Catastrophic occurrences usually happen very quickly. People are seemingly never prepared for the worst!
No measure can apply to the things that will most certainly begin to happen in the near future. The provable truth of this statement is borne out by what Jesus Christ said: “‘For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be'” (Matthew 24:21).
Jesus also describes the state of mind of the people who will face this incomparable cataclysm: “‘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'” (Matthew 24:38-39).
Noah was the exception in his day, and his actions are recounted for us: “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).
We, the elect of God, have been warned, and that means we have been made aware in advance of actual or potential harm, danger, or evil! Jesus emphasized this when He said: “‘See, I have told you beforehand'” (Matthew 24:25).
Along with preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, true Christians have anticipated the end of the age that prophecies graphically reveal. In point of fact, the Church is strictly warned that as we see the Day approaching, we are to lift our voices by strong, stirring argument, admonition, advice, and appeal–that is, to exhort one another (compare Hebrews 10:19-25)!
This is our time to heed, to prepare, to be ready with all fervency–for what is coming will come, and when it does take place, it will happen all too suddenly!
