by David Brenneman
"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." Hebrews 10:35-39.
It's actually rather an easy thought to join the world in wondering "where's the promise of His coming?".
We, in the Church, can be just as doubtful if we're not looking as Jesus said that we should be doing.
My Dear Reader, read the whole of Matthew 24 but until you do, read this portion "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:32-51.
We cannot afford to join the world in being dull of hearing! We are to be on guard at all times. We will see tests in our lives to see how devoted to our Savior and Lord that we are. We will see events unfold that are indeed relevant and related to the return of Jesus Christ if we are truly alert and are looking for them.
Jesus said to be alert...are you?
How will you heed His command to not let the world deceive you if you aren't keeping your guard up against false teachings and false ideas regarding His return? How will you know a lie from the truth if you aren't walking in obedience to God's Word and are not truly in a right relationship with Jesus?
Jesus said many people will lay claim to having done much in His Name but He will still command them to depart for He never knew them.
Never should you doubt the reality that Jesus could return at any time.
Throughout the New Testament it was preached to millions then and through the centuries until today...be on the alert! Satan's seeking someone to devour. If that hasn't changed at all you can bet that the promises of God for Jesus's return are just as valid. You can bet that we ought to be expectant of His return. Ready to leave when He calls us to come up.
Live your life for Jesus in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Stand firm in the Lord. How will you discern truth from lies if you're not in the Word of God? How will you see through lies if you aren't in prayer daily? How will you know to flee if you don't know what the dangers are?
Jesus is coming soon. Soon is what should be encouraging to us at all times. Soon should prompt us to live lives worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus. Fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Not half-baked, not half-hearted, wholly and fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Taking up our own cross daily and following Jesus. He leads we follow.
Are you alert? Watchful while going about your day? Listening for your Great Shepherd to call you home? Don't fall prey to the doubts of the world in their denial that He will keep that particular promise.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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