like the lightning

"For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day." (Luke 17:24 ESV)

How much is packed into this one statement by Jesus about his return, his second coming! How many errors could be avoided by paying close attention to this passage.

His return will be like lightning (sudden, unexpected, powerful)
It will light up the sky (visible, glorious)
From one side to the other (universal, global*)
the Son of Man in his day (personal, bodily)

Jesus' second coming will be personal, visible, sudden, worldwide, and glorious!

*Jesus notes that at his return some will be sleeping, some will be working (17:34, 35). This is probably not a reference to shift work, but to the fact that for some it will be day and for others night. Hint: Jesus knew the world was round.

He goes on to say that his return will be preceded by a period of normalcy. Normal human activities -- eating, working, attending weddings. (This one reason why I believe the rapture will precede the great tribulation, which will be a period of non-normalcy.)

The big warning: "remember Lot's wife" (17:32). Don't be attached to the world that is going to be destroyed. Be ready to leave. "I wish we'd all been ready." (Larry Norman)

Lightning photo from Wikimedia Commons.

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