"Born for such a time as this"
These are words that could, in fact, have been applicable to various times in history. Beliefs about the world's impending end are at the foundation of Christianity.
Jesus, himself taught that the end was near. In the book of Mark, Jesus promised spectacular events will occur in the world's last days. These events include the sun being darkened, the moon covered or turned off as to prevent it from giving light, and stars will start falling from heaven. When this happens, Jesus claimed he would be coming through the clouds with great power and glory and he would be sending angels to gather the chosen from all over the earth.
Before this happens, there will be other changes, changes we are seeing in today's world.
2 Timothy 3:5- But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Matthew 24:10-12 “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets (already present) will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”
The Olivet Discourse is the end times according to Jesus and is worth the time to read. There are many scriptures, as well as the current events in the news, which match the descriptions in the Bible perfectly, all adding up to one thing, Jesus will be returning soon...(or at least sooner than when those words were first spoken).
There are those who say He has already returned; I certainly hope not, because if this is post- tribulation, I am really disappointed. Most of us are waiting on the Lord and many wonders when, and some make an effort to predict the day and hour, something Jesus didn't even know himself.
Mark 13:32 "But concerning the day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
1 Thessalonians 5:1-9:1
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Wow! For me, that all means that Jesus waits also for the Father to say "Today Son, go get your bride today" ... Matthew 24:36 (ESV) ". #Jesus #Lion of the Tribe of Judah our soon & coming King who is Without Rival!
No One Knows That Day and Hour
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The second coming is not going to be the picnic some believe it will be. For many, grasping the concept that "Every Knee Shall Bow" is incomprehensible. Bowing will not only apply to those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, it will apply to every last person on this planet. We will all have to be accountable for everything we have ever done in our lives. That's huge! Every lie, every deception, every time we were mean to someone, every time we ignored his promptings to give more, do more, be more. How we treated others, including and especially, our parents and the strangers who we didn't realize were angels.
Hebrews 13:2(ESV) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
With all of this in mind, what are we doing to prepare for is return? Are we participating in Kingdom work when he invites us to do so, or are we ignoring His requests, out of fear or selfishness? Are we using the spiritual and other gifts he gave us or ignoring them in an effort to make more money or just do what we want?
What will Jesus find here on earth when He arrives? If He suddenly knocked on your door, what would He find you doing?
Luke 18:7-8 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Would you even let Him in or would you make excuses and ask Him to come back on an appointed day at an arranged time?
If you did invite Him in, would you be proud of the things He would see, or would you be making excuses?
What's on your bookshelves, and what might you be listening to on your stereo or watching on your television or what would he find on your computer that would convict you?
Are we worthy of His presence, or do we just waste one day after another? Do we put off reading the scriptures, studying His words with our families and friends? Do we surround ourselves with people who are worthy of us, as well as Him? Do we truly want to be a part of His world...His Kingdom or not?
If we were arrested and charged with being Christians, would there be enough evidence for a court of law to declare us guilty?
Romans 14:11(ESV) for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
If you're not prepared, there's no time like the present...
False prophets video is worth a listen, even if you don't agree with its entirety.
Reference points included. I have added some additional links that may be of interest:
http://trackingbibleprophecy.org/olivet.php
https://www.gotquestions.org/Olivet-discourse.html
https://bible.org/article/parables-olivet-discourse-matthew-25
https://www.tms.edu/m/tmsj13f.pdf
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/olivet-discourse/
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/the-olivet-discourse/
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