REFLECTIONS
Not surprised

Lena Bergen Friesen

Revelation 1:7

In the book, Hansi, Maria Ann Hirshmann relates a touching story of her brother Rudy, who was living in Czechoslovakia during the communist rule. One evening, Rudy’s father inquired about his son’s troubled expression. Rudy replied, “Papa, Teacher said that there is no God. The Russian astronauts have looked around in space and can find no trace of Him. Papa, won’t Teacher be surprised when she sees Jesus come again?”

When I was a child, I, like Rudy, believed in Jesus’ return; in fact, I expected Him to appear any day. The evangelists who came to our church described the rapture in such dramatic sermons that I didn’t think the week would end before Jesus’ return. Our vacation Bible school teachers taught His imminent return through object lessons, stories and songs. We believed He would come in the twinkling of an eye, and so we prepared for the event by giving our hearts to the Lord.

Paul gives this warning in 1 Thessalonians 5:2,6: “You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. . . . So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert.” Peter writes that in the last days scoffers will rise up and say “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? . . . Everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). Hopefully, we aren’t thinking like them, putting our emphasis on material gain and searching for pleasure.

I read of a godly man who each night would go to his window and say to the Lord, “Perhaps tonight.” In the morning, he’d say, “Perhaps today, Lord. “ If we live like that, we will not have to “be surprised when we see Jesus come again”.

Reflections is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by Lena Bergen Friesen of Waterloo, Ont. Freelance submissions for Reflections (200-250 words in length) are welcome.

Last modified March 1, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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