By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Luke 21:34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." - NIV
Jesus was concluding the teaching on the signs of the end. He had mentioned many things that would characterize the end. These include increase in deception, false christs, wars and revolutions, earthquakes, pestilences, famines, fearful signs in the heavens, increase of evil, moral degeneration, persecutions among others. Anyone following world events can testify that these are present day realities around the world. It means we are in those last days.
In the scripture above, Jesus warned His disciples (including us) about the things that could make them miss out on the day of His return. These are; dissipation/carousing (too much fun, wasteful spending for pleasure), drunkenness (out of alcohol or improper behaviour out of excitement or anger over things) and the cares of life (fear or nervousness out of what might happen). These things dull one’s sensitivity, alertness and readiness to the coming of the Lord. That’s why Jesus warned us to be careful not to let them weigh our hearts down, or else the day of the Lord will catch us unexpectedly.
Friends, Jesus is coming soon. Every sign is pointing to it. As we do what is required of us by the demands of life, let’s look beyond to the imminent return of Christ. Be alert, do not allow fear, pleasure, anxieties of life weigh you down and dull your sensitivity to the times we are in. Watch the signs and expectantly look up for His coming. It will be well in the Lord.
Luke 12:40,46 "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."… The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers."
Shalom children of God.