How merciful the Lord is in giving us the hope of His second coming to brighten the gloom of a darkening world! Terrorism has become a household word in almost every part of the globe. The time has surely come that we, those of us who know Jesus, must press into His Presence closer and closer every day in order to separate ourselves from the darkness of this world which has spread like a beast from the deep, with its searching tentacles, trying to capture innocent souls for its prey. Jesus called it "this present, evil world." Take heart! Though the earth grows darker by the moment, these are indications that the Lord is at hand, "even at the doors." Matthew 24:32-33 There are many Christians today who have been seduced away from the teaching of the return of the Lord for His Bride at the harpadzo, or catching away of the Bride who joyfully anticipates the return of the Bridegroom. The scriptures plainly warn us of this false belief that has arisen about the coming of the Lord."2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:2-7
We must "be vigilant, knowing that the devil roams about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith" 1 Peter 5:8-9. This is how we stay in Truth, by not following doctrines and teachings that depart from the Word of God. It plainly tells us that in the last days, there will be seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, leading believers away from the faith of God's Word. 1 Timothy 4:1
As we stay with Jesus, the Word of God, we will not be deceived, following false doctrines. Jesus is the Truth, the Life, and the Way. We are to carry the Light from His Word to every corner of this gasping world, bringing His hope, faith, and love. Light always dispels darkness, and there are many souls waiting for a glimpse of one ray of the light of Jesus, and it may come through you. Tell people of the soon return of Jesus, as He promised in the Word of God over and over again.
The nearness of the Lord's coming is wonderful consolation for His Beloved Bride. This blessed hope of the the Church, as seen in the daily lives of the first century Christians, became crystallized in their watchword, "Maranatha!" which is Greek for "the Lord cometh!" 1 Cor. 16:22 "Maranatha" was a password they used when Christians had to hold their meetings in secret, as in the days of the catacombs in Rome. They greeted each other with this exclamation. Possibly, some of the Christians who are suffering horrific persecution for their faith in this day greet each other with, "Maranatha!" Come, Lord Jesus, come!
In this time of growing darkness in the world, the Church of the Lord Jesus is to be a bright beacon of light to those who stagger in darkness. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1-2 People are looking for the Light. As the darkness becomes darker, the light of the glory of the Lord upon His Church is to shine brighter and brighter unto that day.
The brilliance of Jesus is like a lighthouse to a ship in the gathering night and fog. "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, (the faithful Church filled with His power), because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, (or teachable); He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn." Isaiah 61:1-2 The acceptable year of the Lord is the Jubilee, celebrated by Israel every fifty years, when all debts were cancelled, slaves were set free, and there was great joy throughout the land.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jubilee. Since Resurrection Morning, when He rose from the dead on the third day, the Jubilee for all who believe in, rely on, and adhere to Him, has been in effect. What glorious news! We have been set free from all bondage of the enemy, all bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord in His atoning death, burial, and resurrection. We died unto ourselves and to the world with Him, we were buried with Him, and we rose with Him to walk in newness of life. Paul said in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Romans 6:14 Neither sin, the world, the flesh, nor the devil has any power over us as we abide in Jesus, and He abides in us. Jesus is our Jubilee!!!
Do you feel that the world or the things of the world, sin, or your carnal nature are preventing the blessed hope of Jesus' return from comforting you in the gathering darkness? The Word of God is very plain that these things have no power over a Christian. Do houses, lands, money, sin, or family have a greater hold on you than the Lord? When we surrender all we are, all we have, all we ever hope to be, and all which we are not, to Him, the hold of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the cares of life are broken by the power of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' sacrifice for you broke the back of all evil over your life. Mix your faith with the Word, and you shall be free from this world's hold on you, and enjoy the blessed hope of the Church, which is the return of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to take us where He is, to be with Him forever.
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit shines His light on the pathway of the Church until the Lord's return - a truth which is mentioned at least 300 times in prediction, parable and promise. The book of Revelation focuses all these rays of truth upon the person of our Glorified Lord, the One who appeared once "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself," and is coming again, "the second time, not having to bear our sins, unto salvation." Hebrews 9:26, 28 He came as a Babe in a manger the first time, born to die for all mankind, but, in His soon return, He will come as the Bridegroom, first, then, as the Conquering King and Judge, ruling the nations with awe-inspiring authority. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!
