The year was 1844. America was on the verge of electing the 11th President of the United States. Samuel Morse sent the first telegram from Washington DC to Baltimore. Charles Dickens famous novel, A Christmas Carol, sold out of its first publication. Just a few years prior, Captain Charles Wilkes circumnavigates Antarctica and claims it U.S. territory.
But it was in March of 1844 that William Miller, founder of Adventism (also known as 7th day Adventist), former captain in the war of 1812, and a self-proclaimed prophet, drew in thousands of followers in not only attempting to predict, but actually setting the date of when Christ would return. Apprehensions was high to expecting our returning Lord, his many followers grew anxious and waiting for that cold day in March to come, and not surprising, on the 21st of March, nothing happened. But the story doesn’t end there. Miller confessed his error and acknowledged his disappointment, but after careful review, a new date was set to October 22. People was rallied again on the new day which Christ would return, along with all the apprehension and anxiety. And without much surprise, the second date came just like the first- no spectacle to wonder. In the history books, this was known as the ‘Great Disappointment,’ mainly because people not only was fooled into believing Miller once, but twice. Each time giving people the ‘illusion’ of God predisposition, which we have no knowledge of in the first place. Miller died in 1849, a discredited and almost forgotten man. But he was right about one thing, ‘Christ is coming soon!’
Just think friends, how wonderful is it to expect our returning Lord? What joy we should have, encompassing the idea that we will meet our savior, our Lord, king of kings and Lord of Lords, face to face, real soon! But much like the followers of Miller and us today, what does it take for us to actually believe in Christ’s return? Is it enough to know what Jesus said about His own return? The book of Revelation speaks volumes about this matter. So does Isaiah, Ezekiel and a few other prophetic books. But what does it take to wake us up, to be genuinely ready for something that we have no idea when it will actually happen, despite the self proclaimed people, like miller, that gives us false predictions and misleadings.
In just a few weeks, we celebrate a huge milestone God placed before mankind, to welcome in the birth, the first coming of the son of man. To save, to redeem and liberate all mankind from their sin. For some, it was a surprise for the messiah to come, especially in the form of a new born child, even though scripture foretold of HIs coming, but with no date! All of which enforced the idea of being prepared or ready for His coming!
Just not long ago, I underwent the ‘Life Line Screening’ test, which consisted of blood work, checking your arteries in the neck, anyerusms and a few other things. It was done all on the premise to help prevent a potential problem in my body. I would be wrong in saying I can predict my health by doing this life screening check often, when in fact, its not a prediction, but it merely tells me where I currently am, and what the numbers come back to say that may raise an alarm if I stay on my current path in how I take care of myself. Such it is for our spirit. We too need to do a spiritual evaluation with the Holy Spirit. Where are we in this Godly journey, and are we prepared and ready to meet God?
I think about what God is telling us today in scripture. How we are not just to be ready to meet God, but we are to live our everyday life as if God could come at any time. So let us start our journey today with Pauls letter to the Romans, chapter 13 starting at verse 11. “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.”
In these few verses, Paul is plainly telling us to not only prepare ourselves in being Christians, but be aware, alert and ready to meet God. He gives us the profound notion that being prepared for Gods return, there is no room for procrastination. “Salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed.” Basically this is saying, we are closer to meeting God today than we were yesterday. Today is Gods blessings, yesterday was Gods gift. There is no promise for tomorrow, except we hope and pray God gives it to us. It is the word ‘Salvation’ that has the most profound affect in our lives, as to what it means for us everyday. A Believer in Christ was saved at one point in their past, this is called Justification. As we continue to walk in Gods light, live the Christian life, we are continually being saved by what is called Sanctification. Finally, as we journey our way though to the end when Christ returns, we will ultimately be saved which is called glorification. All of which is done by ways of preparing ourselves, and making no provisions for the flesh, and all of its desires. We should never give into sin. We should be able to see far off in a distance, knowing Christ will return, with us in mind, body and spirit. We are to always be ready, even when the times appear null and void.
A gentleman visiting a certain school promised to give a prize to the pupil whose desk he found in the best order when he returned. “But when will you return?” some of them asked.
“That I cannot tell,” was the answer. A little girl, who had been noted for her disorderly habits, announced that she meant to win the prize. “You!” her schoolmates jeered; “why, your desk is always out of order.”
“Oh! but I mean to clean it the first of every week.”
“But suppose the teacher should come at the end of the week?” someone asked.
“Then I will clean it every morning.”
“But the teacher may come at the end of the day.” For a moment the little girl was silent. “I know what I’ll do,” she said decidedly, “I’ll just keep it clean all the time.” Makes sense don’t it?
In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus tells us this, “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.” 42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
Why so much emphasis on being ready do you think? Obviously this was a concern, a hot topic of the days of Jesus, and guess what, it’s the same for us today.
When I was in the country of Wales, I remember to use their public bathroom, you would insert a coin currency in the slot machine, the door would automatically open and you enter and it closes behind you. Before entering the bathroom, it was clearly labeled on the door, automatic door timer. When the timer was up, ready or not, the door opened automatically. No one should have been surprised before entering. How many like to be caught with their pants down? How many like to be caught off guard? Just like playing hide and go seek, “Ready or not, here I come!” In titling todays message, “Its time to wake up,” I would like for you to reflect and respond to Jesus words that although we do not know when God will return, we are to be ready for Him. And even though some people have the predisposition that there is always time to ask God for forgiveness, scripture clearly tells us otherwise. There is no guarantee we will have another opportunity to seek Gods forgiveness, to be saved—having our names written in the Lambs book of life. Today is the day of salvation! Billy Graham was emphatic on this notion at every crusade. This very moment is not guaranteed to last.
SO what do we do? What can we do to be properly prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ?
Being watchful and certain He is returning. Living as children of the light and of the day because we do not belong to darkness and night. Remember what I said earlier was vitally important. “…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.” Make no room in your life for ungodly things.
We are to Put on the armour of God - The Belt of truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Shoes with the readiness of the Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. (Ephesians 6)
Spending time in the Word of God. From the Prophet Abraham, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Amos, Jonah, and so many others-how do you think they became aware and prepared for Gods will for their lives, in being ready for Gods purpose and plan? By spending quality time with Him, in prayer and His word. Same with us today.
Taking Gods word serious and applying it to our lives. I cannot emphasize this enough, we have to be ‘Willing to Listen and Obey!’ Its not enough to just read Gods word and listen to what he says, we have to obey and apply it! We have to be receptive, willing to be attentive, knowing His will for us is the best thing for us.
Let us all wake up friends. Wake up knowing Gods timing, is not our timing. Periodically, like Miller, someone will claim to have discovered a secret that indicates the date of Christ’s return, but all is folly, untrue. Many people besides miller have done this same thing, but when its boiled down to why people are looking to find when God is to return, its really about not having faith in God, and not wanting to be off guard, even wanting to wait until the last minute. For some, its living a life the way they want to live, until they reach their death bed, in hopes they can pray like Hell to get saved. Both not a guarantee, and not Gods command for us. The idea that Christ will come like a thief in the night, really pierces the heart knowing a thief really does relate to someone that comes when we least expect them.
Think, we have Gods word, proven to last, effective to the end, that secures us knowing when we are prepared, we stand ready to meet God and all of what life throws at us, being constantly protected with His everlasting arms. And just think, when we meet God, we should long for the awesome words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” We ALL should feel ecstatic in meeting our Savior!
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for those he calls faithful. Amen.