Is Your ‘Go-Bag’ Ready?

Are You Ready?

We’re all watching the CA wildfires on the news, keeping up with the latest reports on containment, casualties, and evacuations.

We can’t help it, it’s dominating the news. It’s not like there aren’t any other things going on.

Biden is wrapping up his term

Trump is being inaugurated tomorrow

His cabinet picks are being grilled by the Senate.

But, the fires are the lead story every day. And the stories we are hearing are tragic, infuriating, and eye-opening.

Disclaimer: Watching the news, I admit, I do not have the whole story. I get bits and pieces. But once it’s all over, the After Action Report, should have all the details to know what they did right, and what they did wrong.

That said, there appears to be a lot that has been done wrong in preparation for these fires. In face, it could be argued, they were not prepared at all. Not on a state level, local level, nor even many on an individual level. And we would do well to take note and learn from what has gone wrong for them so we don’t make the same mistakes.

On the state level, it is reported that 10 years ago the ppl voted to fund and build reservoirs around the state that would feed the fire hydrants in the case of fires like this. Yet, many of the approved reservoirs were either not built, or filled, or even had a delivery system pipeline installed to deliver the water to the hydrants. As a result, the hydrants were dry when the firefighters hooked their hoses up to fight the fires in the neighborhoods.

The ppl paid their high taxes, but didn’t get what they thought they had approved. In fact, many Californians are okay with the high taxes as long as they get the basic services they expect and need in times of crisis like this.

The forest has been allowed to over grow, the underbrush was thick. The heavy rain and snow from the last couple of years, filled some of the reservoirs, but also fed the greenery so this year there was a lot more fuel to feed the fires.

And there are more hurdles the ppl face before they will ever get to move back into the area. Permits to rebuild. Insurance checks to pay for the rebuild and the temp housing. Supplies to rebuild when so many are looking for the same studs, sheetrock, plywood, appliances, paint, shingles, and the rest.

What are they going to do? How long before those neighborhoods are rebuilt into what they had been for the entire lives of the ppl who lived there?!

On the state and local level, it is reported that millions of dollars has been cut from the first-responder budgets. Whatever the money was diverted to was a higher priority than funding police and fire-fighting budgets.

On an individual level, many ppl got out in time and are safe in places not threatened by the fires. But there are a number of stories of ppl who were not prepared and barely got out in time w/ only the clothes on their back. No meds, no ID’s or Credit cards, no change of clothes, maybe even had to leave their pets. Their videos of driving thru the the neighborhood streets w/ both sides an inferno is heart-stopping.

We’ve heard many times that these are the worst fires in the history of LA. This has never happened before. And the assumption appears to be, since it had never happened before, it never would happen. Oops.

And, since it never will happen, then we never need to be prepared to go or fight fires like this. So, let’s just live our lives, go to work, play, party, little league games, go home, go to sleep, fund our pet political projects to get us re-elected and continue to live in our naive state of blissful CA existence.

Cowabunga dude!

So, in the midst of all this, did you notice the county raised our fire danger to High?

Slide

Like the sign says, Are you Ready? Have you signed up for ‘Ready, Set, Go’? Is your go-bag packed or at least do you have your essentials in close proximity so you can grab them in a moment’s notice and get out?

There was a fire in the Doney Park area a couple of years ago. Chief said they went from Set to Go in 5 minutes. The wind shifted. There was a story of a young mom who put her kids down to nap and she fell asleep, too. She woke up in just a few minutes to house full of smoke. She had just enough time to get her kids in the car and get out.

And, while I’m on the subject, Chief Tope has said this, and I have repeated it many times; do not wait till the “Go” order comes to get out of MP. When they tell us to get ready b/c there is a fire in the area, that’s the time to get everything ready to go. Then, whey they say “Set”, that’s the time to go.

We have 1 road out of MP. 1 on-ramp. There are several choke-points in MP before we ever get to I-17. Imagine, everyone in town trying to get out at the same time. If one person panics and does something stupid and blocks our only exit, what will the rest of us do?

Run out on the golf course and get low. It’s open grassland. It’s watered. The pine needles are picked up. And the fire likely would skip right over.

Otherwise, we’re toast. Literally.

Are you ready? But we’ve never had a fire in MP. It’s not even fire season right now. Have you fallen into the trap that b/c of truth like this you live your life as if it will never happen?

All this for fire danger, heed the lessons learned, and get your ‘go-bag’ ready to go.

That’s for a fire and your physical ‘go-bag’. What about your spiritual ‘go-bag’. Are you ready to go? Are you ready for Jesus’ return and are you ready to go when it happens?

