Unsplash\/Javier Miranda<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEverywhere I go, I find people commenting, \u201cI can\u2019t believe how time is flying. Life seems to be going by so fast!\u201d They tell me, \u201cDays and months seem to be zipping by almost in a blur.\u201d<\/p>\n
Is this a fantasy or reality? Is it our imagination or is something actually happening? Recall rock band Buffalo Springfield singing, \u201cThere\u2019s something happening here. What it is ain\u2019t exactly clear \u2026 stop, children, what\u2019s that sound? Everybody look what\u2019s goin\u2019 down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seriously, what is goin\u2019 down?<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like summer just got started \u2014 it\u2019s already over \u2026 I can\u2019t believe kids have been back in school for weeks! \u2026 Costco\u2019s gonna\u2019 start putting up Christmas stuff \u2026 where\u2019d the time go?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before we know it, they\u2019ll begin stocking shelves for Super Bowl Sunday!<\/p>\n
Things to ponder<\/strong><\/p>\nThe older we get the quicker time seems to pass. Why is that? When we were five it seemed like an eternity as we eagerly counted days until Christmas. That represented about 20% of our life. When we\u2019re 50, it represents about 2%. Hence, the gap shortens and everything seems to come quicker with the pace ever quickening.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Scripture speaks of the acceleration in pace of living in Daniel, which is a prophetic book for the End Times that Jesus cited. The last chapter alerts us to something interesting happening prior to His Return. \u201cMany shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase\u201d (Dan. 12:4).<\/p>\n
Is \u201cHe who changes the times and seasons\u201d (Dan. 2:21) doing something supernatural in these last days? God stopped the sun and moon for 24 hours to alter a battle (Josh.10:12); super-charged Elijah to miraculously outpace a chariot (1Kings 18:46); suspended laws of nature when Jesus walked on water, walked through a wall and arrived ahead of his disciples who arrived by boat! Also, Satan \u201cknows that his time is short\u201d (Rev. 12:12) and his end-time emissary will work to \u201cwear out the saints of the Most High and plan to change times and law\u201d (Dan. 7:25).<\/p>\n
The Book of Daniel also alerts us that \u201cthere shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time\u201d (Dan.12:1).<\/p>\n
The Bible teaches that the Return of Jesus Christ to earth will be similar to a woman in childbirth (1 Thess. 5:3). There\u2019s definitely a quickening of pace as the baby is about to be born.<\/p>\n
Christ\u2019s return<\/strong><\/p>\nIt certainly is good news in these turbulent times to reflect on His promised Return \u201cas we await the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us \u2026\u201d (Titus 2:13).<\/p>\n
During World War II, General MacArthur was forced to evacuate from the Philippines as Japan invaded. He promised, \u201cI shall return!\u201d When the war was finally over, he returned just as he\u2019d said. Jesus pledged the same to us (Jn. 14:3) and He will also keep His word. <\/p>\n
In the meantime, whether time seems to go swiftly or slowly, we have a mission to carry out. The mandate of our Master is for us to be found not sleeping passively but serving passionately in these climactic days of history.<\/p>\n
There are numerous signs pointing to the end of the age and His Return but the primary one remains our sacred responsibility: \u201cThis Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, then the end will come\u201d (Matt. 24:14).<\/p>\n
As the pace is picking up for all of us, the Bible tells us to be wise. \u201cSo teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom\u201d (Ps. 90:12). And how do we do it?<\/p>\n
\u201cHe who wins souls is wise\u201d (Prov. 11:30) and \u201cThose who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of Heaven and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever\u201d (Dan. 12:3).<\/p>\n
I also want to encourage you to take a few more minutes to read and reflect on a pertinent passage for such a time as this.<\/p>\n
Peter\u2019s parting shot<\/strong><\/p>\nPeter was an apostle martyred for his faith who passed along these divinely inspired exhortations for us to ponder and put into practice in order to \u201chasten\u201d (speed along) the day of Christ\u2019s Return (2 Pet. 3:12).<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBut do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a 1,000 years, and a 1,000 years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You are to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed it\u2019s coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found, spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him\u201d (2 Pet. 3:8-14 NIV).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n