On That Day

I was reading in Luke chapter 17 this morning, and I noticed something rather interesting, at least it was for me.  I have read and re-read this chapter several times, trying to figure out some of the things Jesus was talking about.  Starting in verse 22, Jesus is beginning to talk to the disciples about the end of days, when Jesus would come back.  I always find this topic very compelling.  I think everyone should, because it concerns all of us.

In verse 24, He says, "For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day."  Everyone will see Him when He comes back.  In verses 26-27, He says, "And as it was in the days of Noe (Noah), so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all."  Noah had warned the people over and over again, trying to get them to understand that this devastating event was going to happen soon, but no one would believe.  They thought he was drunk, or crazy.  They went about their everyday lives, eating and drinking, getting married.  It was said that every evil thing a man could think of, was being done .  They believed they had all the time in the world..  Noah knew better.  He had heard God, and believed.  Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

In verses 28-30, Jesus says, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."  If you'll remember, Sodom and Gomorrah was overrun by homosexuals and perverts of every kind.  This verse says, as in the days of Noah, so it was in the days of Lot.  They were going about their everyday business, taking care of their lusts, and all their stuff.  In verse 31, Jesus says, "In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back."  He says that when He comes back, you won't have time to worry about all your stuff.  None of it will matter anymore. 

The next verse says it all, I believe.  Verse 32 says, "Remember Lot's wife."  Period.  Lot's wife was told to leave Sodom behind, and not look back.  She missed her stuff, and her life back in Sodom, and turned around for one last look.  It was the last thing she would ever do.  She was turned into a pillar of salt.  Why does Jesus mention her right here?  I believe part of the reason is, you have to make a choice between your way, or His way.  There are dire consequences if you make the wrong choice.  Lot's wife made the wrong choice, and paid for it with her life.  In the same way, if you don't choose Him, you will spiritually pay for it with your eternal life.  Jesus says in the next verse, "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve (or, save) it." 

Lastly, in the two descriptions of what the day of the Son of man will be like, the people are doing all sorts of everyday, mundane things.  But, two things they are not doing, are, watching and praying.  They are taking care of all their physical and fleshly needs, but they are ignoring their spiritual needs.  We are told to always watch and pray.  We don't know when this 'day of the Son of man' will take place, so we should ALWAYS be watching FOR Him, and praying TO Him.  And, as in Noah's case, we need to be telling others to get ready for that day.  They will think we're crazy.  They'll roll their eyes, and maybe even laugh, but we still need to tell them.  We have found grace in the eyes of the LORD, so let us show grace, and mercy, to those in need.  There is a lost and dying world that needs to hear that there is a God in Heaven that loves them. 

Revelation 22:12-14 says, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.