Looking Forward to the End
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:2,4
The title of this devotion is the title of a popular song by the band R.E.M. It is quite a bold statement to make. That the world is ending, and I feel fine about it. I remember listening to another band play the same song minutes after the ball dropped on January 1st, 2000. If you are of a certain age, Y2K is unforgettable. There was worldwide panic that our whole system was going to fail. People prepared for apocalyptic fallout. But not much happened. People continue to predict the end of the world. But the world continues to spin.
We could get lulled into thinking that it won’t end, but the world will end, and it could at any moment. Jesus is coming back. Jesus tells us, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) No one knows when it will end. Jesus tells us to watch and be ready, for His return will be like a thief who comes in the night.
Yet, when He returns, we will be fine. More than fine! We will be taken to be with Him forever. We shouldn’t act like this world isn’t going to end, because we know it will. We are fine with it ending because we know it means a beginning to everlasting joy and comfort. The world fears the end. In Christ we don’t have to. The end of the world means the end of sin, sadness, and pain. The end of the world for the believer means the beginning of eternal joys, happiness, and salvation. Come quickly dear Lord Jesus!
O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation.
Then hear us when we cry to Thee;
Come, mighty Judge, and make us free
From every evil! Amen.
The Lutheran Hymnal 611:7