The Lord's coming will be sudden and unexpected, catching the world off guard and marking the beginning of a new age.
In this sermon by Charles S. Price, the urgency and suddenness of Christ's glorious appearing are emphasized, highlighting the need for readiness at any moment without delay or procrastination. The message stresses the unpredictability and swift nature of His return, urging believers to be prepared and vigilant. The imagery of speed, rhythm, and suddenness in Christ's coming is vividly portrayed, emphasizing the imminent and unexpected nature of His arrival. The sermon also echoes the call for the Spirit and the Bride to eagerly anticipate and welcome the return of Jesus, likening it to the dawn breaking after a long night of waiting.
Text
Suddenly! Without warning! Not in an hour that we have planned but in a moment we think not! (Matt. 24:44). The great event of history is about to occur...We cannot read the biblical account of Christ's glorious appearing without coming in contact with the elements of speed and rhythm. It will be suddenly that the Lord will appear--any moment! It will not necessarily be five--ten--or fifty years from now, but at any moment.
Are You Ready?
There will be no time to make preparation. It was suddenly at the midnight hour when the cry came, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh" (Matt. 25:6). No time then to get oil in the lamps. No time left in which to make preparation which should have been made during the days of the past. When He comes, He will come suddenly.
The speed of it and the rhythm of it--and the suddenness of it will catch the world unprepared and unawares. The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple.
Do you think that when He comes again He will call a conference of prime ministers to form methods of procedure and plans whereby an ultimate peace can be worked out? How long did it take Galilee to quiet itself after He had spoken the Word? The storm caught the cadence of His voice. The tempest heard the Word that fell from His lips. The angry wind listened to the rhythm of His command--and something happened. Did the wind commence to die and after a few hours of struggle and striving, the forces of nature adjust themselves to become obedient to His Word? One minute it was a storm. The next minute it was a calm. Between the storm and the calm, He spoke!
Suddenly! Without warning! That is how His coming will be. There will be no warning from the skies; nothing but warnings such as I am trying to give now...Instantly! Suddenly! Without any additional warning, one age will be over and another age will have begun. Heaven is prepared although the world is not. We do not profess to know the hour. We do not profess to be able to name the day. But within there is a still, small voice that keeps whispering, "Lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).
The Spirit and the Bride Say, "Come!"
Do you remember when Jesus, the Holy One, came into the city riding on an ass? (Matt. 21:1-11). Riding in majesty, you say? No, He was riding in holy pomp to die. This time when He comes, the clouds shall be His chariot, and death and famine and pestilence shall flee before His conquering tread.
Come, Thou once despised Jesus! Come, Thou Galilean King! I know it is night, but I am looking through the darkness toward the Golden East. Look, the Morning is breaking! Let the old age die.
Sermon Outline
- The Sudden Coming of the Lord
- The Speed and Rhythm of the Lord's Coming
- The World Will Be Unprepared
- The Lord's Coming Will Be Instantaneous
Key Quotes
“Suddenly! Without warning! Not in an hour that we have planned but in a moment we think not!” — Charles S. Price
“The speed of it and the rhythm of it--and the suddenness of it will catch the world unprepared and unawares.” — Charles S. Price
“Suddenly! Without warning! That is how His coming will be.” — Charles S. Price
Application Points
- We should be prepared for the Lord's coming at any moment, rather than waiting for a specific time or date.
- We should be aware of the signs of the Lord's coming and be ready to respond to His call.
- We should look forward to the Lord's coming with hope and anticipation, rather than fear or uncertainty.
