by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
UNAWARES
H ave you ever been taken by sur prise? Has something happened to you which you did not expect? When such things occur, we are gen erally quite embarrassed. We might not have known exactly what to do. Such things may take place to com munities. Here in Los Angeles some time ago there was a great flood simply because a large reservoir in the Baldwin Hills cracked and gave way. Many homes were flooded and destroyed. It is only fortunate that it did not take place at night, for in this case thousands would have lost their lives. It was a tragic and sudden event. At the start of that day no one expected his home to be ruined and his possessions swept away. The same was true with the re cent Alaskan earthquakes. The tidal waves which came as a result of them swept destruction down the Pacific coast. The Second Coming of our Lord Jesus is going to be a sudden event. It will end in tremendous tragedy for many people. When the Saviour comes, as the Messiah of Israel, delivering His people, He will also come as the Judge of this world. The days of mercy and grace will be over. In Matthew 24:37 we read, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” The Lord had already made a parallel be tween the budding fig tree and His coming. Here, He again goes back to the Old Testament. Noah was a preacher of righteousness in a world of sin. The people in those days thought that he was insane. He was the object of public derision and scorn. Here he was building a boat in what seemed to be the midst of the desert. He preached of coming judg ment while no one seemed to pay any attention whatsoever. Going on to the next verse we read, “For as in the days of Noe that were before- the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, un til the day that Noe entered into the ark.” People, then as now, were in terested in their own affairs. Why should they be in a panic? Everything was going along well for them. We, too, are living in prosperous times. Wages are high, and people are IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE The Bible speaks of life hereafter In a splendid dwelling place. Where all the treasures of the earth Reflect the glories of God's grace. Gold and silver and precious jewels, Diamond, emerald, ruby and pearl, Adorn the walls with celestial fire. Unseen by the eyes of this mortal world. The place prepared by God's own Son Holds treasures far beyond com pare, For He obeyed God's holy will To give us mansions fine and rare. The streets are paved with stones of kindness, And doors are locked with trust; The table is richly set with patience; A sip of mercy is a must! Every spoken word's a petal Of lovely music from a rose, •Whose fragrant perfume fills the air With constant moments of repose. Peace abides around the hearthside, Where only love can enter in, Attired in sacrificial raiment, To dwell forever with God in Heav'n. — Marian Garrett Gibbs able to get what they desire. Things once considered a luxury are now a necessity. God is being put more and more “on the shelf” here in our own country; we are becoming a secular nation. The world is acting as though God were really dead. But we must not be misled by these signs. Christ 11
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