It is certainly true that we live in an age of boundless wonder and have at our disposal so many things which were unimaginable not very long ago. The knowledge, skill and expertise God has so graciously granted to humankind has resulted in a rapid technological evolution over the past 150 years that has unbelievably eclipsed the pace of the past thousand years. Indeed we have not always used these blessings in the most appropriate manner, but nonetheless, we are now confronted with an overwhelming amount of information and events that, if not managed correctly, can make your head spin. Life in the 21st century can, and certainly will, demand so much of our time that we don’t even notice that we are completely immersed in a euphoric cavalcade of engaging endeavors. This can lead us to prioritize the experiences and relationships in our lives, sometimes neglecting the most important ones, by being tainted with the stress of activity overload. But whether it is any of the aforementioned situations or a plethora of other temporal conditions such as mutating viruses, fluctuating economics, governmental gambits, racial divisions, cultural chaos or geopolitical threats, we must realize that all of these things which continually compete for our attention are actually diversions from our most consequential and meaningful task here on earth which is to fear God, obey His commandments and prepare for Jesus’ return.
Always keep in mind that we want to stay sober and vigilant because no matter what we do or how good we think we are, we are going to barely make it into God’s coming Kingdom. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4: 18) We must not allow the enemy’s underhanded antics and enticements to lead us astray or even slow us down from pursuing an ever-increasing intimate connection with the Lord day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, even second by second. That evil one doesn’t want you to recognize that spiritual inattention can lead to spiritual detention. That spiritual drowsiness can lead to spiritual disaster. And spiritual distraction can lead to spiritual destruction. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (1 Corinthians 11: 30)
Realize that your adversary the devil is not only a roadside ringmaster, but a sideshow snake-oil salesman and a murderous master of misdirection. He'll deceptively dangle the daintiest of delicacies to draw you in. Or, if he can’t distract you with bells and whistles, he’ll use blue smoke and mirrors. And if that doesn’t work he won’t hesitate to try and bring pain, suffering and death to discourage, disorient and delude you. And all of his elaborate tricks are designed to reach one desired end which is to ensure that you are not paying attention and are not ready for Jesus’ return. He doesn’t want you to be ready because he is so mean and hateful that he wants you to go where he is going. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20: 10)
Beloved ones, it is imperative that we stay on point, laser-focused and hard at work sanctifying ourselves in this fast-paced environment in which we exist. And the Lord hasn’t required that you do it all by yourself. In fact, you can’t do it all by yourself. In reality it is God Himself that is doing all of the work by enabling you in everything you do, even giving you the desire to do it. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2: 13) God doesn’t need us, we so desperately need Him. He knows our frame, that we are just dust, because He made us. We must always remember this so that we can continue to encourage ourselves and each other in the following: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121: 1-2) This must always be on our minds because we are eagerly anticipating the one spectacular event that all of creation has been anxiously waiting for since the dawn of time. And when it happens, we want to be able to participate in it with exceeding great joy: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21: 27) PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD!
Indeed, in His Word the Lord has told us many times what is soon to come. For instance at His unjust trial by a kangaroo court over 2,000 years ago with its predetermined outcome: “And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest Thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? But He held His peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, and said unto Him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy. What think ye? And they all condemned Him to be guilty of death.” (Mark 14: 60-64)
Sadly, this is an indisputable and depressing commentary on the depravity of man. But the disgusting immorality of those religious hypocrites could not overshadow the magnificent plan of God Who sent His only begotten Son to experience their injustice so that the stunning story of salvation could unfold. The prophecies of His birth, the pain of His passion, the finality of His death and the glory of His resurrection is without a doubt the greatest story ever told. And these things are only eclipsed by the much awaited, much anticipated grandeur of His majestic return.
However, there is just one thing. We don’t know exactly when that will be. But it doesn’t matter because our job is simple …… just be ready. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13: 32-37)
The parable of the 10 virgins in the Book of Matthew is an enlightening description of the rewards of readiness or the penalties of procrastination in regard to our coming King. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25: 1-13)
And though we may not know when this is going to happen, be advised that we are closer today than we were yesterday. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13: 11-12) And what we also know is that we eagerly and anxiously wait for the time when the God of all creation tells His Son to go get His children: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17)
We must continue to pray for all mankind because it’s going to be a bad day for a lot of people. “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25: 41) But for us, His children, it will be the greatest of days! I therefore beseech you dear ones, stay focused and keep striving diligently for the place that has been prepared for you in the Kingdom. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14: 1-3) “And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25: 33-34)
Don't listen to the naysayers, for there will be many. Keep the faith and delight yourself in being blessed with this understanding: "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2 Peter 3: 3-4 & 10-14)
Keep your spiritual eyes and ears open for we are already seeing prophecies being fulfilled. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2: 17-21)
So shout "Hallelujah", dear ones! Rejoice and be exceedingly glad because the time for this old world is winding down and our deliverance is at the doorstep. Oh my! Doesn’t that make you just want to jump and shout? Oh yeah, I feel like singin’!
Good News! …..... Good news, Jesus is coming!
Good News! …..... Good news, Jesus is coming!
Good News! …..... Good news, Jesus is coming!
And I don’t Him to leave me behind!
By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Ghost we are surely on our way home. “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8: 38) As it is so aptly recorded in the last 10 words written in God's holy scriptures, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22: 20)
Give it to the Lord and get prepared!
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