I was listening to Sinbreed (great new band) this morning and the wisdom in these lyrics really struck me: "The truth is written, you can run, but you can't hide. You choose your destiny - we'll see when worlds collide." (Sinbreed, "When Worlds Collide") A collision of worlds is coming, metaphorically speaking, a collision between the spiritual world and the physical world when the Lord returns in judgment. This truth is written in the Bible, and on that day, no one will be able to hide. You choose your destiny - it will be either a glorious day or a terrible day based on the life you have lived. Knowing this begs the question: what does the Bible tell us about the Lord's return, and what should we do to prepare for it?
From 2 Peter 3: "But by His (God's) word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:7-10, NASB) Therefore, we know this day is coming, and it will come like a thief (i.e., when no one expects it, so don't be fooled by those who say they can predict it).
So how should we prepare for the Lord's return? The good news is (a) the Lord does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance and (b) you choose your destiny. We see from Matthew 25:31-46 that the king (Jesus) will separate the sheep (the righteous) from the goats (the unrighteous) according to their choices (their actions) in this life. Note also that neither the sheep nor the goats have any say in the matter - only the king. The yardstick that will be used to measure us will be the Lord's, not your opinion or mine or anyone else's, and that yardstick is the Bible. Therefore, our first choice should be to study the Bible and follow its requirements. The most important choice God wants you to make? "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38, NASB)
