture/armageddon (depending which side of the fence you’re on), the actual coming of Jesus will come suddenly, with no warning, at an hour we don’t expect, like a thief in the night.
This means we need to be ready, now…we need to be in right relationship with God, now…how do we do this? Through His Son, His image and imprint who walked the earth, Jesus.
The Philippian jailer said to Paul,
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16.30-31
So, He is coming suddenly. Be ready. Call on His name now, believe, be saved, then get ready!
James Travis 