He hadn’t come the first time, ever, at all, after being promised for 2000 years. No Lamb of God. No Messiah. No Savior. So, there were many who had become complacent, living the every day lives as if He never would come, whether they would admit it or not.

Then, when He did come, they weren’t ready for Who they got.

So now, us. It’s been almost 2000 years since He came the first time. He hasn’t returned, yet. Have we become complacent, living our everyday lives as if He isn’t going to come again?

When He does, if He does, there’s going to be a huge separation between the ppl who are ready and those who aren’t. It will be final. Those who are ready to go will get into the safety of the kingdom. It will include insurance, a new place to live, safety and security.

But those who are not ready, will get caught in a fire worse than anything LA has ever seen. There will be no escape.

Where we are in the words and works of Jesus the first time He came, we are just a few months/weeks away from His crux. We have studied the important lessons He has taught that the discs, and us, need to get before He’s gone.

Can He raise the faithful from the dead? He claimed He can. Then He raised Lazarus.

Will His plan and His promises be fulfilled? Can a zealous politically motivated world leader mess up God’s plan and prevent it from being carried out? Xi? Putin? The Ayatollah? Kim Jong Un? A unification of all four against the west? Can the POTUS? NO!

God will use the decisions of Pagan, unbelieving world leaders, who are politically motivated to accomplish His spiritual purposes. We can’t even mess up His plan for us. We can only mess up our own lives.

And, He’s promised to return to set up His kingdom on earth. It will better than the US ever has been. it will a welcome place for people throughout history and from all over.

But, is He still coming again? What should we watch for? How should we prepare?

This is where we are today. Don’t become complacent. Keep your spiritual ‘go-bag’ ready so you are prepared to go on a moment’s notice when Jesus returns. Don’t worry about watching for the right conditions for it to happen. You’ll know when it happens. It will be quick, obvious, and final.

Really, the only thing that is a must in your spiritual ‘go-bag’ is your faith in Jesus. If you’ve got that packed then you’re ready to go. Anything else might be helpful, but is unnecessary.

We’re in Luke 17 this morning. And the first question comes to Jesus about His second coming from a group who do not believe. In fact, there is accusation in their question. But, Jesus was clear in His answer about what they needed to do to be ready. B/C, they were not ready at all at that time.

The 1 Necessity

Luke 17:20–21 NIV

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Most important in these 2 verses is to understand the question posed to Him came from those who do not have faith. They are not believers. They are accusing Him of being an imposter and are trying to entrap Him and prove His deception.

It’s not working.

On the surface, this is a logical question. He had been telling everyone the Kingdom of God is at hand. That is, it is near. They were thinking in a temporal sense. In a short amount of time it would be established.

But, what Jesus meant was in a locational sense. He is the King of the Kingdom. And wherever He is, the Kingdom is also right there.

So, His answer to them came from a perspective they were not prepared for.

He was standing right there, in their midst. If only they would come to faith, as a leadership group, leading the rank and file Jewish ppl to accept Jesus, too; then he was fully prepared to establish his kingdom right then.

But they didn’t do that. In fact, rather than considering acceptance, they were were scheming his death.

If He really is Who He says then He should prove it by establishing His kingdom right then. But the kingdom is not for those who don’t believe. So, if they don’t believe, then they won’t see it. Not then, not ever.

Jesus will est. a literal kingdom in the future, not just a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of ppl. Had the Jewish nation accepted Him, then He would have done it right then, right there. He was offering. But they rejected Him.

Even then Q was their skeptical rejection of Him.

They wanted to know what to watch for that would signal its arrival. They expected certain apocalyptic signs. But, they had missed all the signs so far. He was right there. He had proven He is Who He says He is in the miraculous He did. But the misinterpreted the signs. They saw them, but denied them.

They had seen enough. But they wanted more.

What they needed, what they lacked was faith. It was all they needed. It was the only thing they needed to pack in their ‘go-bag’ to be ready. They didn’t need to know what to watch for. They’d be prepared if only they believed.

Since we believe, there really is no need to hunt for it or watch for it. We are prepared. And since we are prepared, what else do we need to know?

The Timing

Luke 17:22–25 NIV

Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

First of all, there is a major shift in who He is talking to here. It was the unbelieving Pharisees. But now, He is addressing the believing disciples. So, the perspective changed dramatically.

Probably, the first question that comes to every believers mind on this issue is, When? When will it occur? What is the timing of the events to come? What should we be watching for so we can see it coming and be ready?

Jesus addressed this question w/out even being asked. He knew this would be on their mind.

