A Whole New Take

I have always found the subject of the End Times fascinating, but lately it's beginning to rumble around inside in a disturbing way. As long as I considered it far off in the future - a "someday" event not likely to affect me or my family - I had little problem with the concepts involved. But now that I am beginning to put concrete reality to it - and to consider the fact that my children and grandchildren are going to face this FOR REAL - I find an awful feeling running around in the pit of my stomach. How I wish there was some other way! I want to see Jesus return; I know that is good and right and wonderful. But nothing in me wants to see the terrible events of the Book of Revelation break out on the earth. I can hardly pass an individual in a store or on a sidewalk without wanting to grab them and shake them awake. I see a family in a park and I want to interrupt them to warn them of what is ahead. And - I think this is a normal reaction and is going to continue - even increase.
Really - you get a whole new take on this subject once you start putting names or faces into it. It takes it out of academics and into real life. I find it stirs up a heart-cry to the Lord no matter where I am or what I'm doing. I think we will all find ourselves groaning - yes, groaning - for the salvation of souls not too many seasons from now and I think we will ALL be trumpeting the Lord's return to everyone we meet before that awesome Day dawns.