Prepared But Not Panicked

Luke 21:20-27

I am amazed as I see reports of people preparing for hurricanes or snow storms. Growing up in the mountains, fifty miles from a shopping center, we knew that there would be severe snow storms from time to time and made sure we were prepared. It was too late when it started snowing.

Stories about the fishermen along the coasts in New England talk of pulling out covers for their windows and putting them on and getting firewood in when the weather got bad. Today, it seems that when a storm is announced, everyone has to run to the home canter for plywood to cover their windows and generators and food to last a couple of days. As a result, there are always shortages and severe damage. Why don’t they simply save the stuff for the next time? They happen every year or two, and the space required is pretty small.

At the same time, it does not make sense to just leave the plywood over the windows or just use the generator and emergency fuel and food when there are no storms. If we nailed plywood over the windows every time the weather reported the possibility of a storm, we would exhaust ourselves putting it up and taking it down. Instead, the we learn to wait until certain indicators are in place, which still leave time to act but do not cause us to over react. Jesus told us what to watch for to know when to take action, and what action to take.

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-22)

Over the centuries hundreds of groups have called on their people to leave the cities and set up a place where they were to await the Lord’s return. Notice that Jesus said they were not to flee until they saw Jerusalem under attack. At that point the people of Judea, what we know as Israel are to flee. It is not a command for people around the world, it is specifically for those in Israel.

We are to fall for such claims, because it will not happen until after the Anti-Christ is revealed. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (II Thessalonians 2:3-4)

The evidence of the need for action will be clearly visible. Jeremiah speaks of it as the time of Jacob’s trouble in Jeremiah 30:7. “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Daniel states that the period is a judgment on Israel as the final act of the period described in Daniel 9:24-27. The tribulation is that final week. It will be a horrible disaster world wide, but the center will be Israel.

“But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:23-24)

It will involve far more than just a military attacks, and human caused shortages, even including events in space and the collapse of entire nations. Chapters 4-20 of Revelation describe some of the events that will occur during the period.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26)

Revelation 6:12-17 describes the panic as things rage so completely out of control. “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

When these things begin to happen, it is just a little while, just seven years until Christ comes back as the Great king that Israel looked for at the time of his first coming. They only saw the top of the hill in the distance and misjudged time and distance between where they were and what God was promising. Sadly many Christians have made a similar misjudgment, putting their desires ahead of what God said would happen. Those misjudgments do not negate what God has promised. At the proper time, Christ will come.

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:27-28)

When we see these things start to happen, we know that the time is getting close, but we still don’t know exactly when. Acts 1:7 says, “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Anyone claiming to know is a false teacher. Avoid them. Don’t cover the windows until you are sure the storm is coming.