Living in Light of Christ's Return: Understanding the Significance of the End Times.

The Illusion of Normal Days: Understanding the Significance of Christ's Return

Life as we know it can be unpredictable and full of surprises. While some days pass by without any significant occurrence, other days can leave us with memories that last a lifetime. Amidst the ups and downs of daily life, it's easy to forget that we are living in a fallen world. A world that is constantly changing and will one day come to an end.

As Christians, we believe in the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus will return to earth one day to judge the living and the dead. However, many of us live our lives as though this event will never happen. We go about our daily routines, focusing on the present and ignoring the future. This illusion of normal days is a dangerous mindset to have, as it blinds us to the reality of the world we live in and the significance of Christ's return.

The Days of Noah

In Matthew 24:37-39, Jesus describes the days leading up to his return, comparing them to the days of Noah:

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

During the days of Noah, people were preoccupied with their day-to-day lives. They were eating, drinking, and getting married, completely unaware of the impending disaster that was about to strike. Similarly, Jesus tells us that in the days leading up to his return, people will be going about their normal routines, oblivious to the fact that the end is near.

It's important to note that the people during the days of Noah were not necessarily doing anything wrong. Eating, drinking, and getting married are all normal and necessary parts of life. However, the problem was that they were so focused on the present that they failed to prepare for the future. They didn't heed the warnings of Noah and failed to enter the ark. As a result, they perished in the flood.

Living in the End Times

As Christians, we believe that we are living in the end times. While we don't know the exact day or hour of Christ's return, we are called to be prepared at all times. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus says, "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Being ready for Christ's return doesn't mean living in fear or constantly obsessing over the end times. Instead, it means living our lives in a way that honors God and prepares us for eternity. We should be actively seeking to grow in our faith, serving others, and sharing the gospel with those around us.

Living in the end times also means being aware of the signs that Jesus gives us in Matthew 24. Some of these signs include wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution of believers. While these signs have been present throughout history, they will increase in intensity and frequency as we draw closer to Christ's return.

The Importance of Christ's Return

The second coming of Christ is not just some distant event that we can ignore. It's a significant event that will have a profound impact on the world and on our lives.

For believers, the return of Christ means that we will be reunited with our Lord and Savior. We will receive our glorified bodies and dwell with God for eternity. This is a hope that should bring us comfort and joy as we go through the trials and challenges of this life.

For unbelievers, the return of Christ means judgment. Those who have rejected Christ and refused to repent will face eternal separation from God. This is a sobering reality that should motivate us to share the gospel with those around us.

Living in Light of Christ's Return

So how do we live in light of Christ's return? Here are a few practical steps we can take:

1. Keep our focus on eternity

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of daily life and forget about the eternal perspective. We need to remind ourselves daily that this life is temporary and that our true home is in heaven.

2. Be prepared

We need to be ready for Christ's return at all times. This means taking our faith seriously and actively seeking to grow in our relationship with God. We should be living in a way that honors God and prepares us for eternity.

3. Share the gospel

Christ's return means judgment for unbelievers. As Christians, we have a responsibility to share the gospel with those around us. We should be seeking opportunities to share the love and truth of Christ with our friends, family, and coworkers.

4. Pray

We need to pray for Christ's return and for the salvation of those who are lost. We should be praying for opportunities to share the gospel and for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who hear the message.

Conclusion

The illusion of normal days is a dangerous mindset to have. It blinds us to the reality of the world we live in and the significance of Christ's return. As we go about our daily lives, let's remember that we are living in the end times. Let's keep our focus on eternity, be prepared, share the gospel, and pray for Christ's return. May we live our lives in a way that honors God and prepares us for the day when Christ will return to judge the living and the dead.