The Advent Awakens
The NY Times ran an article about 100 fans camped out in the courtyard of the Chinese theater in Los Angeles for the new Star Wars: the Force Awakens movie, 12 days before the actual movie came out. That’s nothing compared to the last Star Wars movie, the “Revenge of the Sith,” where fans camped out in line six weeks in advance in anticipation for that film. When asked why they wait when online ticket sales offer reserved seating and various numbers of screenings can easily meet the demand, the campers responded, “That’s missing the point, at night you freeze and in the daytime you cook, but you come for the camaraderie and the chance to be a part of cinematic history…there are traditions to be upheld.”
Whether we agree or not, we can’t help but notice how gung ho they are on Star Wars to the extent where they are willing to forsake work, school, their time, their money and their life to be waiting in line…to watch a movie! Now I’m not ridiculing these people, but reading this article reminds me of another group that waited and watched, forgoing their livelihood, their homes, their jobs to look forward to the soon coming of Jesus Christ. It was the Millerite movement that stirred the hearts of people with the reality that Jesus would come again on October 22, 1844.
The book the Great Controversy tells us: “Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles, none have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse of many years, all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform of truth still feel the holy influence of that blessed work and bear witness that is was of God. “
Did you catch that? This quotation tells us that this religious movement, the expectation that Jesus was coming very, very soon, created such a tremendous revival that it surpassed what the apostles of the early church experienced…free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan. The drunkard became sober, doubt and perplexity was replaced with hope and courage, backsliders confessed their sins and forsook the world. There was a deep soul searching and prayer and consecration to God and all became one of heart and of one mind. Because they believed Jesus was coming in their lifetime!
Friends, can we experience the same now? Today in 2016? I believe we can, if the reality of Christ’s coming is so real to us, wouldn’t we gladly forsake the things of this world, to repent of our sins, to be ready to see Jesus when He comes in the clouds?
Jesus says in Revelation 3:3, “Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”
Whatever Jesus asks us to give up is only because He has something better to offer you. But if you don’t want to give it up, He will come as a thief, not just because you were not ready, but you see His coming as something that is not desirable because it deprives you of that cherished sin that you don’t want to give up.
Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for the final hour when He told them to “watch and pray,” but they were sleeping. And when the time came, they were completely unprepared! Friends are we sleeping, are we lulled by the entertainment and pleasures of this world? Jesus is asking us to watch and be ready. There are signs all around us, events that are falling place that prophecy has foretold would happen before the end will come. We see things happening in our society where lawlessness abounds, we see things happening in the religious world where Pope Francis is making tremendous progress in gaining worldwide influence in the Protestant world, we see chaos and unrest taking place with terrorism on the rise, we see human trafficking taking place even on our own American soil! Knowing all these things that are taking place, can we as young people afford to retreat into our movies, dramas, internet gaming, our music and pacify ourselves into a false sense of carnal security?
It was 10 years ago when I was deeply entrenched in the dance world, I was at a dance hall one evening, and after a while I took a break after a musical number and sat at my table. I smiled as I watched the dancers, some of them my friends, on the floor with carefree expressions on their faces, then a sobering thought flashed in my mind. The thought was, “What if Jesus came right now and He found you here at this place? What would you say? What would you do?” I imagined hearing the loud trumpet and that disrupted the music in the dance hall and everyone went outside to see what was going on. And I pictured us as we all looked up into the bright sky with a cloud of angels and seated in the center was Jesus…and He was looking at me.
What would I say to explain why I was there? What would I do if I heard the terrifying pronouncement that He never knew me?
That night, I was convicted that I cannot, I will not be found in such a place again. When Jesus comes, I want to be found waiting and watching for Him rather than caught by surprise in spiritual slumber. To prepare for His coming, we need to live each day as if it were our last. When Jesus comes, I want Him to find me fulfilling the mission that He calls me and every young person to engage in, that is to share the gospel to those around us to prepare everyone for the soon return of Jesus.
But in order to be an effective messenger for God in these last days, actions speak louder than words…it is by our lifestyle, our character, what we talk about, how we spend the majority of our time that convinces to people whether we believe that Jesus is coming soon! Not by being a professed Christian, not being a Christian by name only, but by experiencing the true gospel that sets us free from addictions, inherited and cultivated tendencies, our entertainment, pride, selfish pursuits, love of money, our cherished sins…Jesus offers something better than all that, if you would surrender your life over to Him. He is coming soon, friends…
What are you waiting for? Today can be the day that Jesus can change your life completely! Jesus is waiting to enter your heart. Will you consecrate yourself to Him today?
Bryan Choi serves as a pastor for the Michigan Conference and is currently pastoring both, the Buchanan SDA Church and the Chikaming SDA Church.