Earlier today, there was an earthquake close enough to be felt in our county. I actually felt it but did not realize that it was an earthquake I was feeling. We live near train tracks and there are often trains that shake our home as they pass by. I thought that was what was happening this morning when I felt the shaking. It wasn’t until one of my friends messaged and asked if I felt it that I realized what had occurred. A quick internet search revealed that it had indeed been an earthquake.
Because I was so used to having our home rattled by passing trains, I didn’t realize it was an earthquake until after the fact. I didn’t realize what had happened until after it had passed. I’ve thought about this all day, my friend. I missed an earth-shaking event because I didn’t realize what was going on. I was so used to the shaking, it seemed normal to me. However, I am certainly not the first person to miss an earth-shaking event because I thought everything was normal.
When Jesus came the first time, a lot of people missed out on the earth-shaking event. They went on with business as usual and missed out on the greatest thing that had ever happened on this earth. They missed out on the coming of the Messiah, the very Son of God because they were thinking that everything was happening as it normally did. They were oblivious to the earth-shaking news that the Messiah had come to pay the price for our sins.
God stepped out of heaven and took on mortal flesh and people kept going on about their business as usual. The Son of God was nailed to a cross and three days later, the earth shook when the stone was rolled away to reveal an empty tomb. And again, so many people missed it, not even realizing what was happening. So many people missed Him the first time He came. How easy it is to miss out on an earth-shaking event because we brush it off as “the usual shaking”!
Dear heart, I would be remiss if I failed to warn you that there is another earth-shaking event coming soon. Jesus is coming again, and I don’t want you to miss it. I believe that sooner than we think, He is going to call His children home to be with Him. I believe that when that day comes, people will be going about their business as usual, and so many people will miss the sound of the trumpet calling His followers home. I don’t want you to be one of them!
Matthew 24 talks about this very thing and explains how it will be business as usual when that moment comes. We are cautioned to be alert and stay watchful as we do not know the exact moment when it will occur. Beloved, there is only one way to heaven and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. Only those who have chosen to follow Him will hear that trumpet sound on that fateful day. Only those who have acknowledged the fact that they are a sinner and sought His forgiveness will hear His call.
Dear heart, all of us were born sinners in need of His salvation (Rom. 3:23). We deserve death but for those who come to Jesus, repentance and salvation are available (Rom. 6:23; 10:9,13). All that is required is that you acknowledge your sins, believe in Jesus Christ asking Him to forgive your sins, and confess Him as Lord. This is the only way to heaven, my friend; this is the only way to make certain you will hear when He calls His followers home.
I missed this morning’s earth-shaking event because I dismissed it as something normal, but even that moment was a sign pointing to His eminent return. Matthew 24 speaks of the increase of “birth pains” leading up to His return and specifically mentions earthquakes as one of those pains. A lot of people pass it off as “normal” and refuse to see it for what it is. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to look around and see how dark this world is growing by the day.
My friend, this morning’s shaking has reminded me that He is coming soon and that I must do my part to sound the alarm. Whether or not you listen is up to you; my job is to warn you. Perhaps you think me foolish, however, I must speak truth, nonetheless. I believe this morning’s earthquake was just another reminder of what I already know to be true. Jesus is going to be calling His followers home soon. Will you be going with Him when that trumpet sounds?
See also: Matthew 24; Luke 17; 1 Thess. 4:16-18
Katrina Douglas
