Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Matthew 24:30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
ALL WILL SEE HIM
Jesus taught his disciples that when someone loves him, that person is loved by the Father, and the Triune God will live in that person. Before he ascended into the sky, Jesus promised his followers that he would be with them, even to the end of the age. Jesus promised that where two or three gather in his name, he would be present. Jesus further promised that he would come to them in the Lord's Supper--body in the bread, blood in the wine--miraculous, but present.
In Psalm 139 it says that there is nowhere a person can go to hide from God. Fly into the sky, God is there. Descend into the grave, God is there. Sink into the deepest ocean trench, God is there. God sees you in the darkest of night. God knew you in the womb before ultrasound and x-ray.
But God has rarely shown himself visibly.
But that will change on one day in the future. God has given warning long in advance. One day the Son of Man will appear like lighting -- unmistakable, before all people of all time, at the same time. And his purpose will be to call all to account for their deeds on this earth. This is why it says, "all the tribes of the earth will mourn."
Pick a person, any person, and Jesus says that person will stand in the same crowd as you to view his return to earth, in power and glory. Your neighbor. Your spouse. Your son. Your daughter. Your parents. Your friends. There will be no exception.
Will those you hold dear look on Jesus with joy, "Finally I get to see my Savior!" Or with fear and foreboding, "I have no excuse." Use the remaining time wisely. Know and make known the One who comes.
