Over the past few weeks, these are all too-familiar captions, which we look for, not just on a daily basis, but also updated several times a day. Though the occurrence of this widespread disease is at a global scale, it should not surprise us as Christians. Jesus Christ had prophesied in Luke 21:8-11,
“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”
Jesus Christ warns us that before His return, there will be widespread pestilence. He wants us to know that when we see these signs, we must be aware that His return is near. Jesus Christ gives this parable as an analogy in Luke 21:29-31,
“Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”
Jesus Christ further exhorts us to be on the watch and pray in Luke 21:34-36,
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
When we see the end-times, are we aware that the return of Jesus Christ is near? Or, are we living like the world, in carousing, drunkenness and anxieties of life? Pestilence is just but one of the signs of His return. His coming will be sudden and will catch many by surprise, just as the Coronavirus, designated 2019-nCoV virus did. The virus was not contained when it first broke out. It has spread from Wuhan capital of Hubei to the provinces of China and now to the world. Are we ready to stand before the Son of Man? Let us, as his Redeemed, know the times in which we are living. The signs are clear, and we know Jesus Christ’s return is near. How should we live our lives knowing that Jesus Christ’s return is near? Jesus warns us not be so dull in our senses as one who is drunk and not to be weighed down by the anxieties of life. We should not be living in oblivion to the signs of His coming nor be so occupied with our earthly livelihood that we ignore or slacken in our preparedness for Jesus Christ’s return.
The question for us is—can we all stand before the Son of Man? Every one of us will have to stand before the judgement seat of God and give an account of how we have lived our life. The most dreadful is if we stand before the Holy God and be found guilty of our sins. The punishment for sin is hell, a place of torment and suffering, a place that will last for all eternity. May I urge you to come and believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, so that simply by that grace, you can stand righteous before God and receive eternal life and enjoy the eternal blessings and life with God. For the believers, likewise, God will require from us an account of how we have lived our Christian life. May we be found faithful to receive God’s crown of eternal life as a reward. May we be always ready and prepared for His return. As we see the signs happening before us, let us take stock of our life. Let us be resolutely purposeful in our heart to live godly life. Let us not live for self and for the world. Let us not be blinded to the fact that Jesus Christ will soon return.
When Jesus Christ returns, the gospel work will end. There will not be any second chance for those who are outside the kingdom of God. Let us seize every opportunity to share the gospel with our family, relatives and friends. These are some practical ways where we can reach out to our loved ones with the gospel. First, start by praying for them. Second, maintain a close relationship. Building relationships takes time and effort. Some sacrifice may be required on your leisure but let us make every effort to keep in contact with your loved ones. Third, seize every opportunity to invite them to church especially during special events like Good Friday, Easter Sunday, gospel rallies, Christmas and baptism Sundays. You could also invite them to join us for our church camp this year at Batam island. Last, be exemplary in your life and conduct. Be a good brother or sister, husband or wife, son or daughter, son in-law or daughter in-law, student or worker. Be skilful and knowledgeable in your work and studies. Seize opportunities to be kind and helpful to your colleagues, friends and family. Then, when opportunities arise, you can then share the gospel and invite them to church. You will improve your chances of their coming to know our Lord Jesus Christ through your conduct and testimony.
Let us be working and always ready for Jesus Christ’s soon return when we see the signs of His coming appearing before us.