The Alert

I heard the alert at 2:00 in the morning.
I instinctively grabbed my phone and tried to read the message with sleepy eyes.
After a few blinks, the words became clear.
Severe Thunderstorm warning. Take precautionary measures immediately.

The words were a bit disconcerting to read at 2:00am.
As if on cue, the room lit up.
It was as if someone had turned on a strobe light.
The thunder could be heard in the distance.

I remembered that our large market umbrella on the deck was still up.
I got up and opened the back door and closed the umbrella.
The sky lit up and then just as if someone had turned off a switch, the sky became dark.
The rain began in large drops making polka dots on the deck.

I came back inside, locked the door, and went back to bed.
Before I knew it, my alarm was going off and it was morning.
The storm had not materialized into the emergency they predicted.
At least not here.

The storm did live up to its expectations elsewhere.
There were power outages and lightning strikes.
There were tree limbs down.
There was debris.

And I slept.

I was grateful for the warning.
I was grateful that it did not become the storm they predicted.
The strong language was difficult to read at 2:00am.
Actually, the strong language would be difficult to read at any time.

Take precautionary measures immediately.

Ominous words.
Necessary words.

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ’, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things will happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of the birth pangs. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:3-14)

Jesus answered the disciples’ questions with an alert of His own.
I imagine that if this had been a text, it would have said something similar to my alert.
Take precautionary actions immediately.
However, there is one difference.

No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (Matthew 24:36, 42)

The alert was sent to my phone last night but the storm never affected our area.
Jesus’ warnings concerning the signs of His coming will indeed happen.
They will affect everyone.
Such grace to let us know these things ahead of time.

How can we take precautionary actions immediately if we don’t know the day or hour?
We can live our lives for Jesus now, trusting in Him for our salvation.
We can live in gratitude for His Word that tells us these things beforehand.
We can keep His admonitions in mind and live our lives accordingly.

Watch out!

So many people get out their maps and charts and try to figure out the day and the hour.
It cannot be done.
The timing is purposely vague.

So you must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him…It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. (Matthew 24:46)

Be ready!

Recognize that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.
Know that we all need a Savior since we can do nothing on our own to save ourselves.
Trust in Jesus alone for your salvation.

Believe in the One that God the Father sent.
Do what the Lord has called you to do while you wait for Him to return.
Preach the Gospel so that all nations will hear.

Keep Watch!

Knowing that Jesus can come back at any minute but realizing there is work to be done.
Having one eye on the sky, waiting for His return.
Having both hands and both feet here, ready for service.

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:27)

Everyone will see Him on that day!
Some will dread when they see Him and hide their faces.
Some will rejoice when they see Him and lift their hands in worship.

Ominous, necessary words for some.
Grace-filled, comforting words of promise for others.

Watch out!
Be ready!
Keep watch!

Jesus is coming back to bring His people Home.