GET TOGETHER- SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TIME THAT WE LIVE IN
Matthew 24 :3-12 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.”For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. “All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Well here is another one that I really was resisting writing, but I believe that the Holy Spirit is leading me to write this.
First of all, I am not an end times expert. I have had the privilege of reading, or hearing different sincere Christians share their views concerning the return of the Lord. Some are people with post tribulation views. Some are sincere Christians with pre tribulation views. And all can give you a good scriptural argument for their view. So, I take none of that lightly. I am not here to enter in to a debate over any of those views. There is one thing for sure that all of these would agree on and I would certainly agree is that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to return for His people to live with Him forever and ever.
What we are experiencing right now with this virus came on us unexpected and unprepared. It has shaken society and culture all over the world. I don’t want to come across as a hypocrite, because I love sports, our son is a coach, and most of our family has been involved in sports in some way most of our lives. But in this situation where we have seen big time sporting events cancelled could not God be speaking to us to give Him priority over these and some other things? No not for one minute do I believe that God sent the Coronavirus. But I do believe that it is a good time to allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts concerning those things that we consider most important in our lives.
Now with that said when I look at this passage there are several things that really get my attention. First of all be careful that you are not deceived by false prophets, or false teachers during this season. Or, by false Christs. Throughout history there have been some who proclaimed that they are the Messiah. 1Jo 4:3 “and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” One day there will be one last false Christ. He will deceive multitudes. He is going to look good. He is going to appear to solve all of the things that are wrong in the world. 2Th 2:8,9 And then the lawless one will revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.”
There are currently wars going on all over the world today. There were over 10,000 combat related deaths around the world last year. We also know of the tensions between our nation and Iran, Communist China, and several Islamic terrorist groups. There are famines in and the potential for more famine in several parts of the world.
Jesus spoke about pestilence. The Greek term for pestilence in this passage is loimos, loy’-mos. It means a plague, or the disease. I think that this world wide pandemic would certainly fall into that category.
One more thing before I get to the conclusion. I know that many will say well there have been wars, and rumors of war throughout history. Many will say that there have been various plagues, earthquakes at various times throughout history. Well we are told that there will be scoffers in the last days. 2Pe 3:3,4 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” I have actually one more thing before the conclusion. First of all, we are living at a time where lawlessness definitely abounds. Watch the news and read the Scriptures and you will get the point.
You may be saying well Preston what are you trying to say through all of this. First of all I am not saying that I know when Jesus will return. Mt 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. I do believe that I would be negligent as a Christian, and as an evangelist to not tell people that we need to be ready every day to meet the Lord. My eschatological position is to be ready every day and you will be ready on that day.
As I read Matthew 24 I believe that the Holy Spirit is saying to me that just as this caught many unprepared. Be sure that you are not caught unprepared, on the day the Lord returns. And don’t be caught unprepared the day that you pass from this life. Whether someone is post tribulation, or pretribulation I receive you as my brother and sister in Christ. All true Christians believe that our Lord will come back for His people who remain alive on the earth. He will bring those who have gone before us with Him. When He returns may He find us advancing His Kingdom here on the earth.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus we thank You that You have told us to be aware of the things that are going on in the world at the nearness of Your return. We don’t know when You are coming back. We are paying attention to many of the things that are mentioned in the Word of God preceding Your return. Help us today to use our time in a way that brings others into Your Kingdom. We long for the day that we touch Your nail scarred hands. Until that time may we be about what You have called us to do.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Remember : Be ready everyday and you will be ready on the day!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
Real Party Ministry 