The Knock

Should You Be Worried?

Have you ever been rousted out of bed by an unexpected, urgent knock at your door? Instantly, your heart races and you hurriedly react. If this has happened to you, I hope it was a minor event that you handled in stride. In this age of rampant crime, including home invasions, the security alarm business prospers as people attempt to protect themselves and their property. Sophisticated systems are now available to let you know who is at your door, even when you are not at home.

Even the words of the Bible address this subject. For example, Jesus said it this way: “When the strong man in armour guards his homestead, his property is undisturbed” (Luke 11:21, Moffatt New Translation). Solomon wisely gave this advice: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself” (Proverbs 27:12).

Most people are mindful of their exposure to physical loss and try to prevent damage or injury, or provide for coverage. An array of insurance plans and warranties is available to accomplish this goal.

Spiritual Urgency

While we value physical safety and financial security, what about spiritual matters—our values, morals and relationship with God? In the press of busy, activity-filled lives, we often overlook this vital dimension entirely or allow it only a very minor place in our prioroties. This is not a new phenomenon. Jesus asks us in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” He warned that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

In the marketplace, the halls of government, and our academic institutions, it seems that knowledge or discussion of the God of the Bible and Jesus Christ as the Messiah is simply off limits. Many in news media, entertainment, and business disdain any reference to the Creator.

Exceptions exist, of course, but they are few and feeble. Much of mainstream Christianity has begun to accept same-sex marriage, “fluid” gender identifications, and related concepts as morally acceptable, rejecting direct biblical prohibitions. Charges of sexual abuse and shocking admissions of wrongdoing plague many prominent and well-known religious denominations.

There is a groundswell of concern as people see their lives and culture being adversely affected by the deviate, profligate activities all around them. “What to do?” is a very relevant question at this juncture in history. The answers are found in a book that is probably on a bookshelf in their homes. The Prophet Isaiah made it very plain; “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6–7).

In dealing with the religious establishment of His day, Jesus bluntly quoted Isaiah: “Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (Matthew 13:14–15).

Tomorrow’s World speaks and explains the Bible’s eternal truths regularly on television, over the Internet, and in print. If you are reading and understanding these important subjects, then God may be opening your mind—as only He can. With hearing and understanding these truths comes a responsibility.

Jesus’ words in the Book of Revelation bring a sharp focus: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:20–22).

Do you hear the knock?