The End Of The End Times
The end times officially began when Christ ascended into the clouds with the promise of His imminent return. The time of that return is know only to Father God. Jesus could have returned a few minutes or hours after His ascension or anytime there after. It has been over 2,000 years now and those of us who love Jesus are still waiting and watching as we keep a close watch upon the signs of the times.
Over the centuries, there have been many Christians who when comparing the prophecies with the events of their lifetime, have been certain that Christ's return would be during their lifetime. There have also been prophets who have been so bold as to even set dates for the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. Some have even stopped all that they were doing to gather in an appointed spot to await Jesus on a date specified by these prophets. From the Montanists, to the Adventists, to those of The Church of God, all have been disappointed as Christ's date of arrival was, again, postponed.
We live in exciting days in a globalized culture that to many Christians appears ripe for the unfolding of Biblical prophetic events. I also interpret the signs and watch the clouds waiting for my Savior's return. I wait in anticipation but many Christians who are young in the Lord, watch with fear and in trepidation. With lives yet to be lived and young dreams yet to be fulfilled, the idea of the Tribulation and near destruction of the planet only adds to the uncertainty that is inherent to living in a world under the constant shadow of death. Satan, who knows he can't remove a born again Christian from the hand of God and devour him or her, looks for every opportunity to use fear against us. Satan's great power is fear. Even such godly fear as that involved in reading the signs of the times according to scripture can be an opportunity for the evil one. By tweaking this fear, he is able to distract many Christians and cause them to lose their focus upon Christ.
When Christians take their eyes off of Jesus and their mind begins to wander away from the narrow path, they are easily sidelined from the mainstream of Christian life and service. All Christians should study prophecy and be aware of the season they are living in; but we should never substitute prophetic signs for walking by faith. If we begin to live our lives in response to events in the world that seem to be fulfilling what we read in the Bible, then we have begun to walk by sight and not by faith. If we join groups of believers who are bound together by the same understanding of prophecy or around a prophetic teacher, then we have left the church to form a cult. The true church gathers in the Name of Jesus, whether they be two or more, not around any teacher or set of teachings. The difference is subtle but insidious,in keeping with Satan's manipulative, conspiratorial style.
Jesus is coming soon. We don't know the year, the month, the day, the hour, or the minute; and He will come at an hour we don't expect. He will come like a thief in the night. In the twinkling of an eye, we will meet Him in the air and be changed. We will be glorified. We must stay aware and not give up our hope in expectation. We must remain mindful of the season and continue to read the signs of our time. We must not lose our focus upon Jesus and we must continue to walk not by what we see but by our faith, which is only, Jesus. Our Salvation is in Christ alone. Our Sanctification is Christ alone. Our Redemption too will be Christ alone. For as long as we remain in this Age of Grace, the age of God's long suffering towards mankind, there is nothing more required of us than holding on to Jesus and trusting that He is holding on to us.
Measure all things according to the character of Jesus Christ.
Over the centuries, there have been many Christians who when comparing the prophecies with the events of their lifetime, have been certain that Christ's return would be during their lifetime. There have also been prophets who have been so bold as to even set dates for the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. Some have even stopped all that they were doing to gather in an appointed spot to await Jesus on a date specified by these prophets. From the Montanists, to the Adventists, to those of The Church of God, all have been disappointed as Christ's date of arrival was, again, postponed.
We live in exciting days in a globalized culture that to many Christians appears ripe for the unfolding of Biblical prophetic events. I also interpret the signs and watch the clouds waiting for my Savior's return. I wait in anticipation but many Christians who are young in the Lord, watch with fear and in trepidation. With lives yet to be lived and young dreams yet to be fulfilled, the idea of the Tribulation and near destruction of the planet only adds to the uncertainty that is inherent to living in a world under the constant shadow of death. Satan, who knows he can't remove a born again Christian from the hand of God and devour him or her, looks for every opportunity to use fear against us. Satan's great power is fear. Even such godly fear as that involved in reading the signs of the times according to scripture can be an opportunity for the evil one. By tweaking this fear, he is able to distract many Christians and cause them to lose their focus upon Christ.
When Christians take their eyes off of Jesus and their mind begins to wander away from the narrow path, they are easily sidelined from the mainstream of Christian life and service. All Christians should study prophecy and be aware of the season they are living in; but we should never substitute prophetic signs for walking by faith. If we begin to live our lives in response to events in the world that seem to be fulfilling what we read in the Bible, then we have begun to walk by sight and not by faith. If we join groups of believers who are bound together by the same understanding of prophecy or around a prophetic teacher, then we have left the church to form a cult. The true church gathers in the Name of Jesus, whether they be two or more, not around any teacher or set of teachings. The difference is subtle but insidious,in keeping with Satan's manipulative, conspiratorial style.
Jesus is coming soon. We don't know the year, the month, the day, the hour, or the minute; and He will come at an hour we don't expect. He will come like a thief in the night. In the twinkling of an eye, we will meet Him in the air and be changed. We will be glorified. We must stay aware and not give up our hope in expectation. We must remain mindful of the season and continue to read the signs of our time. We must not lose our focus upon Jesus and we must continue to walk not by what we see but by our faith, which is only, Jesus. Our Salvation is in Christ alone. Our Sanctification is Christ alone. Our Redemption too will be Christ alone. For as long as we remain in this Age of Grace, the age of God's long suffering towards mankind, there is nothing more required of us than holding on to Jesus and trusting that He is holding on to us.
Measure all things according to the character of Jesus Christ.
2 Comments:
My favorite part:
"...we should never substitute prophetic signs for walking by faith."
I think Satan does prey on fear about the end times -and also the pride of some who are puffed up in thinking they know more than others. The one who fears absolutely the extent of God's reign is delivered from judgment.
Your favorite part, the meat of it.:0)You're good at getting to the heart of things.
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