No, You Just Don't Know

No, You Just Don't Know 

by David Brenneman 

‭‭“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." Matthew‬ ‭24:32‭-‬42‬.

It's something that was there at the beginning of the Church.  People setting dates for the Lord to return.   

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some." 2 Timothy 2:15-18.

Isn't it enough to believe Jesus in all that He's told us? 

Many pick n choose the parts of the Bible they want to adhere to and disregard the rest.   They only want to see sunshine and rainbows with regards to life.

The life of a Believer isn't going to be an easy life.  You come to Christ you're immediately now behind enemy lines. You are also in the midst of being transformed. You aren't to be the same person now as when you first came to Christ. 

If you aren't growing in Christ, you should be diligent to find out why.  A heaven or hell destination is at stake my Dear Reader.  

There's millions in this world who classify themselves as good people.  Millions who say they believe in God.  Many of these say they believe in Jesus.  

Don't take this lightly...all demons believe as well. 

What are you doing with regards to first knowing you are saved and secondly what are you doing in regards to growing in Christ?  Paul recommended people be sure of your salvation.  He went on to talking about growing in Christ.  He who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus.  We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. 

We absolutely do not come to Christ for salvation then just go on living life our way!

We read on in that opening passage's chapter that we're to be ready.  We're not to be idle.  We're to give of our best to Jesus daily. 

If you actually knew a day, would you at all be as prepared for it in your living life right now as you would have in not knowing when at all?

Jesus is absolutely not going to come when anyone is going to see Him coming.

At work do you only do your best when you know you're being watched or is your work ethic better than that?

At home do you only do the minimum or do you keep it well maintained in case of visitors?

Do you live life on a whim with no thought to taking seriously what Jesus said to be on the alert about?

Isn't a warning from Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, doing anything at all to motivate you?  If not, my Dear Reader, you need to be checking to see if you are really saved. 

Read the beginning chapters of the book of Revelation. Specifically the letters to the Churches.  

Selfishness and laziness crept into the Church.  Misdirected passion. Misdirected love for things instead of people.  Legalism.  Rituals that were never what was taught in the New Testament. 

We absolutely will not know when Jesus will come back.  This alone should cause us to be warry of slacking off.  We should be doing as the Disciples and keep our minds set on growing in Christ.  Consistently in the Word of God. Consistently in prayer. Listening to Jesus when He speaks and obeying even when it's not popular.  Obeying God and leaving the consequences to Him. Being on the alert. 

We're to be on the alert for His coming and to be on the alert because the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.

There's is a connection between those alerts!

"Oh I got time!" says just about everyone who's life changed in an instant and found themselves leaving this world unexpectedly.

My Dear Reader...don't take life lightly...your every breath is a gift from God.  Satan's wanting you to not take being ready for Jesus seriously.  He’s absolutely not going to really mess with people who are already not taking the truth of God's word to heart.  Why?  Because these people have done all his work for him. He will instead focus on those people who really are wanting to be obedient to Jesus Christ.  He will create a nice comfortable prison and convince you that it isn't one and you'll like it too much to question it or ever want to leave it. 

Be sure of your salvation. 

Be ready for the shout that will take us out!

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.