We probably all enjoy a good fictional story. We read it and think that something like that couldn't possibly happen in real life. Then we hear on the news, read on X and Truth Social, see someone post on Facebook proof beyond a doubt that fact is stranger than fiction.
I daily read and listen so that I can be aware of what is going on in the world in which we live. For now this is the only world we live in and it is important to know what is happening. My father would often remind us that "it was this life and one more". One more has a destination and if you have accepted Christ as your Savior, the next life is in heaven. If you haven't then the next life is in hell. It is honestly that simple, there is nothing really hard to understand.
We are all going to die but as a beleiver that is only if Jesus doesn't come back first and receive His church while you are still alive. As John responded to Jesus in Revelation 22:20 when Jesus says He coming soon and John replies that He might come quickly. Jesus said He was coming soon and it has now been over 2,000 years and He has not come back. John said he wanted it to be quickly, like right away. If you are like me you appreciate what John said and even agree in saying, even so come quickly Lord Jesus. Like right now would be soon enough.
In order to keep all of this in the right perspective, it is the Lord God who decides when Jesus will come to receive the church. Matthew 24:36-44 New Living Translation Jesus Himself explains to us that regarding when He is coming to receive (rapture) the church-
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.
38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.
39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into.
44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
I have often found myself Iike John and certainly wanting Jesus to come quickly. Yet, it is God and God alone that makes that determination. When will it be? No one and I mean no one knows, only God.
So what do you and I do? We live this wonderful life God has given us. We enjoy, as the believers we are, through our faith and trust In Jesus Christ each and every day. Live by the Word and witness to others about Jesus Christ. There will be many good days but there can and will be some that will test us. There are a myriad of things that can have an affect on our lives and cause issues. Relationships, family, work, finances, health and the list goes on.
There is no doubt about it that life is stranger than fiction. We couldn't begin to write a story that would be any more real than the one God made in sending His Son as a baby to die on a cross as an adult. Then to rise from the grave defeating death, as we just celebrated this past Sunday.
I was preaching on Resurrction Sunday and I alluded to the fact that we should not become distracted by what goes on around us. It was that day about celebrating Jesus resurrection and that was the only thing that mattered. Regardless of any distraction which there might have been. His resurrection is fact and truer than any man made acknowledgement to something man made.
So when it is all said and done it is very easy to see that truth is stranger fiction. Truth is always the way to go.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
