Jesus is speaking, “Even thus shall it be in the day…” It will seem like any other day. People will be going about all their activities. Just another ho-hum day. Wait, Jesus isn’t through, “…when the Son of man is revealed.” Another day, another dollar here on earth. But then, just like a flash of lightning Jesus will be here—here on Earth. That’s verse 30 of Luke 17.
We already know from John 14:2-3 that Jesus is going to prepare a place for those who are prepared. These verses in Luke are a wake-up call, a precaution of sorts, a warning to be ready. Back in Noah’s day, no one paid any attention to what Noah was doing until it was too late. Once the door is shut, that’s it. The entire earth was flooded and only a few survived.
Now Jesus is saying in verse 32 of Luke 17, “Remember Lot’s wife.” That should generate a gasp of air from the lungs. Don’t look back! Jesus said it in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Lot’s wife looked back. The angels who came to get them and set them outside the city told them not to look behind them (Genesis 19:17). But Lot’s wife for whatever reason couldn’t resist looking back (verse 26) and she turned into a pillar of salt.
It doesn’t take a stretch to understand that there is just nothing to look back for. This world is so filled with evil. Looking forward to the day of Jesus’ coming is the only thing to look for. The prince of this world (Satan) has been lurking about seeking who he can destroy for quite some time (I Peter 5:8). Just a cursory review of the evils of this world are enough to set anyone on their heels.
Our time on this earth can be better spent laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven. “Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.’ (Matthew 19:21).”
We already know from John 14:2-3 that Jesus is going to prepare a place for those who are prepared. These verses in Luke are a wake-up call, a precaution of sorts, a warning to be ready. Back in Noah’s day, no one paid any attention to what Noah was doing until it was too late. Once the door is shut, that’s it. The entire earth was flooded and only a few survived.
Now Jesus is saying in verse 32 of Luke 17, “Remember Lot’s wife.” That should generate a gasp of air from the lungs. Don’t look back! Jesus said it in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Lot’s wife looked back. The angels who came to get them and set them outside the city told them not to look behind them (Genesis 19:17). But Lot’s wife for whatever reason couldn’t resist looking back (verse 26) and she turned into a pillar of salt.
It doesn’t take a stretch to understand that there is just nothing to look back for. This world is so filled with evil. Looking forward to the day of Jesus’ coming is the only thing to look for. The prince of this world (Satan) has been lurking about seeking who he can destroy for quite some time (I Peter 5:8). Just a cursory review of the evils of this world are enough to set anyone on their heels.
Our time on this earth can be better spent laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven. “Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.’ (Matthew 19:21).”
