“The scientists who mind the Doomsday Clock moved it two minutes closer to midnight on Wednesday -- symbolizing the annihilation of civilization and adding the perils of global warming for the first time.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which created the Doomsday Clock in 1947 to warn the world of the dangers of nuclear weapons, advanced the clock to five minutes until midnight. It was the first adjustment of the clock since 2002.”
Taken from Sermon News, January 22, 2007

I remember when I was growing up that the threat of nuclear war and disaster was a very real threat. I remember learning the drills in school – when a nuclear attack happens, get underground, (hopefully you have a store of food) a radio operated by batteries, and wait until the government told you it was time to come out. I remember watching the films telling us to fill the bathtub full of water so we would have something to drink, and how we were to get under our desks and curl up so as to prevent the blast from killing us. It was scary stuff.

Now with the real threat of terrorists having “nukes” the scenario is played out vividly in shows like “24” where America is attacked by nuclear devices ( I think the only reason “24” is a big hit is because the terrorists are losing to Jack Bauer). This plays upon our fears, and at the same time, we sit back and think – where, there is nothing I can do about that, so I won’t be concerned with it.

Some 2000 years ago our Lord told us that the world would come to an end one day. For the believer, this is a truth for which we live. May I remind you some of the things He said?

John 14:3-5 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" NKJV

Matt 24:36-44 "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. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. NKJV

Jesus stressed the suddenness of His return. He stressed that no man would know of that day and hour. While some dare to move the hands of a clock closer to midnight in symbolic action of when man will be destroyed, we know that it is not man that will bring this about, but God.

Are we prepared for his return? Do we look for and hasten his coming (2 Peter 3)? ARE WE READY?