I can remember many times while growing up that whenever the pastor or guest speaker spoke about end times and the Rapture I had a growing sense of unease in the pit of my stomach. This could certainly be due to the fact that I was not really aware of what a true relationship with Christ was, but it could also be due to the fact that I really struggle with abstract concepts. Wrapping my head around eternity, the Rapture, the disappearance of a huge percentage of the earth's population and those relatively horrible end times films that attempted to portray these events may have left a permanent mark on me. As I have grown older, I have more and more been exposed to the idea that the eminent return of the Lord is something we should be hoping for. I still have difficulty in grasping this concept fully, but I can freely admit that there have been periods of my life where Heaven sounded like a welcome alternative to this earthly existence. As I was reading Amos 5:18-21, a different picture of the "Day of the Lord" jumped out at me. It is a stark reminder that His return is far less a rescue of us from our earthly troubles than a regathering of those who are doing His work.
v.18-Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord,
For what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you?
It will be darkness and not light;
19-As when a man flees from a lion, and a bear meets him,
or goes home, leans his hand against the wall,
And a snake bites him.
20- Will not the day of the Lord be darkness instead of light,
Even gloom with no brightness in it.
21- I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.
The passage goes on to state that even the songs that are sung for God are detestable, and the offerings are not even deserving of a glance from God.
While this passage was most likely intended to address Israel's coming hope of the Messiah, it has a timeless importance for us today. These are God's chosen people. These are the ones through whom he will complete the work of the salvation of mankind, yet he wants nothing to to with them and warns them repeatedly that his return may be far different than they ever expected. Maybe it will be different than some of us expect too. Maybe we are unprepared as Israel was unprepared. Maybe we have found a spiritual catchphrase in calling for the return of the Lord. There is certainly no harm in this, as we see this hope portrayed many times throughout the Scriptures, but this hope and utterance needs to always be accompanied by a fear and understanding that God is returning to judge the world as well. Might we be cautious that we do not flee from a lion only to run into a bear? I know that I still have an unsettled feeling when I think of the Lord's return. Am I living the life that is surrendered and submitted? Am I sowing and reaping? Am I sharing the good news? Or am I trying to make my mark on the world in some other way, be it money, fame, possessions, or effort? When I ask myself these questions, I begin to get that growing sense of unease and I know that there is still much for me to do here on earth. Lord, I pray that you will help me to better understand what you would have me do on this earth in order to better prepare for your coming. Make my songs and my meager offerings pleasing in your sight.
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