In light of these truths, imminence of Jesus' return becomes a motivator for the Church because of the Great Commission. We do not know the day nor the hour of his return, only the Father in heaven knows. But we know He is coming. The same Bible that shows us the plan of salvation and gives us the promises of God of blessing in our lives, also promises the imminent return of Jesus, in a day when the signs of His coming abound worldwide. Matthew 24 "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, behold, I AM with you alway, even to the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:18-20
"32Now learn a parable of the fig tree (Israel); When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:32-51 Help us all, Lord!
3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:2-7
We must "be vigilant, knowing that the devil roams about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith" 1 Peter 5:8-9. This is how we stay in Truth, by not following doctrines and teachings that depart from the Word of God. It plainly tells us that in the last days, there will be seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, leading believers away from the faith of God's Word. 1 Timothy 4:1
As we stay with Jesus, the Word of God, we will not be deceived, following false doctrines. Jesus is the Truth, the Life, and the Way. We are to carry the Light from His Word to every corner of this gasping world, bringing His hope, faith, and love. Light always dispels darkness, and there are many souls waiting for a glimpse of one ray of the light of Jesus, and it may come through you. Tell people of the soon return of Jesus, as He promised in the Word of God over and over again.
The nearness of the Lord's coming is wonderful consolation for His Beloved Bride. This blessed hope of the the Church, as seen in the daily lives of the first century Christians, became crystallized in their watchword, "Maranatha!" which is Greek for "the Lord cometh!" 1 Cor. 16:22 "Maranatha" was a password they used when Christians had to hold their meetings in secret, as in the days of the catacombs in Rome. They greeted each other with this exclamation. Possibly, some of the Christians who are suffering horrific persecution for their faith in this day greet each other with, "Maranatha!" Come, Lord Jesus, come!
In this time of growing darkness in the world, the Church of the Lord Jesus is to be a bright beacon of light to those who stagger in darkness. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1-2 People are looking for the Light. As the darkness becomes darker, the light of the glory of the Lord upon His Church is to shine brighter and brighter unto that day.
The brilliance of Jesus is like a lighthouse to a ship in the gathering night and fog. "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, (the faithful Church filled with His power), because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, (or teachable); He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn." Isaiah 61:1-2 The acceptable year of the Lord is the Jubilee, celebrated by Israel every fifty years, when all debts were cancelled, slaves were set free, and there was great joy throughout the land.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jubilee. Since Resurrection Morning, when He rose from the dead on the third day, the Jubilee for all who believe in, rely on, and adhere to Him, has been in effect. What glorious news! We have been set free from all bondage of the enemy, all bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord in His atoning death, burial, and resurrection. We died unto ourselves and to the world with Him, we were buried with Him, and we rose with Him to walk in newness of life. Paul said in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Romans 6:14 Neither sin, the world, the flesh, nor the devil has any power over us as we abide in Jesus, and He abides in us. Jesus is our Jubilee!!!
Do you feel that the world or the things of the world, sin, or your carnal nature are preventing the blessed hope of Jesus' return from comforting you in the gathering darkness? The Word of God is very plain that these things have no power over a Christian. Do houses, lands, money, sin, or family have a greater hold on you than the Lord? When we surrender all we are, all we have, all we ever hope to be, and all which we are not, to Him, the hold of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the cares of life are broken by the power of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' sacrifice for you broke the back of all evil over your life. Mix your faith with the Word, and you shall be free from this world's hold on you, and enjoy the blessed hope of the Church, which is the return of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to take us where He is, to be with Him forever.
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit shines His light on the pathway of the Church until the Lord's return - a truth which is mentioned at least 300 times in prediction, parable and promise. The book of Revelation focuses all these rays of truth upon the person of our Glorified Lord, the One who appeared once "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself," and is coming again, "the second time, not having to bear our sins, unto salvation." Hebrews 9:26, 28 He came as a Babe in a manger the first time, born to die for all mankind, but, in His soon return, He will come as the Bridegroom, first, then, as the Conquering King and Judge, ruling the nations with awe-inspiring authority. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!
In light of these truths, imminence of Jesus' return becomes a motivator for the Church because of the Great Commission. We do not know the day nor the hour of his return, only the Father in heaven knows. But we know He is coming. The same Bible that shows us the plan of salvation and gives us the promises of God of blessing in our lives, also promises the imminent return of Jesus, in a day when the signs of His coming abound worldwide. Matthew 24 "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, behold, I AM with you alway, even to the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:18-20
"32Now learn a parable of the fig tree (Israel); When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:32-51 Help us all, Lord!
