Once in…Ever!

Have you ever bet on a football game? A horse race? How do the bookmakers determine what to pay if you win? Part is history, part is potential, other competitors, a lot of subjectivity. And they still are wrong much of the time. Consider the recent Denver Broncos – Dallas Cowboys game (Nov. 7, 2021). Going into the game, the Broncos had a mediocre record at best (4-4) and had beaten mostly weaker teams. While Dallas went into the game with a 6-1 record. Not many thought the Broncos could win in Dallas’ home stadium. But they did. Surprise, disbelief, stunned, are some of the words thrown around in the media and locker room chatter.

In life it’s said the only sure things are death and taxes. But what about in death? Is there any sure thing? And how do I hedge my bet to improve my odds? There is one event on the horizon that has never happened before. So current odds-making strategies have no precedent. But as sure as we will all die someday, this event will happen and the same words of incredulity—surprise, disbelief, stunned—will be on many lips.

Whether you believe that Jesus Christ is God,

you have to admit He is an historic figure. In fact, much of His recorded words are the basis, at least at one time, of many of our laws. For those of us who do believe Jesus is God, His words take on additional weight and meaning because He cannot lie (Tit. 1:2). For example, He said, “…I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (John 14, 2,3). Just like the worldwide flood that covered the earth and killed all but eight people in Noah’s day had never happened before, Jesus’ coming back for His church hasn’t either. But Peter addresses this too, “…in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation’” (2 Pet. 3:3,4). Obviously they didn’t know their own history (the flood).

These mockers are with us today. Listen to Paul’s warning to Timothy, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

If that doesn’t describe our current situation,

I don’t know what it’ll take. Listen to Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” (Matt. 16:2,3). (Bet you didn’t know the saying, “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight” was taken from the Bible.) Aren’t we a lot like Jesus’ audience in not recognizing the rapidity with which we are in a downward spiral, spawned and impacted by poor leadership, failing morals, and a general disregard for right and wrong?

Jesus WILL return. Not setting any timetable, that’s strictly up to God, who planned the calendar from before the beginning of time. There won’t be any 30-day notice or second chances once the trumpet blows (1 Thess. 4:16,17). The Bible says, “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). My hope for everyone reading this is that you will be ready.

If you’re ready to meet God face to face,

praise Him. You probably know someone who isn’t. Time is short. Get off the bench and into the game. If you’re not ready to meet Him or think that you’ve “been good enough” your future is bleak. Take a few minutes and visit our “Steps to Salvation” page. You’ll get a good understanding of what God thinks of you and a roadmap to move your odds from zero to 100% of eternity with Jesus in heaven. Hope to see you there.