THE RETURN OF THE KING

Matthew 24:36-4436 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels inheaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the daysof Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For inthe days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marryingand giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 andthey knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came andtook them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Sonof Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and theother left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one willbe taken and the other left. 42 Therefore keep watch, because you donot know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: Ifthe owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief wascoming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house bebroken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Manwill come at an hour when you do not expect Him.

Ever since The Lord of the Rings trilogy hit the big screen, fansaround the world have been attracted to it, and its third and finalepisode was no exception. The Return of the King drew huge crowdsthat waited in long lines to watch the new release--eagerlyanticipating a great movie. The show generated big bucks with itscaptivating plot and storyline. It was phenomenal.

Something occurred to me as I thought about the flick: Arewe--children of the King of kings--ready and eagerly awaiting Hisreturn, just as fans counted down the days to the release of TheReturn of the King? The Word of God says in Matthew 24:40, "Keepwatch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."Jesus promised us that He'll return one day to take all of Hischildren home with Him to the place He has prepared. Yet, not all ofus are prepared for His arrival as evidenced by the way we live hereon earth.

As the day draws nearer, let's be ready for our King's return. Jesustold His disciples that He will come at an unexpected hour (v.44),and He wants to find us serving Him faithfully and doing His willhere--not sinning against Him. Despite the fact that no one on earthknows when our Savior will come again, we must constantly remindourselves of His imminent return, live right before Him, and tellothers about His love and truth.

Sounds like a huge responsibility, doesn't it? But that's what we'recalled to do as His children--live out our faith and proclaim Hisgoodness to all. In 1 Peter 2:9 we read, "You are a chosen people, aroyal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that youmay declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness intoHis wonderful light."

When our King comes back, there will be a great reward and joyfulcelebration if we declare His praises today. --David Chan, Singapore
Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader

DESTINATION POINTS

* If Jesus were to return today, where would I be going?
* How is my life today pleasing and acceptable to God? How is it not?

LINKS:
Where Do We Go From Here?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1202
What Can We Know About The Second Coming?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1204

bottom line: Are you ready for the return of the King?

soul journey