Does the year 2000 sound like science fiction to you? It always did to me. I’d like to help you realize that today we are only 11 years from that strange-sounding year. Have you ever stopped to think what year you will graduate from high school? I graduated with the class of 1970. That may seem like a long time ago to some of you, but my mother graduated in 1946! If you are in the 8th grade this year, you will graduate in 1993. Those in grade 5 will graduate in 1996.
Our family had a surprise recently be cause we had never stopped to think about when our little son Joel would graduate from high school. He will be in 1St grade this year. Last May when the kindergarten class had its closing ceremony, a school near our house had a large sign that read: “WELCOME, Parents of the Graduates of the Year 2000!” We suddenly realized that our Joel would graduate with the class of the year 2000. That year began to seem closer than we ever had imagined!
However, we do not expect to attend Joel’s graduation, because the Bible says that the Lord Jesus is coming soon to take all those who trust in Him to heaven. The Bible says, “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17).
We are happy when we think of the Lord Jesus’ coming to take us to His happy home in heaven. The Bible says there will be no tears or sadness there, but much rejoicing and happiness in the presence of the Lord Jesus who loves us so much.
How about you? Does it make you happy to think of the coming of the Lord Jesus? Are you ready to meet Him? No sin will ever enter heaven, so if you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus to wash away all your sins, you will be left behind for the punishment that will fall on this world with all its sin. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).
We do not know exactly when the Lord Jesus is coming because God’s Word, the Bible, says, “Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:4242Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:42). However, the Lord Jesus Himself said, “Surely I come quickly.” Revelation 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20). This is why we do not expect to be here in the year 2000.
Call upon the Lord Jesus today, while there is still time. He will wash away your sins, making you ready for heaven. “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:88Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8).
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