Forever is composed of “nows”

"People were not created merely to live here on earth like animals that disappear after their death, but to live with God and in God, and to live not for a hundred or a thousand years, but to live eternally." -- Bishop Innocent of Alaska

Gospel text (Lk 21,29-33):
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
"Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away."

Imagine you thought today was Thanksgiving Day and you wondered where the turkey was. Did anyone ever call you at 3AM and ask if they woke you? These are situations where people have no sense of time.

This time warp is even worse in spiritual reality. Some people think they have years to go but really they have only minutes. Others expect our civilization and lifestyle to last forever, although history indicates just the opposite. Some think the "thousand year" millennium mentioned in Revelation hasn't started; others think it's about to end (Rv 20:3, 6). Some believe there's no chance of Jesus' final coming today; others say "soon and very soon." Jesus says: "Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. You observe them when they are budding, and know for yourselves that summer is near. Likewise when you see all the things happening of which I speak, know that the reign of God is near" (Lk 21:29-31).

What time is it? "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2) "It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near" (Rm 13:11-12). "You are not in the dark, brothers, that the day should catch you off guard, like a thief" (1 Thes 5:4).

"Therefore let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!" (1 Thes 5:6) God is signaling for a time-out. Time will be out and eternity will be in.