Scripture:
Mark 13:28-37 (KJV)
"28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
During the summer months we frequently hear about a Hurricane Watch or a Hurricane Warning. "A great storm is coming....prepare for the storm." In the passage of scripture just read, Jesus is giving a warning of a great storm approaching. Verse 37 - the text for the message - says, "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Be sober,
Be on guard,
Keep awake!
As storms develop and move toward the United States, all eyes and ears are glued to televisions and radio weather monitors. As the dangers increase, preparations and precautions are taken. We become alert and aware. We follow the directions of the officials. It is clear from The Word of God that the whole world is headed into the storm of all storms....The Great Tribulation...The Day of The Lord. The children of God, the born-again believer is, of course, concerned about "staying ready" for the rapture of the church. Why? Because, the blood-washed, saints of God shall be delivered from that great hurricane or the tornado of God's wrath. "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:9) This does not mean that God's people are exempt from turmoil, trouble and upheaval of the stormy weather that will precede and come ahead of the great storm itself. Before the "eye of the storm" passes over a certain location there are howling gales of wind, blinding driven rains and floods of high tide and water.
To me, this is where we are - prophetically and spiritually speaking. We are on the fringe of the great tempest that is coming up in this sin benighted world. Though we rejoice in our blessed hope, which is Christ, and look forward to deliverance by the great catching up and "snatching away", the rapture, we need to "batten down" and make preparation for whatever God may allow to come our way before we hear that great shout and trumpet sound from Heaven.
Oh that people would be as concerned about making preparations and taking precautions for the storm that Jesus is warning about as they are for pending hurricanes. We have ample warning of hurricanes approaching. Surely we have all of the necessary warning(s) in God's Word of the great storm that is approaching on God's calendar of events. It is "right upon us" in this age and generation. We are already "feeling the effects" of the rapture of the church and the events that will follow. Jesus has given us the "storm watch and the "storm warnings", time and time again in His Word. Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
We can choose to ignore the warnings and suffer the consequences...or we can make the necessary preparations, take the necessary precautions and be assured of deliverance and safety!
There are all kinds of resources and information published on "How to Prepare for the Storm." God has given us His Word, The Bible, a Book of complete instruction. All we need to do is believe it, obey it - and take heed to it. We need to carry out the orders!
Here's "another twist" to the "I" of the story....
Not the EYE (E-Y-E) of the storm, but the I. (You and I).......
Are you in the midst of a storm and upheaval?
Do you not have real peace, calmness, tranquility and true rest?
Are you walking with God or running from Him?
Are you the "I" of the storm?
Do you remember the story of Jonah? He admitted that he was the "I" of the storm. In Jonah 1:12 he said, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you." Jonah was running from God, not doing what he knew he really should be doing. He was not in the place where God wanted him to be. Are you the "I" of the storm?
When the eye dies............the storm dies!
The Jonah syndrome is always........"the I at the center of the storm." Many times self and disobedience is what keeps the storm raging on. Take care of the "I" and the storm will cease!
