The title of this blog, although prompted by the Lord, also accompanies inspiration from some recent vlogs of certain watchers who are also feeling a similar way as it relates to the decline of normalcy in these last days. To begin, let’s look at what Jesus said the world would look like just before His return for His Church.
“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” – Luke 17:26-30
- In this passage Jesus gives us the example of two men, Noah and Lot, and what their world looked like in conjunction to God’s judgment. In both instances we see the phrase, ‘until the day’ and ‘on the day,’ which reference an actual day or a given day; it’s not a span of time, but a literal 24-hour day.
The idea of things being somewhat normal for both Noah and Lot, or a business-as-usual motif was prevalent in this passage. This, in of itself, should be a sign for us that when ‘normal’ appears to be running out, and life, as we knew it, is no longer our reality, then it’s a serious heads up that the Lord’s return for His Church is near.
For me, I can see some very distinct changes occurring within our society as more and more people are trying to make sense of their lives and futures while an increase in the limitation of their resources prevails. I am finding that the prices for vendors has fluxuated so dramatically that one would have to shop around more diligently for the best deal due to the uncertainty and instability of labor and materials that effect their project schedule fees.
What a swimming pool install would cost you three years ago is much higher today. The same goes for patio covers, concrete slabs, room additions, landscape design and general household maintenance.
It can be a scary scenario, tying to fund normal while the world is in an irreversible spin. However, this is what Jesus said the world would look like just before His return. As believers, we don’t fear what the world fears, we just do our best to be our best as we witness for the Lord and live our lives to the best of our ability; even in these dire circumstances. We are still the light and flavor of this world, and we need to continue to share God’s love with as many as who will listen and receive.
One of the things that has helped me in my walk with the Master is an early morning daily devotional and prayer time with the Lord. Mine consists of a daily devotional and journaling, supported with some intentional Bible reading and prayer. It’s a discipline that has been prompted by less normalcy in my life and world, coupled with a genuine longing to be with Jesus and all of those who love Him. Until we get there, we are all here and need to be working and serving the Lord as best we can in the ways that God has ordained for us.
This can be difficult when we’re running out of normal, but it’s part of the ride for a believer who is living in a pre-tribulation era. If my personal eschatology wasn’t squared away, than I might be a bit more frazzled; but my faith in God is strong and I know where I am going. I believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture, and I understand that Bible prophecy tells us that the Lord will judge this world in the seven-year tribulation. When that judgment is over, Jesus will return to the earth in His glorious Second Coming, with His Church, to establish His millennial kingdom. This is eschatology 101 for those who believe and have a good handle on their Christian life and thought; however, for those who struggle with all of this, for them, possibly for you, it’s time to get your life right with the Lord and truly understand what’s coming down the pike.
As true believers in Jesus, we don’t fear what the world fears because we’re not of this world; our home is in heaven where we long to be; with the Lord in His Kingdom, enjoying His presence. While we get a taste of that world via the Holy Spirit who continually resides within us, confirming that we are saved and destined for glory; we also feel His conviction when we struggle with sin issues and temptations and such.
This world still has plenty of that kind of normal; sin and temptation. What we’re running out of is this world’s version of hope and a sense of confidence for any good that is to come. My wife and I have three adult offspring who are married with children of their own, our grandchildren. If I didn’t believe that the Master’s return was relatively soon, I would be more concerned for their future, but because they are following the ways of the Lord, their future is very secure. They live their lives believing and trusting in Jesus, as we should do.
Running out of normal is like running out of gas, water, money, or time; when it’s gone it’s gone, but so will we be when the Lord returns for us. Jesus said that ‘He must do the works of His Father while it is day, for when night comes, no man can work.’ Before God’s judgment does come, His Church will be removed first. What we are doing for the Lord now is within the context of a diminishing normal on a daily basis. In the meantime, we all need to be working and serving and being productive for the Lord; this is our mandate, and it makes for a good witness of the Father.
When the Lord returns for His Church, which happens before this world morphs into anything but normal or business as usual; we must be ready for Him. Right now I am doing all kinds of odd jobs around the house, I am helping others, I work a job and pay my bills while I manage the blessing that God has given to me.
I am doing this because it’s the right thing to do; it’s what God expects of me as I live my life in a responsible way, living at peace with all men, and being a good witness of the Lord in the community He has placed me.
This is my normal and I have plenty of it, even as the world’s normal continues to run out. Too many people have a false sense of financial security as they go on living their lives with decent jobs or a nice retirement. That will all end when our economy does; it’s all a house of cards. The only way to be total secure in a world that is becoming less normal and more chaotic is to place your faith and trust in Jesus; He is the only way.
I am so grateful to God, so thankful for His abundant provision in my life, and for the confidence that He has given me in the midst of this pre-tribulation era that we are all living in. The chaotic change of events that we have been experiencing these past few years is the new ‘normal’ that Jesus spoke of that would eventually manifest in the world just before His return for us; which is where we are living today, on this side of the Rapture. We’re waiting for the Lord to take us home, but while we wait, we must work, and serve, and watch, and plan as best we can, just like they were doing in Lot’s day when ‘they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, and they built, but on that day when Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone, from heaven, and destroyed them all.’ This would seem to be a difficult thing to do; but alas, it’s what we are called to do in these last of the last days.
While it’s true that normal is running out, it’s equally true that what God has given to us, as His children, is more than enough hope and truth which helps us to reflect His love to as many people who are caught in this increasing ‘normal-less’ bubble. Too many people want to go on living their lives, not realizing that at any moment, that ‘normal bubble’ will burst, the bottom will fall out from under them, or worse, if they don’t chose Jesus, they will die without Him. For a person to be truly ready to go has more to do with them having placed their faith and trust in Jesus; not just in a 401k or 403b retirement plan. While those things are nice and financially responsible, no amount of financial or estate planning will prepare a person for what is about to hit this world. Believers in Jesus have a confident peace and an assured stability in Christ, even as they live out their days in a ‘growing more normal-less’ world. BTW, I define ‘to go’ as dying in Christ or being Raptured; which for a Chrisitan, is our hope.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that, for the Christian, ‘to be absence from the body is to be present with the Lord,’ which is what we all long for. My advice for anyone who is struggling with adjusting to the new normal-less in our world, make your new normal a God-centered normal where you put God first in everything that you do. Begin your day with Jesus, prayer, and Bible-centered devotions. Love those whom He has entrusted to your care. Get ride of those things that are not pleasing to Him. Find a good church and participate in it. Share your faith and hope with others who are in your stead. Don’t lose hope as you also watch and wait for the Lord’s return, and live your life to the fullest.
Normal isn’t coming back, but Jesus is, very soon, and we need to be ready for His return as we continue to serve Him in that part of the vineyard that He has called us into.
Maranatha
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northwest Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 