³¹ “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. ³² Remember Lot’s wife.³³ Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. ³⁴ I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. ³⁶ Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” - Luke 17:31-36

 Throughout the generations, people have been convinced that the Lord’s return was imminent. Many have defied Scripture and come up with dates that they were certain would mark His return.  Probably the most famous of these in recent years was Harold Camping who died in 2013. He predicted Christ’s return for May 21, 2011 and when that didn’t come, he went back and recalculated, coming up with the date of October 21, 2011 which also didn’t happen.  In March 2012, he lamented his claims as sinful, disregarding Matthew 24:36.

These types of claims from some in the Christian community become fodder for the doubters and naysayers that Christianity can’t be believed. The problem is that they don’t take a serious look at what the Bible has to say. As a result most of the world goes on much like those in the days of Noah, living their lives without God until He drops the hammer and wipes them out.  And so it was with those living in Sodom…when God wouldn’t tolerate the evil any more, He destroyed them.  Today’s reading says that it will be the same in the future when the Son of Man is revealed.

Jesus warns us in 17: 31ff that if we don’t put him first, ready to move on a moment’s notice to follow Him…we’ll be left behind.  If we don’t seek to put Christ first in our lives, we will lose the True Life (pun intended) that God desires for us.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day-ness of living…we begin to live as if  our Master will not be returning soon.  But He tells us that we need to have our lamps filled and ready to meet Him when we don’t expect Him.  We do this by daily preparation of keeping Him in the center of our lives because the Kingdom is inside us.  Through soaking up His Word, being obedient followers,  fellowshipping with believers, and serving His people, we fill our lamps with the lifesaving oil that will light the way to the Master when He returns, whether it’s during our lifetime or when He calls us home to Heaven.