Creator, Father, King #311

The day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

IN THE WEE MORNING hours of September 1, 1861, William Scott drifted off to sleep. This wouldn’t have been a problem . . . except Scott was a Union Army private during the Civil War, and he fell asleep during sentry duty at Camp Lyon, which guarded a key bridge linking Virginia to Washington, DC.

OOPS!

Camp Lyon’s commanding officer ordered that Scott be executed by firing squad. However, Scott’s regiment rallied to his cause, signing a petition for clemency. The appeal reached President Abraham Lincoln, who granted the pardon. “The Sleeping Sentinel,” as Scott came to be known, never fell asleep at his post again!

Christians are also sentinels, so to speak. We are called to watch for the return of our Savior. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:42, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”

What’s It Mean?

One day, Christ will return in glorious power to crush all evil, redeem his chosen people, and establish his eternal Kingdom. But as today’s verse says, the timing of his return remains a mystery.

When Jesus does come back, he will receive a contrasting reaction: believers will bask in the glory of their much-anticipated Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:10), while unbelievers will come to the sudden, horrific realization that the Savior they rejected their whole life has now become their Judge (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

For believers, the mystery surrounding the timing of Jesus’ return is a call to action. Don’t be idle when the Master is away. (See the “Parable of the Talents” in Matthew 25:14-30, ESV.) As Christ’s ambassadors, we must advance his Kingdom, using our God-given talents so that when he returns, we receive his commendation: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

But for unbelievers, the suddenness of Jesus’ return will feel shockingly different. On that day, all humanity will be brought before God’s throne for final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). The wicked will be sentenced to eternal condemnation in hell, while the righteous will be ushered into God’s heavenly presence. There will be no chance for divine clemency at that time.

Don’t wait! Don’t fall asleep at the sentry post of life! As 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Trust in Christ today!

Now What?

Read the following Bible passages about Jesus’ second coming: Matthew 24:27-51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

Did You Know?

Seven months after falling asleep at his post, Scott died leading a charge at Lee’s Mill (Virginia).