For such a time as this?

The day predicted as “Judgment day” passed like any other day. It was fairly unremarkable except for the erupting of a volcano which had been dormant for over 100 years. For some who had chosen to put their trust in man rather than in the Holy Scriptures, it was a day of bitter disappointment as many lost their livelihood as they gambled on a date for the end of the world and a secret rapture of the faithful.

It is clear that we are living in the time of the end. Crazy and doomed to failure though it may have been, the prediction of the end of the world revealed the state of our present world and its attitude to God. The jokes and hollow mockery on social networking sites revealed that God is least important in the minds of most people today. The words of 2 Pet 3:3-10 seem like a fitting description of the religious climate of our day. “Where is the promise of His Coming?” they taunt.  “If He were really coming back, don’t you think He should have returned by now? Perhaps He is not coming back and your belief is an empty fable.”

We are left to do damage control as many are swept into lies and delusions, choosing to silence the voice of the Spirit of God calling them to repentance. In a climate like this, it is extremely difficult to continue an active witness for Christ without facing discouragement. In these times, remember that the state of the world was predicted in the Holy Scriptures long before our world had reached its current “Postmodern” era.

The Bible tells the story of a young girl, Esther, who became queen. Her people faced the threat of genocide and she was spurred into action by her cousin who said: “If you hold your peace thinking you’re safe in the palace, God will still arise to deliver His people but maybe you were brought into the kingdom for such a time as this.” God saw it fit to give you the privilege of living and ministering to His people in the time of the end. Though it may be discouraging when the response to the message you deliver is negative, continue and persevere in the work of telling others about God’s love and the plan of salvation. Your job is to scatter the seed and leave the increase to God.

Evangelism is not an event; it is a lifestyle. Think about practical ways of ministering to others. Take it one day at a time. Resolve each day to do at least one thing in the service of the Master. Both the young and old have a place in His service. Blessed is the disciple who will be found working when His Master returns. Don’t worry about the date of His return for you have much work to do! His return is sure. (2 Tim 4:1-8, Heb 6:10-12, John 9:4, 1 Cor 3:5-15)

Scripture refs: Esther 4, 2 Pet 3:3-14, Mk 13:34-37

Judgment Day-Are you Ready?

Jesus is coming soon. We can see the signs around us every day. Not a week goes by without some news of a natural disaster somewhere in the world. Creation is groaning under the weight of sin and waiting for the final day of reckoning when evil will forever be banished and the earth and heavens will be filled with the glory of the Lord like the waters cover the sea. (Is 11:9, Hab 2:14, Rom 8:22)

However, in our anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ, we must not forget to best utilize the time given to us now. When He comes on the clouds of glory, there will be no time for character development and the putting away of sin. The Bible says in Rev 22:11 that the unjust will remain unjust, the filthy will remain filthy and the righteous will remain righteous. It will be too late then to improve your character. The wicked will pray that the rocks may fall on them to hide them from the consuming presence of a holy King (Rev 6:16).

Just as the Jews of old were given a timeline to put away sin and to accept the promised Messiah (Dan 9:24) , so we are given a timeline today for character development so that we can be ready to receive Him in joy at His second coming.

God does not regard sin by degrees of severity although we, in our human nature, are guilty of condemning others for their sins which  we deem more serious than the sins in our own lives which are too easily rationalized away. To God, lying is just as abominable as murder. There will be liars outside the gates of city of God together with the murderers and anyone who breaks God’s commandments and refuses to repent and receive the salvation freely provided by Christ’s atoning sacrifice (Rev 22:15). Lying is an expensive business. It costs time and causes undue stress as one lie normally leads to another until a complicated web of deceit is spun which eventually usually ends up trapping the liar!

On a hill called Calvary, Jesus settled the score once and for all. The playing fields were leveled and we, as Christian disciples, are called to know the seriousness of sin and that it’s not the size of the sin that matters (Luke 7:41-47). If there was only one liar in the world, the commandments would still have been broken and his careless lie would still have cost Jesus His life.

This life on earth is our training ground for the eternal life we will one day inherit. If we cannot learn how to renounce evil now, what makes us think that we will be able to renounce evil later so as to be part of God’s Kingdom? Although renouncing of sin does not earn you eternal life*, it is a sign that you have responded to God’s forgiveness in love and thankfulness and that you are in a right standing with Him. 

Just as a student burns the midnight oil to pass an examination, so we must spend time with God to refine our characters for the greatest test of all-Judgement Day. IT CAN BE A DAY OF FEAR OR EXCITEMENT; DEATH OR LIFE. YOU CHOOSE!

PS:Although some people have said that today would herald the end of the world, the Bible does not give any specific dates for Christ's return. Read Mark 13:28-37. Jesus said that no man knows the hour, not even the angels or Himself but only the Father. However, we can see by the signs around us that His Coming is drawing nearer.

Scripture refs: Matt 25:1-13;Rev 22:11,15; Luke 7:36-50

* eternal life CANNOT be earned, but it is a free gift to ALL who accept Christ as personal Saviour.