Are you watching the road signs...or the billboards?

II Kings 23:1-3

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." And He told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you, likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may have strength to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

In Christ Jesus, our Advent King, Dear Fellow-Redeemed,

Do the billboards along our freeways bother you as much as they bother me? Between visits to nearby towns, trips to conferences and whatnot, I spend a lot of time on the highway, and I've got to tell you - those billboards drive me crazy! You know the ones I'm talking about. "See the Rushmore-Borglum Story!" "Visit the Amazing Crystal Caves!" The Corn Palace, Pioneer Auto Museum, Reptile Gardens...they're hundreds of them here in South Dakota, and they're all so tacky! They accomplish their purpose, though - they catch your eye. I can't help reading them again every time I go by one. In fact, it's happened to me a couple of times that I've missed important road signs because I was looking at those billboards. More than once I've had to double back because I missed the sign for the exit I wanted.

Every human being in this world, whether he knows it or not, is travelling down the road toward Judgement Day. There are road signs all along the way, telling us we're getting closer. But there are also lots of distracting billboards. Keeping our eye on the road signs, and ignoring the billboards is important. It will help us make sure we're prepared for when we finally arrive at that fateful day. So today I'm asking you the question,

"ARE YOU WATCHING THE ROAD SIGNS ...OR THE BILLBOARDS?"

In the beginning of our text, Jesus runs down a list of several important road signs that will tell people when Judgement Day is near. And then, in the middle of His discussion, He tells us a parable, "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you, likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near." You know how the trees are toward the end of March or so... the twigs get all knobby with buds. It's one of the things that tells us spring is here - and summer's just around the corner. It's obvious, right?

Just as obvious, Jesus says, are the signs of a coming Judgement for all mankind. Like clearly-marked road signs, right there for everyone to see. So how come so many people seem to miss them? All the unbelievers and quite a few of the Christians in our day and age are zooming right by God's road signs without even giving them a glance. Why?

Because of those distracting billboards! Our text says, "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth." All the different cares and pleasures of this life are like so many gaudy, colorful billboards. They distract our attention. Try as we might, we can't help gazing at them as we pass. The world isn't concerned with the Judgement Day that God tells us is right around the corner. The world is concerned with the here and now! "How much money can I make? How big a house can I buy? When's my next promotion? When's my next vacation? How much fun can I have?" And on and on, people get wrapped up in what this world has to offer, even though the signs say that this world is fast coming to an end.

The road doesn't go on forever. Sooner than we think (maybe much sooner!), we'll reach the end of the road. Judgment Day, when Jesus will suddenly arrive back here on earth. And it will be very sudden, "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." -- Matt 24:27. That day will come "like a snare," Jesus says. It will be like a trap suddenly closing on all those people. People who were too busy with the cares and pleasures of this life to listen to God's Word about the next life. So busy looking at the billboards, that they missed the road signs!

What about you? Are you watching the billboards...or the road signs? Don't you often find yourself getting pretty involved with your little world? Money, your health, your home, your hobbies? So involved, in fact, that sometimes your attention to these things sort of nudges out the attention you should be paying to God's Word? Some of these things are important, some less important. But none of them should be so important that they make us miss God's road signs about the coming Judgement. Maybe we've been staring at those billboards too long. It's time to wake up! Repent! Read the signs!

Yes, read God's road signs! It's not too late. Judgement Day hasn't come yet, but if you read the signs, you'll see right off the bat that it can't be far away! Jesus says, "There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." According to all these signs, Judgement Day could easily come today or tomorrow! "Signs in the sun, moon and stars?" How about the recent increase in sun spot activity, and the spectacular passing, some years ago, of Halley's Comet! "Distress of nations?" At what time in the world's history has there ever been more distress of nations? Look at the wars in the Middle East, the former Czech republics, and Central America! "Men's hearts failing them for fear of what is coming?" Look at the concern over nuclear war. People the world over are dying of fright that someone's going to push the wrong button and start a nuclear holocaust! One thing's for sure - it certainly doesn't take a prophet to see that the Lord could be coming back at any moment!

Yes, read the signs! Because for us believers, they are road signs of life! The coming Judgement isn't a trap for us. We've got nothing to fear. We've been washed in the blood of the Lamb! For us, Judgement Day is a doorway to unending happiness! That's why Jesus has special Judgement Day instructions for us believers: He says, "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." When that moment comes, the last trumpet sounds, and Jesus appears in the clouds like a bolt of lightning, then lift up your heads and shout for joy! After all, it's the Day we've been waiting for. The day when we finally cash in on that great love of God which was manifested in Christ Jesus. It will be the dawn of eternity. An eternity that we believers will spend enjoying the fruits of the redemption Jesus earned for us on the cross!

The road signs of Judgement are not hard to find. Unfortunately, they are easy to miss, if we let ourselves be distracted by all the cares and pleasures of this life. That's why Jesus tells us to "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may have strength to escape all these things." He has promised to hear our prayers and to strengthen us through His Word unto everlasting life. His Word is a treasure that will not be taken from us, but will always be with us to guide us to that Day, as He promised, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." Let's pay attention to that Word! Read the road signs! Let's lift up our heads, for our Redemption is drawing near!

It's the Advent Season. The time when we look forward once again to the coming of the Christchild to Bethlehem. Christmas is only eighteen days away! During this holiday season, let's remember to look forward, as well, to the second coming of Christ. Watch the road signs, not the billboards! For us, that Day will be even happier than Christmas, and it may come...even sooner! "Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus." Amen.