One of the most interesting books I have read this year is the biography of Frank Worsley, the navigator for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition in 1915. Entitled Shackleton’s Captain, by John Thomson, the book tells the fascinating story of how their ship, the Endurance, became ice-bound, and was eventually crushed by ice floes.
The crew had no choice but to make their way back to open water by dragging three life boats over the ice and snow, then to cross rough winter seas to Elephant Island. Shackleton took four crew members, including Worsley, with him to sail away on one of the lifeboats to try to get help. The rest of the crew camped on Elephant Island, awaiting his return.
Navigating by the stars, over 800 miles, Worsley guided the 23 foot vessel to South Georgia Island where there was a Norwegian whaling camp. The journey was fraught with danger and took a month. Shackleton was able to secure a small ship to go back to Elephant Island. Desperate to rescue his companions, he found to his dismay that the seas were frozen over and his men were cut off. Three times he tried to reach them, to no avail.
Finally, after five months had elapsed, they discovered a narrow channel through the ice. He guided his ship to the island, and he was delighted to find his men alive and well and prepared for his return.
After the excitement of the reunion subsided, and they were on their way home to England, Sir Ernest inquired how it was that they were ready to get aboard so promptly. They told him that every morning their leader rolled up his sleeping bag saying, “Get your things ready, boys, the boss may come today.”
When Jesus promised, “I will come again,” his character and faithfulness were a guarantee that he will keep his word. His return is much more certain than Shackleton’s return to Elephant Island. Over and over again, the Bible tells us to expect his return. About one out of every 25 verses alludes to the Lord’s second coming.
One of the first prophesies in the Bible is about the second coming. Jude quotes Enoch as saying, “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone” (Jude 14-15). The last prophecy in the Bible is the promise of Jesus, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me. . . . Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:12, 20).
The confident expectation of Jesus’ second coming is the believer’s “blessed hope.” It should motivate us to look for him, to live for him, and to love him. Because he could come at any time, we should be ready to meet him when he comes.
The Scottish preacher Horatius Bonar would repeat to himself as he prepared to retire for the night, “Perhaps tonight, Lord!” In the morning, as he looked out on the dawn of a new day, he would say, “Perhaps today, Lord!” He ministered as a pastor for over 60 years. He expected the Lord to return at any moment.
So should we.
Pastor Randy Faulkner