December 12 - Coming

December 12 - Coming

Luke 17:20-37

We find one other passage in Luke's gospel where Jesus speaks about the coming of the Kingdom of God. In this passage, the Pharisees had come to Him asking when the kingdom would come.

In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus listens to their question and then challenges them. The Pharisees had been trained to look for signs of the coming kingdom. One of those signs had just occurred in the previous verses when Jesus healed the ten lepers. The Pharisees actually missed it. Jesus clearly tells them that the kingdom is among them. He represented the kingdom of God and they couldn't see that reality.

Then, Jesus goes on to teach His disciples about the future coming of the Son of Man. They had hoped that His presence on earth at this point would signify the end of all things. Jesus lets them know that it will not happen in their lifetimes. He prophesies His crucifixion, His suffering and rejection. (Luke 17:25) He also assures them that this will not be a secret activity. When He returns, everyone will know it. They shouldn't (we shouldn't) listen to those that have secrets to reveal about His coming. Everyone will see flashes like lightning that light up the sky from one end to the other.

The lessons learned from the days of Noah and of Lot need to be remembered by all. When God makes a decision to do something, it will be done. When the floods came, people were eating, drinking and marrying - just living normal lives. When fire and sulfur rained down on Sodom, people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building - just living normal lives. They were all destroyed.

When Jesus returns, we will be eating and drinking, marrying, working, playing - just living normal lives. There will not be time to grab a jacket or remember our scrapbooks. Everything that we are accustomed to having will be set aside. There will be no time to go back for anything.

Noah and Lot heeded God's warning. They did what He asked them to do and were saved. Lot's wife couldn't obey ... Jesus asks us to remember her. She tried to keep hold of her life - her old life. She didn't understand that she was giving it up for a better life.

In the night - two people sleeping in the same bed - one goes, one stays. During the day - two people working together - one goes, one stays. Physical proximity doesn't matter. You are on your own when the final judgment comes. One goes - one stays. And when the judgment comes, those who stay will be carrion for the vultures.

The Kingdom of God is Coming