|
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).
Back in the year 999, Christians in Europe had really lost the truth of the Lord’s coming for them at any moment, and had become very superstitious. Somehow many of them had gotten the idea that the year 1000 A.D. would be the Lord’s “judgment day,” and that Christ would appear to judge the world at that time. This idea was supported in their minds by the fact that Christians were under attack at that time from many different groups, including the Muslims, Vikings, and others who opposed Christianity.
Because of this widespread belief, many did not bother to plant their crops that year, or to put grain and other food supplies away for the winter. They waited anxiously as December 31, 999 drew to a close, only to find that the sun rose on January 1, 1000 A.D., just as it always had done. Then, as you may imagine, there had to be a wild scramble to put everything back into proper order so that life could go on.
God did not intend for you and me to live like that. As we saw yesterday, we are to continue our work for the Lord and also fulfil our everyday responsibilities while we are in this world, yet at the same time to expect the Lord to come for us at any moment. We may see from events around us that the Lord’s coming for us is near, but we cannot set a date.
|
