On Monday of this week my wife and I attended the wedding of one of my granddaughters in Elizabethtown, PA. Tuesday, we had the opportunity of having dinner with my wife’s sisters and spouses in Ephrata. Ephrata was my old “stomping ground” and each time we get back there, I am always on the lookout for old friends. I really don’t expect to see any, but you never know. As we were waiting to be seated, a high school friend of mine was exiting the restaurant. What were the chances that I would run into him? Actually, the chances were just a little bit better than one might think. Years ago, when I was visiting my parents, we went out to eat at a restaurant in Selinsgrove, PA and I ran into him there as he was exiting the restaurant. Both meetings were unplanned and consequently unexpected. Some might say that the meetings were simply a matter of chance, but I believe both meetings were in the providential workings of God and both brought joy to me.
Without corrupting man’s will, God works providentially in time. He has a plan, and He is working out His plan. Case in point is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Before time even existed, the plan of Christ’s incarnation was determined (Revelation 13:8). The plan was announced to man immediately after they sinned in the Garden of Eden. The plan of His birth was accomplished at the perfect time (Galatians 4:4). His arrival in Jerusalem to present Himself to Israel as their Messiah was on the exact predicted day (Daniel 9:25, Luke 19:44). His resurrection occurred just as He said (John 2:19). God does everything on time!
Jesus also promised that He would one day return for His church in what is known as the rapture. The specific time of His coming is not revealed to us, but it is determined (Mark 13:32). Scripture commands Christians to be looking for that day (Titus 2:13). In the same manner that I was on the lookout for old friends, Christians are to be watching for Christ’s return. Do I expect that it will be today? Maybe not, but who knows! What I do know is that when He returns for His Church, it will bring me GREAT joy. My encounter with my high school friend only lasted a minute or less each time but my encounter with my Savior will last for eternity. To borrow from the Apostle John, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)