A Parable On Christ's Coming
By Ray Brubaker
"A flood is coming!" cried Noah to the people who came
in inquire as to why he was building an ark. Perhaps the
sincerity of Noah's voice, along with the strivings of the
Spirit of God convinced many of an awareness of coming
catastrophe. After all, was it reasonable that a Holy God
should tolerate gross wickedness seen engulfing the world?
Unprecedented violence stalked the earth, along with sexual
immorality and every kind of perversion. Men seemed to
know a Holy God had no alternative but to judge the ungodly
for their sins.
At first, there must have been many who were convinced
that Noah was right. They listened attentively and believed
intently in a God who would punish iniquity as His Word
declared. So some sought to live for Him.
But interest in Noah's message was gradually forgotten.
After all, 120 years had passed since Noah mentioned a
coming flood and surely he must have been mistaken.
Although the ark was finished the people were too busy
marrying and divorcing as well as eating and drinking,
buying and selling, planting and building that they did not
notice the darkening cloud formations. Amidst plenty,
prosperity, and pleasure madness the populace of Noah's
day had all but forgotten the warning of a coming flood.
But then it happened. Suddenly, and unexpectedly,
the lightning began to flash and the thunder rolled. The
canopy of moisture high in the heavens became rain and
began pouring upon the earth. From the fountains of the
deep there similarly poured forth mountainous tides as
the earth accommodated the God who had foretold a coming
flood.
See the doomed as they rush to yonder hills or climb
trees to escape the rushing waters. Hear their screams
as they pound on the door of the ark with the swirling
torrents engulfing them and their loved ones. Mothers
with babies in their arms, and fathers holding little
children, became frightfully aware that the flood was a
reality.
Doom and destruction came to all except Noah and
his family who believed God, lived for Him, and escaped
death from drowning because they heeded His Word.
"A King is coming[" Everywhere you could hear it
echoed. It was sung by little children at play, whistled
by men on the job. It was chorused by the temple choir.
Days, and months, and years rushed by and soon the
echo of Messiah's coming became a faint whisper. So long
the people had waited until hopes and dreams of a king
were shattered by the sounds of soldiers in the streets.
An invading army had overtaken them and few regarded
the messianic promises.
Religious ritual went on as before - somehow it added
dignity and respect to the edicts of the emperor. Religious
leaders saved their necks by becoming pawns and
puppets of the presiding Power. The philosophy of these
religionists who advocated Peace at any price, even to the
loss of personal freedom, became - "if you can't lick 'em
join 'em."
Repaying his respects to those who literally worshipped
him, the emperor built a temple that was more costly
than Solomon's edifice. Its value was in excess of 10 billions
of dollars.
Poverty reigned amidst such religious splendor. The
people eked out a bare existence, their income taxed beyond
their means.
Among the Jews there were many, nearly all, in fact,
who somehow believed in their hearts, or at least were
taught about a coming Messiah - a king who might rescue
them from these invading tyrants, and who would again
restore the kingdom to Israel.
The amazing part of this true story is that He came...
Yes, the king came, and lived unrecognized by those who
were expecting him. He had not come like they had supposed,
with flying banners, and armies. The masses largely
passed him by - only a few, some shepherds and some
fishermen, a few old men and helpless widows, they, alone,
recognized him as the Christ, the earth-born prince who
was in reality the King of Heaven.
Again a world now waits. Again wafted on the breeze
of seven seas the sounds of lovely music heralds the
message - JESUS IS COMING! Surely
this time he will not
be mistaken.
But alas, the people are busier than ever, building
exalted edifices dedicated in His name, others carrying
on 'business as usual' in the marketplace, prosperous,
careless, and contented.
And suddenly He appears - His coming unannounced.
And not until destruction predicted for a future day
actually dawns, and Antichrist takes his throne, did many
realize they missed His coming and were left behind.
Ah yes, Christ had come, the glorious rapture past,
and the vast majority had missed the pre-Coronation
feast - the marriage supper of the Lamb.
A few were ready for His appearing, their whereabouts
now a mystery. The logical explanation was that those
now missing were 'fanatics', perhaps emotionally-disturbed
who may have wandered off somewhere, "holy-rollers" who may
have met with foul play from those who
wanted riddance of these extremists.
The truth is this - those who were ready not only talked
and sang 'Jesus is coming' but walked it and lived it.
Momentarily their hearts were filled with expectancy at
the thought of rapture, sobered at being left behind.
Empowered by God's Holy Spirit they lived praising the
Lamb that was slain, whose shed blood taught them to live
pure and holy, so that at the precise moment of the trumpet's
sound, like a rocket seeks its target these were
ushered into the presence of their Lord.
The King had come, but the vast majority of those who
professed to be His followers were absent from this
glorious event. But were these not Christians - those left
behind? Did they not profess faith in Him, and testify
of saving grace?
Ah, sorry to say the claims of Christ were their plea.
In their hearts was the hope of eternal life. But shallow-
believing must needs be tested, and sins of the flesh must
of necessity be purged. For our Lord has ordained a
sanctified, holy church without spot or blemish, like unto
Himself, and characterized by righteous deeds and good
works.
Could it be these are they of whom it is said, they "came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb?"
The point of this parable is not to look at this possibility
of being left behind at the rapture with doubt and disbelief
because this doctrine does not fit our theological blueprint.
Rather, may we see that many missed the safety of Noah's
Ark who may have anticipated escape from a coming flood.
Many missed the 'Messiah' for He came as a lowly babe
in a manger rather than to have been born as a king on a
throne. And many, unless they heed the warnings of God's
Word and make preparation for Christ's coming may be
found missing at the Rapture.
Indeed, Be ye therefore ready also, for the son of man
cometh at an hour when ye think not.
