by David Brenneman
"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.” ’ But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:1-14.
There's a day fixed by the Father’s own authority that Jesus will be returning to gather His own to Himself. When this is...nobody knows...however...Jesus said you will be able to discern the signs of the times. Clues will exist that cannot be anything else but the hand of God in the affairs of man. Biblical prophecy has never been wrong. Yet Satan persists in trying to get even one thing written in the Word of God to not happen. He spends an exorbitant amount of time and resources downplaying that which the Spirit reveals to mankind about this day approaching.
His distractions have denominations and political groups included in order to provide some sense of credibility to what's said. He gets even Believers to engage in useless rhetoric in order to turn hearts away from being fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Christians aren't here to join the world in their hypocrisy. Christian people are supposed to be living in the character of Jesus Christ. Jesus never lead or contributed to protesting Roman rule. He did not waste time debating the Pharisees and Sadducees...He dealt with the situation that arose and moved on. He didn't teach people to berate government officials. He said to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and render unto God the things of God. Further...we are commanded, not suggested, to pray for those who persecute us. We are to pray for those in authority over us. It is God who establishes those who are in authority over us and it is Him who removes them. As Habakkuk learned...we don't understand why God chooses who He does to lead a nation but we are to respect who He does choose.
There's been quite a few signs in the last 80 years that point to this Day of the Lord being a lot nearer.
"The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away." Matthew 16:1-4.
The Apostles thought the day of the Lord was possible in their lifetime but they hadn't investigated the times and the world as we are able to with a complete Bible. We can see, study, pray over, and know of various previously unseen events that had yet to occur that they didn't know about.
When Christ's Church is complete, He will return to receive her to Himself. The Great Commission is what spurred that on in its beginning. We shouldn't waste our time on frivolous and useless arguments. We shouldn't waste our resources that God's so generously provided. We shouldn't waste the moments we have been given on what the world thinks is most important.
With the prospect of Jesus coming back literally at any moment...what kind of lives ought we to be living?
Are we really living a life that is seen by the world as lived in Christ or do they actually just see one of their own?
Ambassadors do not put their own self interests ahead of those whom they represent. We are to be Ambassadors for Christ.
Are ready, really ready, to stand before Jesus in an instant? That's what the Bible says will happen.
Are you behaving in such a way that shows you are different from the world?
Are you leading such a life that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven?
A life lived in vain selfishness will always end in disaster.
Be sure of your salvation.
Keep pace with your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
Represent Jesus well in your life.
Stay away from whatever makes you look like you're more in love with the world than you love Jesus.
"In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:6-8.
Look to the skies often for our Lord Jesus Christ will be returning soon. Every day is one day closer. Every heartbeat is one closer to that Day we are to EXPECT to be coming.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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