Left Behind … – 16 Oct 2008

Can a man disappear?

I wonder how much you think about the “end times”, the time leading up to when Jesus will return?  Perhaps you don’t know much about it?  The Omega course is an excellent way to learn more (I am looking forward to going on it sometime soon!).

A few years ago I was given the book “Left Behind” (by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins) and which starts with the Rapture of Christians from the earth.  All of a sudden the Christians of the world are gone in an instant – without leaving any bodies behind.  Planes crash, disasters happen and many people are convicted that the God they rejected is evidently real.  The story continues (in some 12 books so be prepared for a long haul if you read the first!).

As a child I was somewhat perturbed by the lyrics of the Larry Norman song “I wish we’d all been ready”, which I understand was written in 1969.  I could imagine waking up in the morning to find that my family were all taken up to heaven and I was “left behind” as I probably felt closer to Thomas, the doubter, than any other of the 12 disciples.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn38LidAiZQ

Not everyone believes in the “rapture”, and I am not going to argue the case for or against the precepts of the books.  But, most importantly, where do we stand?  Are we ready for the second coming of Jesus?

"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.  But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.  On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything.  Remember Lot's wife!  Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.  I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left."  Luke 17: 26-35 [NIV]

Lord, keep us attentive to your commands for our lives and help us to live according to your will. 

Amen.