Are We There Yet?

Are We There Yet?

by David Brenneman 

‭"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.   But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:3-18.

How close are we to the return of Jesus Christ for His Church?  One day closer.  

I have been Journaling for over 7 years.  The app gives highlights on what I was writing on this day every year since I started.  

Several times I evidently used a similar phrase of "one day closer to..." in referring to something that I or my Wife and I were wanting to do or see happen.

The End Times began with the ascension of Jesus back to His glorious throne in Heaven.  The days of humanity, to borrow another phrase, were numbered. 

We might see the return of Jesus today or tomorrow, next week, next month or in the years to follow.   

Regardless of exactly when, we have a now to be living in. 

A now that has a requirement made of us to live in obedience to God's Word.  

A now that is meant for all Believer's to live life in Christ Jesus in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

A now that sees us growing in Christ with respect to our salvation in Christ.

We aren't to be living a life of self nor one that's dictated by others.

We are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  

In these times, the Bible says, false prophets and false teachers will arise.  Deceiving even the elect if possible.  

Ambitious Peter, impetuous Peter, is actually writing of slowing down to embrace what the Spirit wants himself and others to live life like. 

I have a practice of every year sorting through what I have accumulated.  If I have not used, nor will now be using in the present nor the foreseeable future, there's a good chance it's getting donated or sold.  

We weigh ourselves down with so many different things.

We weigh ourselves down and forget that our Savior is coming soon.

We weigh ourselves down and don't think to ask if we're there yet. 

We live in a world of the work of the Spirit of God in people and at the same time live in a society of utter selfishness.  People indoctrinated into ever possible aspect of selfish living.  People desensitized from childhood on the wages of sin.  People desensitized to what God says is sin.  

We indeed are in the end times.  Prophetically speaking there's really nothing major left to come true in regards to Bible prophecy.

We really need to be blind and deaf to not recognize just how exponentially rising sin is in our culture today.  Things that even 10 to 20 years ago that wouldn't be mentioned or seen are commonplace today.  What used to be disgraceful, and unheard-of are now protected by law. 

What did the Bible say?  Lawlessness would increase. 

The love of most people would grow cold. .

Men would be lovers of themselves. 

The list goes on...and not only that...it's an entirely ACCURATE list of the times in which you and I find ourselves.

It's not enough in these days to be silent and to live a quiet respectful life in Christ.  Society today is demanding that not only do you support their sinful lifestyles but you must show that support verbally or through actions or face being ostracized and "canceled".

As the Bible says "Even so come quickly Lord Jesus".

Keep your eyes on the prize that is the "Well done" from Jesus. 

Don't expect the world to understand.  In John it's written that people loved the darkness rather than the Light.  It was true 2,000 plus years ago, it's just as true today.  Demonic activities are rampant.  They aren't even trying to hide their actions and activities. 

I work with likely demon possessed people.  I have met demon possessed people.  It's incredibly interesting that 2,000 plus years ago those people could recognize the difference between demon possessed people and those who were ill with a sickness.  

The truth is...we have life in Christ to be LIVING.  Truth is...in a moment...how long is a moment?  In a moment in the twinkling of an eye...How long is that?  Jesus is going to come back for His Church.  The Bible says that those who have already died in Christ will arise first.  Then those who are alive and remain will join them in the clouds forever more to be with Jesus. 

It's kind of mind boggling that a split second is longer than a twinkling of an eye. 

Are you at all interested in His coming back for you?  Are you living a life of self rather than one that's growing in Christ?   

Are you literally going to be caught red handed participating in something sinful when He does come back?  Ever think about that?

No we aren't there yet but we are one day closer.  We are one hour, one minute, one second closer.

Do you know they have had supplies ready for the past 30 years to start building the Temple in Jerusalem?  Do you know that they have all the necessary things to dedicate that Temple today?  Do you know that they have been diligently training known Levites to perform the Temple services right now?  Biblically a red certified heifer is required to dedicate the Temple. They have dozens right now.   

These are but a few things.  The 7 year Great Tribulation is centered on Israel as well as the world.  It's coming at a pace that's mind blowing. 

Are you really ready to meet Jesus?

Have you come to Christ for salvation?  

The time to choose is drawing to a close.  You are not going to have any warning of the impending Rapture of the Church.  You aren't going to slide in at the last second because you see it coming. 

The life you were meant to live is waiting all who have not called on Jesus Christ to save them. 

The life many were meant to live is still awaiting those who have yet to take the life they now have in Christ seriously. 

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