I can still remember my first real job as a teenager. I lived in a small town where there was a pattern shop that did quiet a bit of business. For those who do not know what a pattern shop is, it is a woodworking shop that makes wooden patterns that are used by foundries to make metal castings. I lived just up the street and so I could walk to work every day after school and on Saturdays. For me, it was a dream job working around these master woodworkers. My duties where to clean everything, paint whatever I was asked to paint and do other odd jobs. In general, I was cheap labor to help keep up the maintenance and such. Like any new job, I was excited to go to work every day and just be there. After about 6 months, things started to change as the excitement began to wear off. During the summer, I was taken on full time, 40 hours a week. As a teenager, I began to realize how working 40 hours a week can really cut into your fun time. That is when it started to happen, the clock watching. I could usually make it through the morning till break and finally to lunch. It would be tough getting to afternoon break and from afternoon break until quitting time, it would be brutal. That is when the clock watching really kicked in. It was amazing how slow the time went as the minutes dragged by until I could grab my timecard and punch out and do some fun stuff. I am sure many of you have had a similar experience.

Today, most Christians are aware that the Scriptures speak of the return of Jesus Christ. So, is it any wonder that with all that is taking place today, there is a tremendous amount of interest in the coming Rapture? I can tell you from personal experience that for the last fifty years there has been a lot of talk and even some attempts at date setting. All with no success. But today, there is something else starting to come about that I find really puzzling and that is the speculation dates. I have watched some of the videos on YouTube of people trying to set dates. Sometimes I like to comment and ask them if they are wrong, can we come and stone them as false prophets. But I was really surprised to hear several people defend their date setting with the argument that it was just Biblical speculation. They felt that they were justified in their date setting if they used clues and numbers from the Scripture to narrow in on the date of Jesus return. They claimed that they were not being prophetical, just calculating, and that this was OK. One person in particular was suggesting 5:42 PM June 28, 2021. I think that these may be Christian clock watchers.

I am fully aware that the Scriptures say that we are to watch for the return of the Master. I think it has more to do with being aware than to stand on a hilltop and look to the clouds until Jesus appears. The idea of “being aware” would go hand in hand with the Scriptures that say we are to make our calling and election sure and that we are to examine ourselves to see if we are found to be “in the way”, meaning following Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. The Scriptures also say that we are to “wait upon the Lord”. I once heard about an old timer who was explaining this verse. He said that to him, it meant that we are to “wait upon the Lord” like waiting tables in a restaurant. I kind of like that idea. So, while we wait for the return of Jesus, maybe if we are working (waiting upon the Lord with our towel over our arm) the clock will eventually reach the appointed hour and the waiting will not seem so long. If you are busy working while being aware that He may return at any moment, then it would be good that He finds you busy and not standing around watching the clock. Don’t you think?