False Alarms

It was one of the most pleasant dreams imaginable. Imagine, for one moment, a beautiful field. This field is covered in a blanket of flowers of all varieties. In the distance, you heard the sound of a bird chirping. A gentle breeze blows against your back as the sun wraps its arms of warmth around you. For one moment you are at peace with the pristine picture of paradise for at least one person when the permanent pulsing of the color read permeates your being. This happened to me one night while in Pigeon Forge, TN. I was there with many other members of the church for a winter retreat. It was around three in the morning when the sound of an alarm woke my roommate and me from our slumber. It was a loud piercing sound but was not the alarm clock set off as a prank. Instead, it was the fire alarm within the room going off. There was a moment of panic at first as I thought the hotel or at least our room was on fire. Thankfully, it was not. After a phone call to the front desk we realized this was just a false alarm, fixed the alarm, and went to sleep.

False alarms are dangerous things. They put individuals into a needless panic over something that never comes to pass. It also wears away at an individual until he or she believes that someone is “crying wolf” and refuses to believe it when the truth is staring at them. One of the most famous false alarms that is all too prevalent within our society is the idea that Jesus Christ is coming at a specified date. Throughout history men have claimed that Christ will return at a certain time and date with no results to show forth from it. One of the most famous instances occurred a few years back when Harold Camping claimed that Christ would return on May 21^st and then October 21^st. Deuteronomy 18:22 comes to mind. This may seem as a spoiler alert but it (as of this writing) January 23^rd, 2014. It never came to pass. Yet many individuals went into a panic. Far too many either put themselves into immense debt or wasted the college fund of their children in order to do “last minute things” here on earth. A false alarm hurt those who listened in a number of ways. These false alarms will also cause others to mock and scoff at the idea of it ever coming.

What should we do instead of following after false alarms? First, we need to remember the words of Christ. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matt. 24:36). When someone sounds the alarm saying that Christ is returning on a certain date, remember that no man knows and will never know the exact date. We ought to remember that Paul wrote to the congregation at Thessalonica saying that we do not need to know. “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thess. 5:1-3). There was no need for Paul to write concerning the “times and seasons” of the return of Christ (cf. 1. Thess. 4:13-18). He reminds these brethren that the return of Christ will be like a thief in the night who comes when is least expected. He also compares it to the pregnant woman suddenly giving birth. Those who are pregnant know they will, Lord willing, give birth to a healthy child. They do not know exactly when. Since the date of His return was not important and since it will come at a moment which is unexpected, what should the Christian do? Be prepared for His return. “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:6). If one is prepared, a false alarm will never be cause for panic.