14th November2014 Daily Reading & Meditation Reading : 2 John 1:4-9; Luke 17:26-37 One will be taken and the other left Gospel : Luke 17:26-37 26 As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was in the days of Lot -- they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all -- 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; and likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lots wife. 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left. 37 And they said to him, Where, Lord? He said to them, Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Meditation: Luke 17:26-37 What can nature teach us about the return of the Lord Jesus on the day of final judgment at the end of the world? Jesus relates two incidents well-known to his hearers: the great flood in Noahs time (Genesis 6-7) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). These two events have two elements in common: People are going about their normal lives as if nothing is going to happen. On a particular day destruction from God occurs suddenly and without further warning. Jesus warns his disciples that when this Day suddenly appears they arent to rush off or turn away to get something. Its inevitable that some life-threatening or life-changing event or cause will take place when the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The return of the Lord Jesus is certain, but the time is unknown. The Day of the Lords judgment and final verdict will come swiftly and unexpectedly. Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in Gods good time! How tragic it was for Lot’s wife! She was so close to deliverance and salvation, but her longing for her home was too much. Jesus warns us not to worry about our things on that Day, else they become a snare to us and cause us to miss out on his deliverance. Those who are concerned about material things will be destroyed. Only those who look forward to the Lords coming will be saved. Those that accept Jesus Christ as Lord will enter his everlasting kingdom. What does Jesus mean when he says that one person will be taken and another left? God judges each person individually on how they have responded to his mercy and his gracious invitation to accept or reject his kingship - to either live as citizens or as enemies of his kingdom. The Lords warning of judgment is a cause for dismay for those who have not heeded his warning and are now unprepared, but it brings joyful hope to those who eagerly anticipate the Lords return in glory. The choice we make now - for or against Christ - will determine our future destination on the day judgment. Gods judgment and final verdict is good news for those who are ready to meet him. Their reward is God himself, the source and author of all that is good - truth, beauty, love, and everlasting life. The people in Noahs time ignored the Lords warning of impending judgment. They missed the boat, literally! Whose boat are you taking - the worlds boat to short-lived success and happiness or Gods boat to an eternal kingdom and bliss with him? Those whose hope is firmly anchored in heaven will not be disappointed when Gods judgment and verdict comes. They rejoice even now that they will see the Lord in his glory! Is your hope firmly placed in God and his kingdom? Jesus words were not intended for outsiders but to instruct us. What do we learn here about Jesus coming? 1. Jesus will come when everything is going on normally, when nobody is expecting him. 2. Jesus will come suddenly and without warning. 3. When Jesus comes it will be too late to do anything or get anything. Material possessions have no meaning at that time, and those for whom they do have meaning are destined for judgment. 4. When Jesus comes people side by side will be separated, one for salvation, the other for judgment. 5. When Jesus comes his location will be immediately obvious from far away. It will not be hidden or secret. Lord Jesus Christ, I place all my hope in you because you have redeemed the world by your death on the cross and by your victory over the grave. Help me to never lose sight of the goal of heaven that I may live each day in joyful anticipation of your return in glory. 1st Reading. 2 John 1:4-9 4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 [a]Anyone who [b]goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. Psalm 19:1-4 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:38:17 +0000
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