Planning for the future or waiting for His return ?

Sunday April 18, 2021

Planning for the future or waiting for His return ?

“Therefore remain vigilant, for you do not know when your Lord will come.” Matthew 24.42

After listening to a sermon on the Lord's Future Return, a young man approached the pastor to ask if he should still subscribe to a supplemental retirement plan, despite the imminent return of Christ. Before answering, his pastor told him an old story. On May 18, 1780, as the War for the Independence of the United States was in full swing, General Washington noted in his diary that the sky had darkened abnormally, and that the sun appeared blood red in the sky. through the fog that fell over New England. The next day the darkness continued to thicken to the point that the birds returned to their nests and the farm animals seemed terrified. Was it a judgment from God ? Did this climate change herald the return of Christ ? In the city of Connecticut met the city council. One of the advisers suggested recessing, so they could all go home and prepare for the end of the world. It was then that one of his colleagues, a retired colonel named Abraham Davenport, rose to calm them down. He said : “I am against this suspension. Either the day of divine judgment is approaching or it is still a long way off. If it is still a long way off, there is no reason to adjourn our proceedings. If it is near, I would rather be faithful to my duty until the end. So my suggestion is that we bring candles to keep working." Candles were brought in and the session resumed. History tells us that this unnatural darkness lasting several days was caused by smoke from massive fires in Ontario, Canada. Jimmy Evans, the pastor in question, concluded by telling the young man that he should follow Davenport's example : wait for the Lord's return while performing his duty until the last day. In other words : "Expect the Lord to return at hand, but live as if you were to live a long time here on earth, for God alone knows the day and hour when this event will take place."

Source (His Word for Today)