The paradigm shift begins with the fact that since the Jewish nation rejected Jesus the Kingdom has been put off for a time. Had they accepted Him, He was prepared to establish and rule His earthly Kingdom right then. But now, not for some time.

He told these c.1 believing disciples that it would not happen in their lifetime. “You will not see it.”

They will want to. We want to. How many times have you said, heard another Xian say, “Come quickly Lord Jesus!” Put an end to all this madness. We want it to happen. I didn’t happen in their lifetime. It might in ours.

To them, and us, don’t be so eager for it to arrive that you fall for someone claiming that it’s here. Don’t be so eager that your will be this easily misled.

Back in the 90’s, there was a story circulating among Christians that the name William Jefferson Clinton in Hebrew numerology equaled 666. Therefore, President Clinton is the Anti-Christ and the end has begun.

Just last year, someone sent me a link to a video posted online of a preacher who was all excited exclaiming that the end had begun. We were then in the Great Tribulation period. He based this on the news that the Pope had signed a climate treaty w/ a number of nations agreeing to reduce carbon emissions.

The bible says, the tribulation will begin when the Anti-Christ signs a treaty w/ many. Supposedly, to bring peace to the middle east. But this preacher’s conclusion was, the Pope is the Anti-Christ and this climate treaty was THE treaty.

I don’t think President Clinton is the Anti-Christ. I don’t think the Pope is, either. The end hasn’t begun, yet. Don’t go running after these people and their inaccurate statements about the signs of the times.

Here, Jesus said, when it’s time, you’ll know. It will be obvious. It will be quick, light up the sky, w/out warning; like lightening. Thunder follows. Nothing precedes it. But when it happens, we all notice and know what’s going on.

Since there will be no real obvious signs leading up to the moment Jesus returns and the Kingdom is established, just be ready. It will be quick, bright, unmistakeable.

He said there was one thing that had to occur before He returned, He’d have to suffer and die first. W/out his death, there would be no kingdom population or salvation for believers.

Then, the discs would look ahead to this event. We look back at it. The one thing that had to occur, has. So now, just be ready.

And, since Jesus was talking to people who bel’d, He didn’t have to encourage them to come to Him like He did the Pharisees. They already had. Their ‘go-bag’ was already packed with their faith in Him. They were ready w/ the all they needed for when the time came.

So, basically, Jesus said don’t worry about when. Yes, keep your eye on the sky. Watch expectantly. But, don’t quit your day job. Don’t sell your possessions just yet. And, don’t be concerned about the first to predict His arrival. Everyone will know when it happens. Live your life ready for it and you’ll be just fine.

But, what will happen to those who are not ready. What about those who don’t believe, have no faith in their ‘go-bag’, if they have a bag at all. What about them. What will be the Nature of the coming Kingdom for those who are not ready to go?

The Nature

Luke 17:26–27 NIV

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

At this point Jesus stops addressing what Kingdom life will be like and focuses on what it will be like for those who are not ready and don’t make it.

Judgment will be the primary characteristic and nature of the coming kingdom for those who don’t have faith in Jesus and are left here to face the fire.

We think of the establishment of the kingdom and salvation. But the other side of this is destruction.

Jesus teaching here:

Luke 12:51 NIV

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

But He is the Prince of Peace. The angels declared peace on earth. Jesus said He gives peace to ppl. Yes, to all of that. But only to the faithful.

We tend to focus on the subset of the whole of humanity that has faith. But for that whole of humanity from the beginning of time, there are 2 subsets. One is faithful, believes in Jesus, will be saved and populate the kingdom.

The other subset is made up of ppl who do not believe, don’t have faith, will not be saved, but destroyed and left out of the kingdom. What of this second group?

He compared it to the days of Noah. Noah was a believer. God had revealed to Noah that it was going to rain and there would be a flood so he needed to build a boat to accommodate 2 of every species and every human that believed and chose to be saved, too.

The old man built a boat! While he was building the boat, he warned the ppl about what God said was going to happen.

Did you know it had never rained before the flood? The atmosphere was totally different. Water had never fallen from the sky. And since it had never happened, they ignored his message and ridiculed the man for what He was doing.

Life went on as normal. They went to work. They got married. Had kids. Partied. They accepted their lifestyle as normal. No thoughts of God nor judgment. It was a complete rejection of Him.

They were totally unprepared for the disaster. They watched the boat take form. Watched the animals, 2 x 2 stroll up and in. They watched Noah and his family walk up the ramp, thru the door, close and seal the door. The ppl laughed and joked the whole time.

Then, it started to rain. And water covered the earth. There was no escape. Everyone who did not get on the boat perished in the flood.

