COMING SOON: JESUS AND THE BLACK BEAR DINER

The Soul Anchor [Hebrews 6:19] - June 1, 2025

In February I made plans for a birthday celebration with a friend at the new Black Bear Diner on the corner of Melrose and Vista Way - when it opened. Some four months later I recently drove by and it still hasn’t opened which makes me wonder what their definition of “Soon!” is.

Not surprisingly, I’m not the only one to notice. Yesterday there was a Nextdoor post with a picture of the site posing the question, “Will this place ever open?” In the comments multiple potential reasons were given for the delay; the franchise is going bankrupt, they need the windows to be delivered, building permit or liquor license issues and of course the obvious reason that bears do hibernate. Whatever the reason the Black Bear diner is not yet open, the only things we have to do while we are waiting are to make comments on social media and be sure that we have cash or enough on our credit limit to pay the bill.

In the Bible, Jesus also says that he is coming soon. In fact the next to the last verse the Bible reads, “He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20) It is moving toward 2,000 years since those words were written and so many people ask, “What’s taking so long?” or “Is Jesus ever coming back?” People have many different perspectives on this but I feel the clear answer can be found in two verses:

Matthew 24:14 (NIV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The reasons that I see for Jesus “delay” are that everyone needs to hear the gospel and he wants more people to be saved from an eternity in hell. In the grand scheme of things the opening of the Black Bear Diner in Vista will not affect my life or history all that much but the return of Jesus will affect everyone and history forever and we are called to keep watch. Jesus explained it best:

Matthew 25:1-13:  "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'  "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'  "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Are you sharing the gospel? Are you keeping watch?

God bless,

Pastor Frank