By David Brenneman
In life, we either don't realize how close the return of Jesus Christ is or we live like we do know.
What indeed you KNEW, I mean really KNEW that day was either today or was quickly approaching? What would you see differently? What would you do differently?
Please don't lie to yourself and say nothing. I mean really, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is returning. You know and you aren't remotely considering adjustments to your day, to the life you have?
Our thoughts on this should really shake us to our bones. So what does the Bible say?
1 Corinthians 13:12 NASB "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known."
Jesus was wondering if He would find the faith when He returns. This ought to shake us up! This ought to stir us up to action, not lead to apathy. Satan is ok with our apathy.
"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12 NASB.
Is there no troubles in your life? No battles with temptation? Nothing? Be concerned, be very concerned.
It's incredibly sad to see misplaced passion. People more on fire for their employers than for Jesus.
People more passionate about a sport, sports team or something in the entertainment world than who it was who saved them. They don't see nor realize the error of their ways.
2 Corinthians 4:1-4 NASB "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
I mean just what is your view of Jesus? Is He closer than the breath you breathe to you? Is He off somewhere waiting around for THAT time? Is He distant to you?
A Preacher named S. M. Lockridge gave a sermon possibly in Detroit in 1976, this is a large chunk of it.
I wonder if you know Him?
Do you know my King?
The Bible says
He’s the King of the Jews
He’s the King of Israel
He’s the King of Righteousness
He’s the King of the Ages
He’s the King of Heaven
He’s the King of Glory
He’s the King of Kings
and He is the Lord of Lords
Now that’s my King!
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing
No means of measure can define His limitless love
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply
He’s enduringly strong
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful
That’s my King!
He’s God’s Son
He’s the sinners’ Saviour
He’s the centerpiece of civilization
He’s unparalleled
He’s unprecedented
He’s pre-eminent
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology
He’s the miracle of the age
He’s the superlative of everything good
He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously
He supplies strength for the weak
He’s available for the tempted and the tried
He sympathizes and He saves
He heals the sick
He cleansed the lepers
He forgives sinners
He delivers the captives
He defends the feeble
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
And He beautifies the meek
Do you know Him?
Do you know my King?
My King is the key of knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the gateway of glory
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
His promise is sure
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy
and His burden is light
Do you know Him?
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
I’m trying to tell you
The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him
Let alone a man explain Him
You can’t get Him out of your mind
You can’t outlive Him
And you can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree
And Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the grave couldn’t hold Him
That’s my King!
He always has been
And He always will be
I’m talking about
He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor
There was nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign
That’s my King!
Do you know Him?
He’s the Master of the Mighty
He’s the Captain of the Conquerors
He’s the Head of the Heroes
He’s the Leader of the Legislatures
He’s the Overseer of the Overcomers
He’s the Governor of the Governors
He’s the Prince of Princes
He’s the King of Kings
And He’s the Lord of Lords
That’s my KING!
Is your view of the coming King getting any clearer? Scriptures say "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him." Revelation 1:7 NASB.
The day of His return could even be today. The Scriptures state that no man knows the day nor the hour in Matthew 24:36. Try Luke 16 where it says plainly that the coming will not be with signs to be observed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 mentions that it would happen in a moment, in the speed of the twinkling of an eye.
Lastly let's look at 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NASB "Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing."
I have looked at myself, wondering if I indeed were "Rapture Ready". Am I really ready to stand before my Savior? The parables of the workers in the field for the King. Isn't that the Believers in this world? Are you a worker in His harvest or are you off doing your own thing, not considering the urgency of the hour in which you live?
The most sobering of thoughts for you to consider: If Jesus looked at you, would He see " the faith"? Are you living as though at any moment you could be ushered into the presence of Christ Jesus? Or upon His return would you be found doing something sinful?
Get on your knees, pray concerning your faith, your vision and view of life, that it would mirror what the Spirit desires to teach you to be. Behold the King IS coming!
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