Coming Attraction

As you drive along the highway, you may see signs that tell you there is an attraction in the area. It could be a historic site, a museum or park or some local event. Such attractions can turn into a distraction. It means taking the next exit and keeping your eye on the signs pointing you in the right direction. When leaving the main road, it means additional time before reaching your final destination. It also means the chance of getting lost if you don't have a GPS or map to guide you back to the highway.

Various sources of entertainment will show a coming attraction knowing how audiences get easily bored and want something new. The entertainment industry wants more money so they feed a teaser or clip to keep the consumer coming back for more.

For the believer there is only One coming attraction - the soon return of Christ. I Thessalonians 4:16 says, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." (NIV). Revelations 1:7 tells us every eye shall behold Him! Now that's an awesome attraction!

Beloved our cry should be maranatha or Lord come quickly! We have this comfort that He's coming back to take us home. It can happen at any time when we are at work or at home. This should not be a fearful thing but Paul tells us we should comfort ourselves with the promise of His return (I Thessalonians 4:18). Just to think some of us may not die in this life but in a twinkling of an eye be transformed and be caught up in the clouds with all the saints!

As I mature in Him and grow older the longing for heaven is increasing - something I believe the Lord has put in every believer's heart. He reminds us this is not our home but there awaits a place where in His presence all is whole and restored. A place where no disease or war or famine will exist. A place where greed and crime will never rob or destroy the good things. Where the devil is banished forever and only the Lamb of God walks among His people. Forever. Eternally.

Take a moment when you are outside. Look up at the open sky and peer past the clouds. Softly whisper the word, "Maranatha!"

I could only imagine one day God looking down at His people in response, "I'm coming," and slowly stands to His feet, "Son, it's time."