That’s what’s going to happen when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom to those who are not prepared and don’t get in.

Then, Jesus similarly compared it to the days of Lot. Lot lived in Sodom. The ppl of Sodom were a decadent bunch. Ungodly, immoral, unethical. There was no mass monogamy. The lifestyle was multiple partners, at the same time, orgies, hallucinogens, whatever drugs they drank or took wrecked their lives. They ridiculed anyone who believed in God and obeyed his commands.

The Lord showed up one day and told Lot and his family to go! There was no ready or set. They had no time. They escaped with the clothes on their backs was all. Then, his wife stopped and looked back. She didn’t just look back. She longed to be back in that ungodly lifestyle.

So, when the fire rained down from heaven, she got caught up in it and got destroyed, too.

When the quick, bright, obvious, and predicted return of Jesus occurs; for those who do not believe, this is their lot. It will be final. They had their chances and chose not to follow Noah nor Lot to safety.

If it happens in our lifetime, what should be our response? We wish everyone would respond this way. But for those who do have faith, what is the appropriate response when we see Jesus return?

The Response

Luke 17:31–35 NIV

On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”

When you’re told to go, go. Go quickly. Get away. Flee.

I don’t think there will be a strong draw to stay knowing what’s coming. But, either way, don’t hesitate.

Evacuate immediately. If there is a ‘Ready, Set, God’ equivalent, go at set. Don’t wait to go.

Let your stuff go.

That can be hard. To see the ppl struggling b/c they lost all their stuff. We can’t pretend that won’t hurt. But perspective is important here. It’s stuff. And stuff will be replaced.

Jesus’ point here is to be willing to let it all go. Give up what have to get what He offers. Yes, it will hurt to leave behind everything you worked hard to get. But what you will get in the kingdom will be so much better and nicer than anything you couldn’t take with you that it will ease whatever pain and grief you feel.

Judgment will be quick. 2 ppl will be together and 1 will be taken to heaven the other left to face the fire. Everyone will be living their lives, do their normal daily or nightly thing. It will be sudden. But when it happens, don’t look back.

So, get your spiritual ‘go-bag’ packed and ready. The only thing you need is your faith. No bag is big enough to take all your stuff. It doesn’t take much of a bag to take your faith.

So, get busy living your life. Watch the sky expectantly. But don’t be so preoccupied with watching for Jesus’ return you get yourself fired from your job. Do the work that needs to be done.

It’s been a long time since Jesus was here the first time. But just b/c it’s been a long time doesn’t mean it will never happen.

Don’t get caught unprepared. You’ll know when it happens. Be ready to go. We’ll all meet where it’s safe and secure for the rest of time.

Applications

Live Your Life

I had a seminary prof who used to say, “Don’t be so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good.”

Take care of you marriage, your family. Do your job. Be a good steward of your money. Give. Serve. Study. Do what needs to be done.

At the same time, don’t be surprised, don’t get caught off guard, watch the sky expectantly for His return.

Live your life. Take care of your responsibilities. You’ll know when it happens.

Don’t Get Carried Away

Every few years there’s a new story about how the end has begun. Don’t chase those stories. You’ll know. It will be obvious. It does no one any good for those stories to circulate among Xian circles.

Let it happen when it happens. And give the stories you hear about the beginning of the end your skeptical eyebrow.

Be Ready

The only thing you need packed in your ‘go-bag’ is your faith. Please make sure, if you have not already, choose to believe in Jesus so that when the time comes, you are as ready as you need to be.

Jesus will come and divide us. There will be 2 subgroups. One made up of ppl who have faith who will be taken into the Kingdom. The other made up of ppl who do not believe who will be left to face the fire. It will not go well for these.

Be ready. Be ready to go on the set order. Don’t wait or hesitate for go.

I hope every time you see this “Ready, Set, Go’ program represented, not only will think about being prepared to escape the danger of a forest fire; but also you will think about being prepared to escape the fire of judgement.

Be ready. Get you go-bag packed.

It’s been a long time. His second coming has never happened before. It won’t be like his first coming.

Don’t get caught like the ppl of CA who were not prepared for the worst fires in the history of LA. Just b/c they hadn’t happened before obviously did not mean they would never happen.

Don’t become complacent. Keep your spiritual ‘go-bag’ ready so you are prepared to go on a moment’s notice when Jesus returns. Don’t worry about watching for the right conditions for it to happen. You’ll know when it happens. It will be quick, obvious, and final.

Really, the only thing that is a must in your spiritual ‘go-bag’ is your faith in Jesus. If you’ve got that packed then you’re ready to go. Anything else might be helpful, but is unnecessary.