In one of his expeditions to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton left some of his men on Elephant Island with the intention of returning for them and take them back to England. He tried three times to get to them but could not because ice. Finally on the fourth try, he was could pass, he found a narrow channel to the island.
During one of his expedition to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton needed to leave some of his men on Elephant Island. He was going to return for them and bring them back to England, but he was unavoidably delayed. Three times he tried to get to them, but sadly, he couldn’t because the sea had frozen over. Finally on the fourth effort, he found a narrow channel through the ice toward the island.
To his surprise, he found his men waiting, packed and ready to board. As they were on their way home to England, he asked them, how they know to be ready? The crew told them that they didn’t know when he’d be back, but that every morning the leader of the men would roll up his sleeping back and say “Get your things ready, boys, the boss may come today.”
The return of the Lord Jesus to this earth is much more certain than Sir Shackleton’s return to Elephant Island. Christ’s promise to return to claim His redeemed is established upon His Word and His character. It is still “the blessed hope” of all who love Him—a hope that will not fail.
Luke 12:35-40 says, 35 Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks…38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready… 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
The second coming is our great hope. It is a hope that is sure and certain. No ice, storm or global condition will delay that event (Heb. 10:37). There will be no attempts for this event, it will be a reality the first time. My prayer is that each one of us, like those men on Elephant Island, get up every morning, ready to live in faith, on faith and by faith. May each day of equal to those men the Elephant Island, we get up every morning ready to live in faith, on faith, and faith. May the Savior find in us daily, hearts ready to receive him and also ready for that glorious day.