18 So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? 19 “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” 20 And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”Luke 13:18–21 (NAS)

It’s easy to feel like the odd man out in a world that’s antagonistic to Christianity. There’s always been “water cooler” persecution, a subtle snubbing or sense of ostracisation for strict adherence to one’s beliefs.

Today, however, the trajectory of hostility against people who follow Jesus is nearly vertical. Total “cancellation” is imminent in our impolite society.

But according to its Founder, this will never happen. The tiny mustard seed has been sowed becoming a 10-foot tree, and the leaven has had sufficient time to permeate, doubling the size of the loaf. The illustration here speaks of “three pecks” or 24 dry quarts of flour.

I look out in my backyard at a magnificent magnolia tree some 30 feet high with sturdy straight trunk, shiny leaves, and beautiful white blossoms. That tree was not there when we built the house over 25 years ago. My wife makes her own bread. Using yeast it only takes a few hours for the lump to be ready to bake. Normally in scripture leaven stands for sin. That is not the case here.

All this to say there will be utter chaos and desperation in the world when we (millions and millions) depart suddenly “in the twinkling of an eye,” i.e., the Rapture.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed. 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Therefore,

“Be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” Luke 12:40