Planning for The Rainy Day
Last Friday, my parents and I attended one of the events that were part of the Sydney Festival called: See - The World of Animation. The event showed the process of producing animation and how technology has brought the quality of animation to such a long way. It was held in the open park area and my parents began to worry the changing weather was going to become one violent storm as the southerly wind whipped through the area.
I was too attracted to the animation that was shown and I didn't really care about the weather despite the fact that I'll be soaked if the storm really hit the park! Without an umbrella, my parents decided to force me home to dodge the rain. (A big child I am indeed!)
Many people plan for the weather ahead of them. Even with extensive weather forecasting technologies that we have today, there is no one who could precisely tell when the first drop of rain will fall in a storm. But even in this uncertainty, people would still carry an umbrella with them; or, like in our instance, would do something about it to avoid getting drenched in the violent weather if we weren't carrying an umbrella. I guess you would be stupid if you knew it was coming, and you didn't do something about it!
There are many telltale signs today such as earthquakes, famines and wars that fit the description that Jesus gave as signs before his second coming (see Matthew 24). These signs are like the southerly winds bringing in the storm clouds, telling us that it is going to rain any minute now. Just like no one could precisely tell when the first drop of rain will fall, Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:36-51 that no one would know when he will precisely return.
If I was not dragged away from the mesmerising animation, my consequence would merely be getting drenched for ignoring the telltale signs of a storm coming. But if the telltale signs of Jesus' second coming is ignored and you decide to not follow Jesus and be mesmerised in your own earthly life, the consequence is eternal punishment, far greater than just getting drenched:
I was too attracted to the animation that was shown and I didn't really care about the weather despite the fact that I'll be soaked if the storm really hit the park! Without an umbrella, my parents decided to force me home to dodge the rain. (A big child I am indeed!)
Many people plan for the weather ahead of them. Even with extensive weather forecasting technologies that we have today, there is no one who could precisely tell when the first drop of rain will fall in a storm. But even in this uncertainty, people would still carry an umbrella with them; or, like in our instance, would do something about it to avoid getting drenched in the violent weather if we weren't carrying an umbrella. I guess you would be stupid if you knew it was coming, and you didn't do something about it!
There are many telltale signs today such as earthquakes, famines and wars that fit the description that Jesus gave as signs before his second coming (see Matthew 24). These signs are like the southerly winds bringing in the storm clouds, telling us that it is going to rain any minute now. Just like no one could precisely tell when the first drop of rain will fall, Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:36-51 that no one would know when he will precisely return.
If I was not dragged away from the mesmerising animation, my consequence would merely be getting drenched for ignoring the telltale signs of a storm coming. But if the telltale signs of Jesus' second coming is ignored and you decide to not follow Jesus and be mesmerised in your own earthly life, the consequence is eternal punishment, far greater than just getting drenched:
[T]he master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:50-51 ESV)
Matthew 16:1-4
1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2He replied,[a] "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' 3and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
Jesus tell us we cannot interpret the signs of the times. Only the wicked will search for signs so that they may ask for forgiveness only when Jesus comes back. They will receive none except for the sign that already occured. So what should we do if we don't look for signs? In the parable of ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), only the virgin that has always prepare with will enter the wedding banquet.
Matthew 25:10
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Posted by
Anonymous |
12:05 am, January 20, 2007
I think Ivan doesnt mean we should search for signs here.. coz there is no point to search or to predict when is the second coming as no one knows it except the Father. but what Ivan is trying to say is that since the signs are already there, we should be prepared for Him
Posted by
Sharon |
10:26 am, January 20, 2007
I didn't say Ivan was talking about searching for signs. I was only starting my own little talk on signs.
I am also agreeing with Ivan that signs are already given, ie. but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
we shouldn't leave things in last minute!!
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:21 pm, January 20, 2007
OMG
this place is not like a blog...!!
itZ more like a christian forum =_=
Posted by
Anonymous |
2:13 am, January 23, 2007
Haha.. sorry!! I am messing it up, right? I don't know how to post comment to a blog!!
Posted by
Anonymous |
2:09 pm, January 24, 2007
There's no rule on what comments should be limited to. Thanks for your comments Jacky, you're not messing things up at all. About your comments. The passage you quoted refers to miraculous signs(Mt 16:1-4). I think Ivan is talking about something else.
Posted by
Jot.. |
10:12 pm, February 11, 2007