Leo sat on the porch steps, staring up at the fluffy white clouds. Beside him, his grandfather, whom everyone called Pop, was gently carving a piece of cedar wood.
“Pop?” Leo asked, shielding his eyes from the afternoon sun. “In Sunday school today, the teacher said Jesus is coming back on the clouds one day. Is that like… a secret thing? Or will it be on the news?”
Pop smiled, setting down his carving knife. “No secrets, Leo. Think of it like this: have you ever been in your room when a massive bolt of lightning flashes across the whole sky?”
“Yeah! It lights up my whole wall, even with the blinds closed,” Leo said.
“Exactly,” Pop said. “That’s how Jesus described it in the Book of Matthew. He said His return will be so bright and sudden, from the east all the way to the west, that every single eye will see Him at the exact same time. No one will need to check the news. Everyone will just know.”
Leo looked back up at the sky, trying to picture it. “But when? Next week? Next year?”
Pop shook his head. “That’s the big secret. Jesus said that not even the angels in heaven know the exact day or hour—only God the Father knows. But He did give us a few clues in the Bible to look out for.”
“Like what?” Leo asked, leaning in.
Pop held up his thumb. “First, Jesus said the good news about His kingdom has to be told to every single nation on earth so everyone gets a chance to hear it.” He held up a index finger. “Second, things on earth will get pretty chaotic and tough for a while, and the Bible says even the sun and moon will look dark and strange.”
“Sounds a little scary,” Leo muttered.
“It can sound that way,” Pop said softly, putting a reassuring hand on Leo’s shoulder. “But the story ends in the happiest way possible. The Bible says a loud trumpet will blast from the sky—the loudest, most beautiful sound you’ve ever heard. And guess where Jesus’ feet will land?”
“Where?”
“Right on a real hill in Jerusalem called the Mount of Olives. The exact same place He stood before He went up to heaven.” Pop smiled. “And the best part? Everyone who loves Him and follows Him, whether they are alive or have already passed away, will be gathered together. The Bible says we will be changed ‘in the twinkling of an eye’—faster than you can blink—to be with Him forever where there’s no more sadness, pain, or crying.”
Leo blinked his eyes fast, three times, making Pop laugh.
“So,” Leo said, looking at the big blue sky with a smile instead of a frown, “we just have to keep sharing God’s love and be ready?”
“You got it, buddy,” Pop said, picking his woodcarving back up. “We just live right, love others, and keep watching the clouds.”
Leave a Reply