Hi Folks!
One of the most difficult things for us to do as Christians, is to maintain
a consistent day by day watch. The Lord Jesus said, "watch and pray,
lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh
is weak Matthew 26:41
Many were expecting the Lord may have raptured His people around the day of
the Jewish new year, Sept 29 - and it didn't happen. In time past there have
been specific days also that the children of God have thought, "surely
this will be when He comes" and He didn't then either. The Scriptures
reveal that we will not know the day or the hour of His return, but that we
would be able to know and discern the season. I along with many others believe
without a shadow of a doubt that this "is" the season of the Lord's
return. He could come at any moment now so we need to be ready at all times.
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you
do not expect Luke 12:40
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that
I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the
Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and
safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon
a pregnant woman and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in
darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons
of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore
let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober 1Thess
5:1-6
Many in time past have fallen into disappointment and even felt discouraged
when the Lord didn't appear when they thought He would. Some have given up
trying to be ready for the Lord's return and have gone back to their old sinful
ways. Some are not even walking with the Lord anymore! If you were hoping
Jesus would return on Sept 29 - did it do you any harm being ready and prepared
for it in case it happened then? Of course not. This is the way we should
be living at all times... ready to meet with Jesus! We are commanded to be
holy as He is holy. There is a purifying effect on our soul when we are living
a prayerful, watchful life, keeping ourself in a state of readiness always.
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have
confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming... Beloved, now we
are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but
we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him
as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as
He is pure. 1John 2:28; 3:2-3
Jesus is coming to rapture a people who are ready for Him. He is coming for
those that love Him and want to be with Him. He is not coming for those who
are sleeping spiritually and living foolishly... read Matt
24:36 to Matt 25:13
So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly
wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for
salvation Heb 9:28 (underlines are mine)
Please read that last verse through a few times. That word salvation means
"deliverance". As the scriptures declare...
Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come 1Thess
1:10b (underlines are mine)
When God pours out His wrath (fierce anger) on the earth to deal with wicked
people one last time, He will send Jesus to the Earth's atmosphere to catch
(rapture) His children out of the way. Those who are ready to go will not
be disappointed praise the Lord! We will forever be with Jesus.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all
be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed 1Cor 15:51-52
Well how do I keep myself ready? you may be asking. There is a key in the
following verses just a little further on from where we were just looking.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord
1Cor 15:57-58
We are to keep our focus on our Lord Jesus Christ who alone can give us the
true victory in every area of our life. Stay close to the Master through prayer,
fellowship and with a daily dose of His Word. Be in regular fellowship with
the saints who are also living a holy life in readiness for the Lord's return.
As the Scripture we just read mentions, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in God's work. Be about your Father's business with a servant's
heart. There are people everywhere to love and reach out to and the time is
short - so make serving God your highest priority. I wrote several Pastor's
Heart messages about Servanthood earlier this year. It may be a blessing to
you to read them if you haven't, or go over them once again and be refreshed.
Unless we meet again through another Ps Heart letter, or in person - we may
meet together in the clouds.
Bye for now and God bless you!
David
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For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1Thess 4:16-17