Then, Patty wakes up. She sighs with relief that it was only a dream. Then she hears a report on the radio that millions of people have disappeared. Patty frantically searches for her husband only to find him missing too. Patty then realizes too late that the Rapture has indeed occurred and she's been left behind.

This film includes Larry Norman's composition 'I Wish We'd All Been Ready', one of the earliest Christian rock hits and one of Norman's best-known releases. 

Now you may not buy into this kind of eschatology and feel that this kind of dramatic representation sensationalizes the question of the Second Coming or Advent of Christ. However, one important aspect to this message is captured in Larry Norman’s words, 'I Wish We’d All Been Ready' – Both Paul and Jesus are concerned that Christians do not lose sight of the fact that Jesus is coming again!

Rapture OR not. Mark Of The Beast OR not. These may be debated, but the one sure fact is that Jesus will return! Both Paul and Jesus, do not want us to become weary and give up following and metaphorically fall asleep. Matthew’s gospel records these words, Matthew 24:36-44 on the subject of The Necessity for Watchfulness 24:36 but about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking it will never happen or it is going to happen on such and such a date.

With the turn of the Millennium there was considerable hype and hysteria about the end of the world and the second coming of Christ. We were attending a Messianic Fellowship in Whitefield, North Manchester and a very nice well meaning gentleman distributed a book written by an Australian, that claimed that the end was nigh. He had been to considerable personal expense to have it printed and then distributing the book warning Christians. The next thing he came over to me one Saturday after the meeting and said that he had two vacuum cleaners for me. We were delighted with his gift, but troubled by the book. It was very sensational and its theology was very speculative and faulty.

The Millennium came and went and so did the man – not only had he given away most of his possessions, wound up his business affairs, but now was unable to face the fact that his sincere actions were based on a faulty interpretation of Scripture. His disappearance is perfectly understandable [maybe there was a secret rapture just for him and others who had been taken up with this foolishness?] Joking aside, what a shame and sadness. Even when he was challenged about the book he would not listen. A high price to pay for following an illusion. He is not the first and certainly will not be the last, who will fall into such an erroneous interpretation of Scripture and the purposes of God. The Seventh Day Adventists base an aspect of their teaching on the prediction and calculations for the date of the return of Christ on the speculations of a Mr Miller (aka - Millerites). The Jehovah Witnesses also have a faulty eschatology to mention only a few misguided movements.

¹¹”You must do this (love one another…vs. 8b), because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed.” Good News Bible – Romans 13:11-14

How busy are we at showing love to one another? Having a good eschatology and not showing a Christ-like life of loving and caring for others means that we will fail the litmus test of love! Having good doctrine and bad practice means that we are hypocrites – tough stuff – let’s get real.

Paul is not talking about physical sleep, but spiritual slumber/ a state of inactivity or dormancy which leads to carelessness and sinfulness. Many say Christ is not coming back, so eat drink and be merry – let’s have a party and live it up!

When asked about when he thought the Lord was to return the great John Wesley said that we should live our lives in such a way that Christ may come today, but also to fully engage with life in such as way that he may come back in a hundred years time!  

Are you going to study at university, take a new job, buy a new home, start a new course of action, then do it, but do not fall asleep to the reality that Jesus is coming again and it is soon! How 'soon' is soon?

And therein lies the big debate and also the cause of so much speculation among believers and unbelievers alike. A call to holiness of living. This should be the main motivation in our lives, not a life of ease and sinfulness, but rather one of holiness and watchfulness!

^'Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.' Matthew 24:44.

Advent then is a season of two-fold anticipation – we anticipate Christmas and the joyous season when families get together and celebrate. But the church in her wisdom, also has this season of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the church year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent then is the season of hope and anticipation.

God bless you this Advent season. A Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Rev Roni Mechanic.  vicar@saintmartins-stockport.org.uk