“Then Jesus gave them this illustration: ‘Notice the fig tree or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. …
‘Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. …
‘People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!’”
– Luke 21:29-31; 34-36; 26-28
My family and I went to a Mariners baseball game this past weekend.
When it comes to the end of a baseball game, everyone pretty much has an idea when the game will be over … but no one really knows for sure.
The end of the baseball game will be somewhere around the 9th inning.
* If the score is tied at the bottom of the 9th inning, then the game will go into overtime.
* If the opposing team is ahead at the top of the 9th inning, then the game will conclude at the bottom of the 9th inning.
* If the home team is ahead at the top of the 9th inning, and the opposing team does not outscore during their time up to bat, then the game concludes at that point without even going to the bottom of the 9th inning.
During the game we attended this past Saturday, the Mariners were ahead going into the top of the 9th inning, with a score of 5 to 3. The opposing team was up to bat. Would they hit a home run?? No one knew. Would they hit a home run with bases loaded?? No one knew. Anything could happen.
There were some balls.
And a strike!
A batter on base!
A few more balls.
Another strike!
Everyone was on their feet!! Only one more strike and we would win the game!! The excitement was palpable … as everyone watched and waited with anticipation to see what would happen!
This right here is what the second coming of Jesus will be like.
No one knows exactly when Jesus will be coming back to the earth again. He is coming! That is for certain! Jesus himself, when He was here the first time, gave some very clear signs of what to be looking for regarding His second coming. (Matthew chapters 24 & 25; Mark chapter 13; Luke chapter 21)
Just like we know when the 9th inning of a baseball game is at hand, so also we can look at the signs Jesus gave and know that the “9th inning” of humanity is close at hand. Do we know how long the 9th inning of the baseball game will last? No. We don’t know when the game will come to an end … but we know we are close.
This is where we are at in human history. We don’t know exactly when Jesus will appear in the clouds with power and great glory! … but we know we are close!
Just because the baseball game is in the 9th inning it does not mean everyone in the stands should just give up … “check out” … pack up … and leave. Especially if there is the knowledge that an epic win is close at hand!
Neither should this be our attitude as we wait for Jesus to come back again. Yes, the times we are living in are very dark! Yes, we are very much aware that we are in the “9th inning” spiritually speaking. But that doesn’t mean we should just give up … “check out” … pack up … and sit around and wait to leave this sin-cursed planet.
No! Stay the course! Be faithful to the task God has called us to! And just like the entire stadium this past Saturday rose to their feet in expectation and watchful anticipation … so also, we who follow Jesus “stand up and lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)
Even so come, Lord Jesus!
