It is probably just a coincidence but these past few weeks I have read Daniel and Revelation. Both books steeped in the theme of visions and metaphors.
I read Revelation because the pastor at the church we were considering was preaching a sermon series on it. So I read Daniel along with it. Then we (I - Alice was not feeling good) went to a new church this past Sunday. For some reason I felt lead to attend the Sunday evening service where, there again, the book of Revelation was being preached. This time with a bit more dogmatism than the previous preacher.
These episodes started me thinking down a particular vein. Why is that the Second Coming is so important? What is it about the "last days" that captures our attention? Is it that we need those thoughts of anticipation regarding the "at any moment" idea of the the return of Christ? Is the belief system regarding the return of Christ- that is fear of impending judgement - what motivates us to live a godly and holy life? Are we so much like the Israel of old that we need to be threatened with death, isolation, and destruction - or even the return of Christ - in order to do what God desires us to do?
I know many would say that the motive surrounding the Second Coming is the anticipation of Christ's return and reign. Is that the true stimulus or is it simply couched in that thought, with the more accurate motive being "don't get caught with your pants down when He returns?" A fear that we may not be what we should be in Christ or doing something we should not be doing when he returns.
Is it not possible for us to love Christ, be devoted to God and live lives according to His divine laws and love for our brothers without thinking the Second Coming is a future event?
You may regard these remarks as heresy and that's fine. My intent is not to disparage the Second Coming of Christ, simply to explore motive. The motive to live out of pure devotion to our God because that is what we want to do not have to do.
What is your motive?
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