Watch for the Lord

Open my heart, Lord, to the message You want to convey to me.


"Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming ... be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:40 - 44)


As we read about our Lord's return, it's helpful to understand that there are two aspects to the Second Coming of Christ. First is the Rapture: second, the revelation. The Rapture is when Jesus Christ comes for His bride the church. The revelation is when Jesus comes with His bride.


What a day that will be when our Lord breaks through the blue in all of His majesty, coming in power and glory with His church to put an end to the Great Tribulation and usher in the Millennial reign! All will see His splendor revealed at this glorious appearing.


But the Rapture is much different. It takes place suddenly, unexpectedly. The moment comes and is gone quickly and without warning, like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). And no one can predict when it will happen. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). So if anyone tries to set a date for Christ's return, they're acting as if they are smarter than an angel!


The church is going to be raptured and the Great Tribulation will begin - at some unremarkable hour on some ordinary day, just as it was in Noah's day, when people going about their daily routine of life were suddenly overcome by flood waters and swept away by the judgment of God (Matthew 24:38).


We know that the great day of God's wrath is coming upon this earth. But it wasn't the Tribulation Jesus said we were to watch for. We're not waiting for any signs to be fulfilled - Jesus may come at any moment! We're to be looking and longing for the return of our dear Savior. He could even come to call His bride away on an ordinary day like today.


~Adrian Rogers~