BY JACK WARD
Pastor Bruce D. Weaver and his wife drove to pick up their son from Vacation Bible School. The sky was growing dark and there was a storm watch in effect, but no rain was falling yet. The theme of their upcoming Vacation Bible School was Noah’s ark and the flood, so he joked with some of the adult leaders about going to great lengths with special effects this year.
By the time he arrived home with his wife and son, the wind was blowing fiercely, and lightning bolts were crackling all around them. They hurried inside the house and began to shut the windows.
Within a few moments they were without electrical power. They tucked their son into bed, trying not to betray their concern regarding the severe weather conditions outside. Suddenly the telephone rang. It was their neighbor informing them that a “tornado warning” had been issued for their area. That meant a funnel cloud actually had been sighted somewhere near.
Weaver asked him why the siren in their small town was not sounding. The neighbor said the siren could not be sounded due to a power outage. He further explained that he had heard on his police scanner instructions for everyone who could hear the scanner to call their neighbors to inform them of the “tornado warning.”
Weaver was thankful for his concern and he was also thankful that the funnel cloud sighted damaged neither his family nor anyone else in their area.
Later that evening, Pastor Weaver thought about his neighbor’s concern for his safety and he reflected upon his own concern, or lack thereof, for his neighbors. But it is all the more important to inform neighbors that a “code red” has been issued by God, because in due time Jesus Christ will return.
Matthew 25:13: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” In Matthew 25 is the parable of the 10 virgins. The bridegroom would come and get his bride at a time when he felt the bride would be less prepared. This was a test of her devotion to him. After the engagement the bridegroom would go and prepare a place for his bride and him to dwell. When it was ready he would come for her at a time when she knew not. Matthew 24:44: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
A code red has been issued by the signs all around us. Not only signs that are obvious, Israel’s return, apostasy in the church, evil men waxing worse and worse, but we know in our hearts that Jesus will return soon. We must sound the warning that a storm is coming upon this world, a time as Jesus said in Matthew 24:21: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday morning at 10:30 on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and our website at tomahawkmbc.com.