Word@Work Luke267 - Luke 17:33-37
Published: Mon, 01/10/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
PARTED AND TAKEN
Luke 17:33-37 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." (NIV)
In the same way that a weak and dying animal attracts carrion birds, Jesus said that those who choose to reject Him (however religious they may be) will be powerless to resist God's judgement at the Second Coming. Outwardly a couple may seem nice enough, but if one is in Christ and the other is not, then one will be taken and the other left. The same will apply to two people at work when Jesus Christ comes again. His return will not be just an interesting observation for those who believe, but will actively involve every single person who has ever lived; as those who have resisted Christ and His salvation are marked out for judgement.
In the lifetime of Jesus' hearers, the horror of this judgement was demonstrated on a small scale when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed by Roman forces under General Titus in AD70. There was no longer any physical sanctuary for protection - all those who sought it were destroyed with it. But those whose hope was in Christ were content to be displaced from their homes and everything that was valuable to them: refugees to the world but safe in the presence of their Saviour. That lifestyle flexibility should be normal for those who bow to Jesus Christ as their King. The world is not their home, and they are prepared to camp wherever the Lord leads them until they see Him face to face.
Believers in Jesus Christ need to take these verses seriously and get ready to move from earth to heaven. We need to loosen the shackles which bind us to our worldly lifestyle so that we are ready for the Lord when He comes. Until that time, we can take spiritual advantage of every change which disturbs our habits of life. These events will teach us not to trust in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17), our skill-base, social network, employment or marriage prospects. Such circumstances will be sanctified as we let them teach us to prepare for heaven, and let the Lord provide for us along the way. Psalm 37:25 says, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." Those who trust in the Lord like that demonstrate that they already possess eternal life. So let's live out what we believe; and pray that some of those who watch us will repent of their rebellion against Christ and be saved.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that we do not have this world as our ultimate destiny, but that You have chosen Your eternal presence as the dwelling place of Your people for ever. But I am sad to be reminded that those who despise Jesus Christ only have judgement ahead. Please help me to cherish the blessings of being in Christ but also to display Your love in my life and explain the gospel so that my friends and family might repent and receive Your grace and be saved. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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In the same way that a weak and dying animal attracts carrion birds, Jesus said that those who choose to reject Him (however religious they may be) will be powerless to resist God's judgement at the Second Coming. Outwardly a couple may seem nice enough, but if one is in Christ and the other is not, then one will be taken and the other left. The same will apply to two people at work when Jesus Christ comes again. His return will not be just an interesting observation for those who believe, but will actively involve every single person who has ever lived; as those who have resisted Christ and His salvation are marked out for judgement.
In the lifetime of Jesus' hearers, the horror of this judgement was demonstrated on a small scale when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed by Roman forces under General Titus in AD70. There was no longer any physical sanctuary for protection - all those who sought it were destroyed with it. But those whose hope was in Christ were content to be displaced from their homes and everything that was valuable to them: refugees to the world but safe in the presence of their Saviour. That lifestyle flexibility should be normal for those who bow to Jesus Christ as their King. The world is not their home, and they are prepared to camp wherever the Lord leads them until they see Him face to face.
Believers in Jesus Christ need to take these verses seriously and get ready to move from earth to heaven. We need to loosen the shackles which bind us to our worldly lifestyle so that we are ready for the Lord when He comes. Until that time, we can take spiritual advantage of every change which disturbs our habits of life. These events will teach us not to trust in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17), our skill-base, social network, employment or marriage prospects. Such circumstances will be sanctified as we let them teach us to prepare for heaven, and let the Lord provide for us along the way. Psalm 37:25 says, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." Those who trust in the Lord like that demonstrate that they already possess eternal life. So let's live out what we believe; and pray that some of those who watch us will repent of their rebellion against Christ and be saved.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that we do not have this world as our ultimate destiny, but that You have chosen Your eternal presence as the dwelling place of Your people for ever. But I am sad to be reminded that those who despise Jesus Christ only have judgement ahead. Please help me to cherish the blessings of being in Christ but also to display Your love in my life and explain the gospel so that my friends and family might repent and receive Your grace and be saved. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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