How do birds of prey know where the dead body is? They just know instinctively, and so you will know when I appear.
Then immediately this is what will take place: ‘The sun will be darkened and the moon give no light. The stars will fall from the sky and all the cosmic powers will be shaken.’ Then the sign announcing the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn over him. And they will see the Son of Man appearing in the clouds of heaven, revealed with mighty power, great splendor, and glory. And he will send his messengers with the loud blast of the trumpet, and with a great voice they will gather his beloved chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other!
Matthew 24:28-31
We are told by Jesus what it will be like when He comes. We expect great fireworks and he speaks of trumpets and clouds and a great voice and cosmic events.
Yet, he also says we will know instinctively like how a hawk knows where a dead body is. What!?!
That is not the same as the great fanfare that is described. Instinctively knowing requires something much deeper than the sensory experience that Jesus described that appears overhead.
When Jesus came the first time is what very much a coming that the world was not expecting. The expectation of God's arrival in our presence was not a child born in a manger.
The world expected cosmic events and trumpets. Well. That also happened. But the world was not blessed with the the ability to hear and see. Only a few humble servants witnessed the cosmic events. Apparently, the majority of the world either missed those events or simply weren't paying attention.
Don't be that part of the world waiting for the fireworks to appear. Instead, know that your instincts are the key to understanding. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Stop and listen. You will know just as today, if you stop and listen, you will hear and your instincts will kick in and peace will reign in your life.
Your heart knows a loving God and the celebration of the gift of God's son who came and then died for our sins. This story was foretold thousands of years before it happened. Then it happened and here we are thousands of years later. When we stop to think through this reality that encompasses every human in this world and the fact that no one seems to appreciate the life changing aspect of living this truth, we must change how we conduct ourselves right now.
Oh! And point your eyes to the heavens and appreciate the sky, the clouds, the sunrises and the sunsets and praise God for the glorious cosmic events that paint beauty above our heads.
What we see every day when we stop, listen and see the heavens alive is the fact that Jesus is here. Now.
What we wait for in Jesus' return is already in our presence. Maybe there is more to come. Yet we can enjoy the here and now in ways the world has never understood as the fireworks haven't started.
The show didn't start the way it was expected 2000 years ago. The coming of Jesus may not meet the expectations of the world and it's Biblical scholars this next time around. They missed it then and will probably miss it again.
God's work in our midst is not a fireworks show. He doesn't perform such theatrics for the world. He is found in the silence of our day. He always has been found when man stops living the craziness of our world to hear God and see Him and His beautiful works. He doesn't change. Nothings changes - Except our expectations.
Change your expectations and enjoy a Jesus that walks with you, paints the sky and performs glorious cosmic events every day. Look up and speak to your God who desperately desires your attention and your ear.
God has much to say and in His words provide a peace and a love that is beyond our ability to describe. Words can't capture what awaits us if we stop to hear and see. It's not a future thing. It's a right now thing.
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