Tag: Jesus’ return
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!