Tag: quickly
Walls of Salvation–Gates of Praise!
Scripture reading for August 1: Isaiah 58-62
“”No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:18-19
There’s a song out that uses the thoughts of these verses of Isaiah. Chris Tomlin sings “My Deliverer” and I love the chorus about the walls and gates of the New Jerusalem! This passage and chapter of Isaiah have many similarities with Revelation 21 and the vision of the Apostle John and it is exciting to see that God’s plans are firmly established and moving forward.
Our nation and world are in deep darkness. The peoples of the earth for the most part are living in ignorance of the Lord and His light. It was the vision of Isaiah that as the world lay in darkness, a call to arise and shine would be given to God’s people. (Isaiah 60:1-2) This might refer to the rapture of the Church at the end of time as well as when Jesus first appeared. The Glory of the Lord will rise upon the earth and nations will come to the brightness of that new dawning. Jesus Christ came into the darkness of this world and proclaimed that He was the light of the world! (John 8:12) Whoever would follow Him will never walk in darkness but would have the light of life! At the end of time we will shine like the brightness of heaven and the stars! (Daniel 12:3)
From the witness of the light of God within His church, Jesus Christ is populating the New Jerusalem. It’s walls are salvation. We are protected by God’s saving grace through the gift of forgiveness. We are saved from the penalty of our sins and eternal judgment in the lake of fire and outer darkness. It’s gates are praise! Those who enter come singing and praising the One who gave them life and eternal light! God is their light and they have no darkness in them! There are no more tears, crying or pain. Eternal light from God’s glory fills the city and it’s inhabitants!
When this will happen is not known by any man. But the Lord tells us that in it’s time, it will be done swiftly! We must be ready and watching! “I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.” (Isaiah 60:22b) “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon. (quickly)” (Revelation 22:20)
Beware! Be Ready!
Scripture reading for October 11th: Matthew 24-25
As they left the temple, Jesus remarked to His disciples about how not one stone would be left upon another. “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)
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, Jesus pointed to wars and rumors of wars among the nations. There would also be famines and earthquakes in numerous places and great distress. Persecution of Christians would result in the death of the saints and betrayal and hatred toward God’s people would be common. Many would turn away from following Jesus and their love for God grow cold. (Matthew 24:6-13)
Jesus emphatically taught that no one would know the day or hour of His return. (Matthew 24:36) It would be like the days of Noah when the flood came suddenly and swept the world away. It would be like a thief coming suddenly at night. It would be like a master coming back to find his servant neglecting his duties and doing evil. Jesus would come back at a time when He was least expected!
To illustrate this point, Jesus told two parables. The first concerned ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five were foolish and five others 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 of the bridegroom woke them when he arrived. But only the wise were prepared and went with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. The foolish were late and missed the party! In fact, they were shut out in outer darkness!
Are you prepared? May the truth of this message cause faith to arise to prepare yourself and your family! The trumpet could sound at any time!