T Minus 16 ... T Minus 15 ... T Minus 14

The great Saturn rocket stood poised, aimed at the stars, while the relentless countdown continued, “... T minus 13 ... T minus 12 ... T minus 11 ...” Countdowns come in many forms and sizes but they all have one thing in common - a moment of expectation, a moment of great significance when an “object of the future” passes into “the Now.”

Soon the most widely watched countdown of the year will begin “10... 9... 8...” As the countdown continues, “7... 6... 5...” one becomes acutely aware of time and how it resolutely marches forward toward the goal, that great moment of expectation. But not until the countdown reaches zero does the “object of the future” become reality, “4... 3... 2...” That object of the future may seem “unreal” and “distant” until it arrives ... but when that moment of the future passes into being the reality of the present it no longer seems “so distant, so unreal.”

How true this is of Jesus’ return. But not only will it be a moment that will have seemed “unreal” and “distant,” even one second before it occurs, but also it will eliminate all of our human countdowns and planning which had extended beyond that moment of time. A moment of time when the sky is suddenly and finally torn open to reveal the glorious and awesome Lord of hosts.

Both Jesus’ and Paul’s messages were sculptured in the crucible of the countdown. They taught that:

• God has set aside a day for this event ... the countdown has begun, Acts 17:31

• the day and hour are known only to the Father, Matthew 24:36

• it will arrive unannounced like a thief in the night, Matthew 24:42-44

• those who are wise will be living in a state of “preparedness.” Matthew 25:1-13

So, what about you? The countdown is going on. Are you read for "1 ... 0" and then that next second which we take for granted never arrives as the dead are raised and this world ends in judgement?

Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998

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