No Time for Snoozing
By Jonathan C. Brentner
Caleb could scarcely believe his eyes; the Egyptian army was advancing slowly but surely toward the city. From his vantage point high on the wall, he identified the nation’s flag in the distant horizon just as the sun rose in the sky. They would surely attack quite soon!
Several other watchmen, however, refused to believe Caleb’s warning or even look in the direction of the advancing army. “The warning message we received months ago from the Egyptians was written as an allegory,” they said. “It was all symbolism to encourage others, the Egyptians are not here.”
Another skeptical watchman proclaimed, “No, no, no, I read their message of warning and it tells of a previous attack. It’s not a warning for us; it is history with absolutely no relevance for us today!” With that he turned away and refused to look as he dismissed the warning as mere nonsense.
Caleb, along with the other watchmen who also recognized the danger, tried to war still other watchmen of the danger. But they found them busy leading workshops devoted to finding more joy in city life. “Yes, we believe the warning message that the Egyptians sent to us,” the replied, “but it’s too soon for them to come. We must concentrate on current matters, not issues of the distant future which will take care of themselves when the time comes.” So they also dismissed Caleb’s warnings and rejoined their workshops geared to the needs of that day.
As the enemy army drew closer, the watchmen warned the people. Most refused to recognize the danger, but those who did see the threat readied their swords to confront the invading army.
Today, many see numerous signs of the approaching day of the Lord, the time that the Lord warned his church about in the book of Revelation (chapters 6-16). They recognize its rapid approach and seek to warn others, but just as in the above story, so few believe their warnings.
Many of those who should also be alerting the saints to the nearness of Jesus’ appearing ignore the signs and chose rather to concentrate solely upon the needs of this life. They concentrate on the joy we can have now from our walk with the Lord while making fleeting references to eternal life that only a few catch or heed.
Many believers hear their the loud ringing of their alarm clocks, but repeatedly hit the snooze button remaining in their slumber and totally unaware that their current life in this world could end in the very near future.
Believe me, I know how easy it is to hit that snooze button and pretend as though my life will continue on the way it is for the indefinite future. I have to frequently remind myself that such is not the case. The time of Jesus’ appearing is rapidly approaching when everything will change for everyone on earth.
We cannot know the day our Lord will return, of course, but we can recognize the season and, this is it. The convergence of signs pointing to the coming tribulation overwhelms those willing to look, but so few do.
Besides all the signs from Scripture pointing to the nearness of the tribulation, I recently read that last year (2018) worldwide abortionists slaughtered forty-two million innocent children. Do you really believe the Lord will allow such reckless bloodshed, murder, and unimaginable horror to continue much longer? I do not!
Those in the world have no wall to protect them against the terror that is about to suddenly descend upon them without warning. Only a small number of them will survive the wrath of God during the seven year tribulation that is coming.
As for believers, this is no time for snoozing; it’s time to wake up. It’s time to tell other believers to look up and warn those who do not love our Jesus and His Word that their remaining time in this world system is exceedingly short. Their opportunity to turn to the Savior is rapidly evaporating.
We will likely look like fools to the world and to some believers as well. Those dear to us will be totally repulsed by what we believe about Jesus and His return for us. I know.
Still, this is not a time to crawl back into our beds and sleep; it’s no time for snoozing.