Tag: Jesus’ return
A prophetic proclamation!
Scripture reading for July 21: 1 Corinthians 11
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
One of the issues in the church at Corinth was in their conduct of Holy Communion. This meal given to the church by Jesus Christ was causing divisions. Some were eating and not considerate of others that came late. Others were getting drunk. The rich and poor were in conflict and some were humiliating and despising one another. This was not Christ Jesus’ intent or instructions.
Paul explained what he understood from the Lord Jesus concerning the elements of Holy Communion. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks. He broke it and gave it to the disciples declaring, “This is My body which is for you.” As they partook of the bread, they were to remember Jesus and the giving of His body for their sins and sicknesses. Jesus willingly was made sin on our behalf. Thankfulness was the simple response to this amazing show of love. When Jesus took the cup, He proclaimed, “This cup is the New Covenant in My blood.” As they partook, they were to remember His blood shed for the payment for sin and give thanks. Paul explained that this eating of the bread and drinking of the cup was a proclamation of Christ’s death until He came again. This was a prophetic act remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection and return again for His people and drinking the cup in the newness of the kingdom. This meal was intended to unite believers (the Bride of Christ) around the death, resurrection and return of Jesus Christ the heavenly Bridegroom.
How have you understood the sacrament of Holy Communion? Have you ever not taken Communion because of your own heart being not right with a brother or sister or spouse? Will you be more aware of the coming of Jesus next time you receive Communion?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for this Holy meal designed by You to help me remember Jesus Christ and His work on my behalf. Forgive me when I have partaken of this sacrament with a wrong heart towards another person or You. Remind me each time of the prophetic proclamation of Jesus’ soon return. Amen.
Sunday Rest and Reflection
Dear Friends,
Greetings on this first day of rest of 2010! We are beginning a new year and a new decade. Time is ever marching on and it shows no partiality to anyone! Be sure to take time to rest and reflect on what you have read from God’s word and what you heard preached at church. If you are not taking time to gather with God’s people, think about your priorities today. You are missing out on a blessing and are also disobedient to the Lord! (Hebrews 10:25)
Our theme for this year is the promise of Jesus Christ that He will return soon! This is an event related to time and our understanding of time. What does ’soon’ mean to you? Does that mean in the next few minutes? Could it be yet today? Will it be in the first month of this new year? Will 2010 be the year that Jesus comes? The important thing is not exactly when He is coming, but being ready when He does come.
Do you have an assurance based on God’s word that you are ready for Christ’s coming? Do you know what is required to be ready? Are you using your talents and resources to serve the Lord? Do you have a dream from the Lord or a desire in your heart to accomplish something great for the Lord that you have not yet attempted or started? Are you holding on to some besetting sin that has a grip on your life and is holding you back from your purpose? Please know that I’m not asking these questions to make you feel guilty, but rather to stimulate your thinking.
If we knew for sure that Jesus would come back by the end of 2010, what things would you do to prepare? This is the kind of thinking that should help us to have the power to change and attempt great things for God. It should help us get rid of bad habits and sins that hinder. It should cause us to launch out in attempting to fulfill dreams and visions.
Take some time today and write down some dreams that you have, and needed preparations for the coming of Jesus Christ. Begin to think about this year as if it were the last year you had on earth before the rapture. Ask the Lord to lead you in changing attitudes and actions to reflect your new priority!
In His Love, Pastor John
Beware! Be Ready!
Scripture reading for October 13th: Matthew 24-25
These chapters of Matthew contain the last major teaching of Jesus to his disciples as recorded by this Gospel writer. Jesus remarked to His disciples about how not one stone would be left upon another at the temple. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:2-5)
It appears that deception will be a mark of the last days before the return of Jesus Christ. The world we live in today is full of counterfeit religions and numerous cults that claim that they are the only way to God. Even in the church, there are numerous false teachers who are deceptive and seductive. In addition, there are other signs of the end of the age mentioned by Jesus. He pointed to wars and rumors of wars among the nations. There will also be famines and earthquakes in numerous places and the world will be in great distress. Persecution of Christians will result in the death of the saints and betrayal and hatred toward God’s people will be common. Many will turn away from following Jesus and their love for God will grow cold. (Matthew 24:6-13)
As far as when this will take place, Jesus had a different warning. There will surely be much deception and false teachers will abound, but Jesus emphatically taught that no one will know the day or hour of His return. (Matthew 24:36) It will be like the days of Noah when the flood came suddenly and swept the world of that time away. It will be like a thief coming to a house suddenly at night. It will be like a master coming back to find his servant neglecting his duties and doing evil. The point of these illustrations is that each person must be in a state of readiness at all times. Jesus is coming back at a time when we least expect it.
To illustrate this point, Jesus then told two parables. The first, which we will discuss, was about the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. The virgins consisted of five who were foolish and five others who were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil for them. The wise took oil along for their lamps and were ready. The bridegroom was delayed and they all fell asleep. The midnight cry woke them up to prepare for his arrival. Only the wise were prepared and got to go with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. The foolish were late and missed the party!
Our Lord just emphasized the need to be read and prepared for the immanent coming of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. He could come at any time. Are you prepared? Is your lamp burning bright and have you purchased plenty of oil? May the truth of this message cause faith to arise to get ready!