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Thursday, May 28, 2015
The Lord’s return vs giving up
I receive hundreds of emails each day. Many of them discuss the imminent return of the Lord and how they hope this occurs soon. Now, I know this is a touchy subject, but before you hit the unsubscribe button, please hear me out. After being asked directly by the disciples when he will restore the kingdom to Israel, Jesus responded in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.” He told them in the next verse that the Holy Spirit will empower them to be witnesses unto the uttermost part of the earth. This is all part of the Great Commission and it is important. The escape plan is in God’s hands. We are to be about God’s business until then.
There is a lot that must happen before the return of the Lord. Jesus Christ, himself, explains the events leading to his return in Matthew 24, beginning with “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He then describes a series of events–wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes–which are what he called “the beginning of sorrows.” He says, “They shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” He tells of false prophets, lawlessness, preaching the gospel to all the nations, then the end shall come. He then explains about the Abomination of Desolation described by the prophet Daniel, and all that the antichrist/beast will do.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the son of man be.” He goes on to describe the conditions of the world at Noah’s time and how they “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” So he says to watch so that you will be ready. He explains through a parable that blessed is that servant who the Lord finds is faithfully doing his work upon the master’s return. What Christ explains in Matthew 24 is repeated throughout the prophets regarding the Day of the Lord. We also see these allusions to what he says in 2 Timothy, Thessalonians, and Revelation–to name a few.
Irrespective of when you believe the rapture will occur, the world will continue growing darker to that day. In Christ’s own words, a lot has to happen and there are signs or milestones along the way that should give us warning and the comfort that the holy scripture is true. There is no place in the scriptures that instructs us to give up, hoping for an escape. Our hope is in the Lord, our faithfulness in doing his work. As the world becomes darker, we are to be the light. The events leading up to the Lord’s return are opportunities to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” There is no time for despair. Show your readiness by the intensity of your acts.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
For God’s Glory Alone Ministries thanks Bill Wilson and www.dailyjot.com
