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| Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil |
Easter, as celebrated by Christians the world over, marks the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday. According to biblical accounts, after he was resurrected from the dead, Jesus ate, talked and met with his disciples. He was also seen by about 500 others during the 40-days before he ascended into heaven. But the story doesn't end there. The Bible foretells a second coming of Christ to earth at a future yet undetermined date. The Easter observance serves to bring this prediction into even sharper focus at this time of the year.
Over the years, many people have claimed to know the exact date of Christ's return only to look foolish when their predictions proved wrong. This is not surprising since even Jesus himself doesn't know the exact date of his return, only God knows. Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt 24:36-37). Nevertheless, there are still some people who try to trump the Creator by claiming to know the date of Christ's return.
A more recent and perhaps the most widely publicized example is Christian radio broadcaster, Harold Camping. After suffering a minor stroke, Camping later apologized for his heresy. Likewise, doomsday predictors have made predictions through the years about when the world would come to an end, again only to be proven wrong. Whether you believe that the world will end or in Christ's return is irrelevant. Ultimately, what happens and when it happens rests solely with God, notwithstanding your belief in him or lack thereof. Like in Fantasy Football , there will be winners and losers when Jesus returns. But until then, you get to decide on which team you will end up.
The Resurrection Will Not Wait*
You won't be able to sit at home, brothers and sisters. You won't be able to tune in to CNN, NBC, BBC or CBS. You won't be able to make a run to the store real quick, or finish baking a cake for the Sunday school picnic because the Resurrection will not wait.
Let me say that again in case you missed it, "THE RESURRECTION WILL NOT WAIT!" The Resurrection will not wait for you to go to the drive-thru at McDonald's for a breakfast sandwich to go. There will be no delay until Shaq and Kobe win another championship.
The Resurrection will not make its worldwide comeback on Broadway or bring in the New Millennium at Paris' Folies Bergere. The Resurrection will not be shown on OWN.
Nor will there be no Lifetime movie starring Matt Damon or Kevin Hart as Jesus. The Resurrection will not be rebroadcast on cable in three parts. Or "On Demand," tivoed, or DVR'd for viewing at a later date because the Resurrection will not wait.
When the Resurrection comes, you will not be able to sign up for a crash course in Bible. The fact that you watched "The Passion of the Christ" on DVD won't count as righteous living. Serving on the church Usher Board, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School is your reasonable service, but won't earn you bonus points for the trip home when the Resurrection comes.
When the Resurrection comes, it won't be enough to have that old time religion. You must be born-again. The fact that you've belonged to the same church for umpteen years won't matter. You must be born-again. What part of "all have sinned" don't you understand? You must be born again when the Resurrection comes.
Make no mistake, the Resurrection is coming. No man knows the hour, day or year when Jesus will appear. So keep your lamp burning bright 'cause it could be tonight. Keep watch at all times and pray 'cause it could be today. Think you've got plenty of time? Think again or you'll be left behind when the Resurrection comes.
Make no mistake, Jesus is coming back. With the voice of the archangel and trump of God, Jesus will call the faithful up from their graves. Next, the redeemed who remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the sky. Everyone singing worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, riches, wisdom and might; honor, glory and blessings.
Every eye will see it, everywhere. Every eye everywhere will see Jesus when the Resurrection comes. When the Resurrection comes, it will not wait, will NOT wait for you to get ready. When the Resurrection comes, it will be too late.
*Copyright Carolyn K. Erwin
