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. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, 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 or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ” Mark 13:28-37.
If you knew in your heart with absolute certainty, with absolute conviction, with all confidence, that something was going to happen to people you cared about wouldn't you say something, do something? Would you be able to live with the knowledge that you could have, should have, said something, done something?
In spite of Hollywood's creativity in regards to time travel, God doesn't let humanity do it because it would be mankind crafting humanity in humanities image. Potentially removing consequences to actions or erasing people from existence. Essentially man playing 'god'.
In the case of the revelations of the Spirit of God, spoken by the prophets of God in the Old Testament or those of Jesus or Paul or others in the Bible, these are His mercy towards mankind His grace in showing the way to mankind...to show the love of God in Christ Jesus.
We can't be trusted because of the sin nature within all of us with which comes a propensity towards evil.
All people's everywhere have the potential for every form of evil described in the Bible.
Yet in this God hasn't let the nature of mankind run rampant with what its capable of. He is the Creator of all things. We live, move, and have our being because of the grace and mercy of God.
Life could have been completely over at Adam and Eve after they sinned. Again, grace and mercy came and life was allowed to continue.
Jesus tells us of things yet to come. He never was speaking to hear Himself talk. Even the Scribes could see clearly, and confessed, that He spoke the way of God in truth, showing deference to no one.
Jesus issued warnings that we should be on the alert. Said to teach others all that He commanded them. His instructions to the Disciples when He sent them out in pairs. To be shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves. To be careful in their dealings with those they came across. To know people by their fruits. Putting into action His teachings to them.
All these things came to be.
Everything as He described.
If in these things He proved to them to be true...His foretelling of His coming brutal scourging, beatings, death, burial and resurrection...came to be 100% true...shouldn't you and I trust that His warnings of what else was to come would be true as well?
We should be living life both in obedience to God's Word and according to His plan and purpose for each of us...but should also be living life in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. Being ready to tell others who ask concerning the hope within us.
Jesus spoke of what was coming concerning the family unit. Father's against sons, mother's against daughter's. Children against parents. We see it in today's world.
Children calling the authorities on their own parents for very little things that decades ago never would have been considered.
The End Times as prophecy in the Bible speaks to are centered around Israel. What's happening in our world today? World focus is re-centering around Israel. Just as Jesus pointed to.
So Jesus said to be on the alert. Are you really eager and ready to see Jesus face-to-face or are you indifferent? Are you among those who honestly think that it has to be a long way off?
Have you given up on whether or not it would happen in your lifetime?
Jesus said that we don't know the day nor the hour. He found out Himself after He went through the cross of calvary. The day couldn't be established until His obedience at the cross was completed.
But completed it was, over 500 people saw the effects of the resurrection. The truth of God cannot be silenced.
The universal plan of God to redeem mankind and to put an end to sin and mankind's rebellion are unalterable. The events of the book of Revelation and all other prophetic writings in the Bible are GOING to happen. Jesus WILL return for His Church before the world sees the wrath of God as written in the Bible. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The wrath of God isn't for them to partake of. Jesus wouldn't talk of returning for His Bride, the Church, in such a loving way if He would also beat that Bride to a bloody pulp ahead of time.
Be ready because you know nor when the hour will come.
Be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have in Christ Jesus.
Be on the alert.
Walk in a manner worthy of your calling in Christ Jesus.
Be found by Him as a doer of the word and not merely hearers only who have been deluded themselves.
If indeed you trusted Jesus to save you...shouldn't you listen and obey all that Jesus commanded you?
Shouldn't you actively be pursuing your relationship with Jesus above all else? Honoring Him by living a life approved by Him? Lived in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven? Being found by Him as one who was on the alert as He said to be?
My prayers are for people to come to Christ for salvation or to come back to Jesus as the Prodigal Son's and Daughter's throughout the ages have done. My prayer as well is that Jesus would return soon.
Realize with all sober thinking that there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING left that HAS to happen prophetically before Jesus returns. Not a single thing. So yes at any moment in our lives it is possible for Jesus to return.
Be on the alert!
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment