Yesterday we were here. The clock ticks to the appointed time. And we arise from our beds as the sun arises above the clouds, like yesterday. We will drink coffee. We will eat breakfast. We will rush to work on time. We will meet deadlines. We will lunch with co-workers. We will clock-out on time. And tonight, we will eat and drink with family and friends.
But what if today is unlike yesterday? What if today is unlike tomorrow? What if this morning is not the moment before the afternoon, but the moments before the return of Jesus Christ?
“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24: 37-39)
The morning before Noah’s flood wasn’t particularly interesting. The people arose from their beds as the sun arose above the clouds, like the day before. They worked. They ate. They drank. They laughed. And they made plans for the future.
They didn’t notice the clouds gathering together. They weren’t disturbed by the thunderstorms. They didn’t know that they were in the moments before the flood, until it swept them away.
Today Christ may be here. Right now, we may be in the moments before the return of Jesus Christ. Right now, as you read this, Christ may be in-between heaven and earth. The sun may be about to darken. The stars may be about to fall from heaven. The powers of the heavens may be about to be shaken. The angels may be preparing the loud trumpet call. Christ may be mere hours, minutes, or even seconds away from His return. And you may be in the moments before you drown in your sins.
“Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)
Noah and his family were ready for the flood. He trusted in God’s promises. He built a life of faith and repentance. He built an ark, which was his only means of salvation from the flood. In the same way, we too must prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ by trusting in him alone for salvation. We must trust that though we are sinful and deserving of being swept away by his wrath, all those who trust in his death and resurrection are declared righteous by God. So that whenever he returns, whether it’s seconds or years from now, we will be ready.