So Be on Your Guard

In light of the corona-virus Americans are encouraged to be prepared and one recommendation is to have a two-week supply of necessities —food, medications, toilet paper, etc. It makes sense to me. If I get sick, I won’t be able to go out for two-weeks; if my community gets sick, I may not want to leave the house for two-weeks. During my most recent trip to Walmart I was surprised to find the anti-bacterial hand wipes, powdered milk and bulk survival food shelves empty. No doubt the store restocked overnight, but it indicated that some people in the community are taking the warning seriously. The Lord gave us signs of the end of the age and I can’t help but wonder how seriously some of us are taking that warning. Jesus said, “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time” (Mark 13:14-23 NIV).