Thoughts from the Pastor
ONE WEEK
SEVEN DAYS
168 HOURS
...until Jesus Christ Returns!
No one knows when the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur. But, for a moment, imagine that we did know. Imagine that we actually knew the Lord Jesus would be coming back in seven days from right now! Would that change anything? Would I change the way I live the next 7 days? Would I act differently, do differently, behave differently, talk differently? And, of course, the really big question is: “Would I be ready to meet Him when He comes?”
Again, no one really knows the time when He will return. The Lord Jesus said, “No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven...by My Father only.” (Matthew 24). But there are some things that we do know. In fact, there are almost 100 references in the Bible regarding the Second Coming. Keep in mind, too, that there are two phases to His Return: the Rapture (when Christ will return to “snatch away” His Bride, the believers), and the Second Coming (when He will come as King of King and Lord of Lords!) Again, suppose the Rapture will occur in one week -- just one week from the moment we read this article! Would you and I be among those in the Rapture who would rise to meet Him in the air? Would we be ready, or would we be so busy, involved in treasures and things here on earth, that we miss His Coming?
The Lord has left us with Biblical signs to alert us that the time is close. I believe that those signs are pointing to a time that will be very soon. Biblical scholars tell us that there is nothing that must take place before the Rapture could occur. The old song goes, “Maybe morning, maybe noon, maybe evening, maybe soon!” As I was writing this article, the thought came to my mind, “He could come before I finish this and get it to the church secretary for this May Newsletter!” But now, back to the signs. Let me briefly direct our thoughts to seven:
1. PERILOUS TIMES. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come.” I don’t really need to comment on this, do I?
2. INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE. Daniel 4:2 reads, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” You and I are living in a time when knowledge is literally exploding month by month.
3. THE RETURN OF ISRAEL AND PREPARATION FOR REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE. (It happened in 1948 -- Israel became a world-recognized nation as foretold in the Old Testament).
4. THE DESERT (ISRAEL) BLOSSOMING LIKE A ROSE. Isaiah prophesized of this in 35:1.
5. THE ALIGNMENT OF WORLD POWERS IN THE END-TIMES. (Read Ezekiel 37, 38, 39).
6. INCREASE OF WORLDWIDE WICKEDNESS AND GROWING SPIRITUAL APATHY IN THE CHURCH. The Lord spoke forcefully of this in Matthew 24. Verse 12 reads, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many (some translations say ‘most’) will grow cold.” In my years of ministry, I have seen spiritual apathy growing year after year in the church.
7. THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE NATIONS. Matthew 24:14, “This gospel must be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.” What an exciting day to be able to witness the Good News being proclaimed around the world not only through faithful missionaries, but today through television, the Jesus Film, and the Internet.
But, what should be our attitude as we see all these things happening before our very eyes? How are we to prepare? This brief article allows for only a few words of exhortation. May I earnestly encourage us to:
1. WAKE UP! “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand...Behold the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:8-9). “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awaken out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Revelation 3:57).
2. “FESS” UP! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Lamentations 3:57).
3. LOOK UP! “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).
4. STAND UP! “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who will stand when He appears?” (Malachi 3:2). “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
5. PRAISE UP! “ Read 1 Peter 1:3-5 from the NIV translation.
6. CHEER UP! “But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13). “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).
7. REACH OUT! “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned,” Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16). “...having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that...they may by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
See you Sunday, or see you in the air!
From the Pastor’s Heart,
Pastor Seitz
Last Updated ( Friday, 11 May 2012 19:30 )