Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:13

It's Monday, and you are reading today's Daily Devotion. I hope.

I hope you are reading this devotion, because if you're not, I've done a lot of work for nothing.

You see, according to a story carried last week by ABC News, prophet Yisrayl, also known as Buffalo Bill Hawkins, has predicted the beginning of a nuclear war on June 12th.

So, are you here? As I said, I hope so. In truth, Hawkins, who is headquartered in Abilene, Texas, is just the most recent in a long line of modern-day prophets who predict gloom, doom, disaster, and the end of life, as we know it.

That isn't amazing. What is amazing is people believe such self-appointed predictors of calamity. People believed Buffalo Bill when he promised the beginning of the end would come on September 12, 2006. Hundreds of his devotees in Kenya hid in basement bomb shelters and donned gas masks as they waited. When the war didn't happen, they went home embarrassed.

This prediction has brought about hundreds of truck trailers loaded with food and water on the group's 44-acre compound.

If you're reading this, they were wrong.

Although history has produced a great many false prophets, we need to realize Jesus was quite definite when He said, "you know neither the day nor the hour."

Jesus is coming. You can count on it.

From the time God first gave the promise of a Savior to our first, fallen ancestors it took thousands of years before His prophecy was fulfilled. Now Jesus has told us He is coming. He just hasn't told us when. That day may be soon or thousands of years hence.

This is why those who have been brought to faith in the Savior, who lived, suffered, died, and rose to save us believe in being ready for that unknown hour. It's better than trusting ourselves to the unprophetic utterances from men like Buffalo Bill.

Of course, Hawkins' followers did one thing right: they did get ready. That is an example we should follow, but not by filling up truck trailers with stuff. Our readiness should be seen in a life of repentance and spiritual preparedness for the Savior's unknown returning.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there will be a lot of people who have been disappointed the end hasn't come and nuclear war didn't start on June 12th. Although their faith in a man might be shaken, may they, like us, trust You and Your return. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 16-18    Acts 2:22-47

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