When I was thinking of a startling wake up I remembered a day when I received a call at 4:01 in the morning! When the phone rings that time of the morning, every nerve in my body sets on edge. I immediately think something is wrong. When I answer and no one is there, I hang up, assuming someone from somewhere, got the wrong number. As I tried to go back to sleep it happened again and again. By this time I am wide awake, so I get up. I was unprepared to arise this early because I stayed up late to watch a ballgame.
This unexpected call reminded me of a time when many will receive a call and they will be unprepared. When the time was drawing near for Jesus’ crucifixion, He had many things to say to His disciples. One thing they didn’t understand was His teaching that He was leaving. He told them that He would prepare a place for them and He would come back to get them. To them, what Jesus was saying made no sense.
John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
After He left in Acts 1:9, there were two angels in the form of men that spoke to the disciples. Again, we see the proclamation that He will come again, and He will come in the clouds just like He left in the clouds.
Act 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
The Bible teaches that multitudes will be startled at His coming the second time. They live their lives in slumber acting as if everything is fine as if they will live forever. In Matthew 24:38-42, we are given an account of how sudden and unprepared people will be when He returns. They will be working in the fields, eating, drinking, just doing their normal routine. Then, suddenly those who have placed their faith in Him will be called up to be with the Lord.
Mat 24:38-42 “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
As I am writing, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father, waiting for God to tell him to go get His children. We know he will come on a cloud. All the plans are made, yet, no one but the Father knows the exact time he will come. Because no one knows the day or time it is imperative that we are always ready.
Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
The majority will have a stark awakening on that day. There will not be multiple calls as I had that morning. There will be one call and if you are not ready you can’t answer with a positive response. Will you be one of those that are not ready? Are you putting off being ready for His return, thinking you’ll take care of it later? If that is you, I hope you realize you are gambling with your eternal soul.
