Thoughts on His Coming

Monday, January 17, 2002

Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:26)

Literally, "men expiring from fear," or "men fainting from fear." What Jesus was saying is simply this, men will dread to see Him come. They will flee, because they know that their hearts are not right.

Image for moment what it will be like when Jesus returns. Everyone will know that the consequence of sin would be death. Then all of a sudden, like a thief in the night, Judgment Day arrives. It will be too late to ask for forgiveness. It will be too late to offer up a prayer. It will be too late to say I'm sorry. It is too late and there will be no way out.

So men will run, trying to find a place of escape. The will ask the mountains to fall on them. They will seek for caves and holes to bury them. However, at every turn they make, the dreaded site of the One who comes to enact judgment stares them in the face.

My friends, today is the day of salvation. If you hear Him call, surrender you heart, because on that day, it will be too late. So, purpose in your heart this morning, that you will be among the redeemed that cry, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us. " (Isa. 25:9)

Walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to someone else.

Tuesday, January 08, 2002

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job 19:25, 26. 

What a transformation that took place within Job. He had gone from despair to confidence and hope of seeing his redeemer. One writer said, "From the depths of discouragement and despondency Job rose to the heights of implicit trust in the mercy and the saving power of God." -- Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, 163. 

Job was confident of seeing Christ on that latter day. He knew that he would be able to stand before his judge, for he knew that his life was in order. However, some have a strange idea that Jesus comes for everyone: good, bad or indifferent. They paint a picture of all having salvation regardless of whether they know it or not. Some teach that non will be lost. However, these teachings are foreign to the Bible.

What will it take to stand on that day before the Lord?

David said, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." Psalm 24:4. Have you?

Isaiah said, "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness." Isaiah 1:27. The converts to the kingdom of heaven are righteous. See also Revelation 22:11, 1.2

Jesus said, "Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Matthew 13:30. In addition Paul said, "then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." 2 Thess. 2:8

We must be clean to see the Lord on that day. If you miss this point, you lose everything. But -- if you get this point, you gain eternal life. Don't be decided I entreat you. He is coming back for a church "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Eph. 5:27.

Now, does that sound like everyone will be SAVED! I encourage your input.

Friday, January 04, 2002

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22:20. 

It is an odd thing. The Bible describes the Second Coming as quickly and many have doubted. But what's in your mind?

Jesus says, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Rev. 3:11. We are reminded that we can loose our crown.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Rev. 22:7. We are reminded that obedience is important.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev. 22:12. Finally, we are reminded that there is a reward for all, salvation or death (2 Cor. 7:10, Rom. 6:23).

But most of all, Peter says, it is the scoffer, the unbeliever who doesn't believe. He says, "the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming?" 2 Peter 3:3,4.

Do you believer?

November 26, 2001

The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (Jer. 8:20)

In Palestine there where two basic harvest. one came around April and the other around August or September. If the grain crops failed in April, there was hope for the fruit crops in August or September. However, the last crop, the fruit harvest, had past for Judah. The last chance had come and gone and they were not delivered. Judah's doom was certain.

Soon for this world the last summer will come, the last harvest reaped and the last prayer heard. Then from the lips of our Lord and Savior will be heard, "IT IS DONE!" "IT IS FINISHED!" Go and "gather together [my] elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven," (Mark 13:27). Where will you be on that great and terrible day?

This morning, it is my prayer that we prepare ourselves to meet our Lord and Saviour. That we relinquish our own robes and be "clothed upon" with "the righteousness which is of God by faith." (3 Cor. 5:4, Phil. 3:9). Behold, I come quickly, (Revelation 22:12a) is what our Lord says to you and me today.