The Hour is Late

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Ro 13:11–12).

  1. WAKE UP

  2. CAST OFF

  3. PUT ON


Shofar

In scripture the sounding of the ram’s horn, the shofar, was associated with two events. Every Hebrew knew when they heard the trumpet blast it was important. One of two things were about to happen.

  1. A going forth in war

  2. A gathering for worship

When Jesus returns there will be a trumpet blast signaling two events, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Heavenly Angels bringing judgment on the wicked.

The Death of Organized Religion

In Mark 13 Jesus told the disciples the temple would be destroyed (Rev.21:22). When will this happen?

Watch for these increasingly difficult birth pains, v 8c

  1. Spiritual counterfeits, v 5-6, 14a, 21-22

  2. International conflict, v 7-8a

  3. Natural disasters, v 8b

  4. Religious persecution, v 9, 11, 13

  5. Global missions, v 10

  6. Family betrayal, v 12

  7. Godly refugees, v 14-18

  8. Celestial phenomena, v 24-25

  9. Second Coming, v 26-27

When Jesus Returns

When Jesus Christ returns to planet earth, as He promised to do, several exciting things are going to happen in the life of every believer.

  1. We will see Him. The Psalmist says, “I will see Your face” (17:15).

  2. We will be transformed. John says, “We shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). David declares, “I will awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15).

    Why is this important? John says, “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).

    1. I am inspired to live godly today because I know that one day I am going to stand before the Lord face to face. There will be a judgment for believers. See 1 John 2:28.

    2. I am also inspired to live godly today because I know God wants me to become like Jesus. Knowing God’s will for my life, I gladly cooperate with His sanctifying process. I am eager to make progress in my journey toward Christ-likeness.

    At the culmination of history, we will at last be satisfied (Psalm 17:15) and will experience permanent joy that no one will take away (John 16:22).

Don't Miss the Obvious

Recently our daughter went on a mission trip to South Africa. Before returning home, they visited an animal reserve and went on a safari. She took some photographs which she later showed her mother and I.

"Do you see the lion?" she asked. I only saw animals in the distant background. Then after a moment of studying the photo, I saw the lion in the foreground. It's amazing how it blended into the foliage. I saw but I didn't perceive.

When the infant Jesus was taken up to the temple Simeon perceived and worshipped, the others did not. The Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and Levis were close enough to reach out and touch the Baby, but they failed to recognize the Christ Child (Luke 2:25-31).

When Jesus earthly life was almost finished, a voice boomed forth from the skies. Jesus heard and understood what the Father was saying, but others thought it was thunder. They heard, but didn't understand (John 12:23-29).

Are we perceiving and understanding? Are we seeing what is right in front of our eyes? We need to think deeply and not ignore the obvious (Genesis 37:11, Luke 2:19 & 51, Matthew 13:10-16, Hebrews 2:1).

Religion and Politics in Prophecy

In a recent post entitled, "Look up and Lift up your Heads," I wrote about some of the signs to look for prior to Christ's return (signs in the sky, signs on land, and signs in the ocean).

When natural disasters such as the aforementioned occur people tend to look for relief in religion or politics. They cry out, "God help us" or "Governement help us." Therefore, these two arenas are prophetically significant and merit close attention.

Keep an eye on politics (wars, revived Roman empire, seven year treaty with Israel, destruction of Babylon the great harlot, Antichrist, mark of the beast).

Keep an eye on religion (false Christs, False Prophet, one world religion, rebuilding of Jewish temple, abomination of desolation, apostasy, persecution, global missions).

The Bible says no man knows the day nor hour of Christ's return (Matt. 24:36). But by monitoring religion and politics we can discern the times and seasons (1 Thess. 5:1-5).

The Second Coming like the Days of Noah and Lot

In both the days of Noah and Lot there was 

  • destruction of the many
  • deliverance for the few

Prior to the flood God told Noah

 

 

 

Before the fire and brimstone fell on Sodom

Current events may be frightening, but we must keep trusting the Lord. He will see us through the coming storm. 

For further study see Luke 17:26-30.