“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, NKJV)
He’s not going to call ahead … text us in advance …. send a coded Twitter warning or Face Book post announcing His coming … no email in large font characters to get our attention in order to warn us that He is coming!
The fact is … not even the Lord Himself knows! Listen to the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 13:32, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
There are those in this world who scoff and make light of the “hope” that we as the people of God have and hold on to (2 Peter 3:3), but the Day will come when there will be no more scoffing or making light of His coming!
What I want to tell you is this … you and I find ourselves this day, TODAY, one day closer to that Day! In view of the assurance this will take place … how are we to live … what are we to be doing … between now and then?
The Apostle Paul was urging these brethren who had questions about the Lord’s coming to be living the kind of life and possessing the kind of character that reflected both preparation and anticipation!
There is life that is to emerge if one believes in the trustworthiness of God’s Good Book, the Bible! And each of us will be judged by what is found in the pages of His Book. Again, may we listen to the words of Jesus Himself when He said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
The question is: Are we listening to Him?
May we never ever forget that the second coming of the Son of God will not only bring an end to this world and deliver the disobedient to God’s punishment … it will also usher the faithful to heaven!
It has never been God’s desire that any of us should perish (2 Peter 3:9, 10), but that all of us would be saved! The difference lies between obedience and disobedience to His will (Matthew 7:21)!
So, there are two exhortations that we are compelled to make to any and all who read this article … and both of them bring with them a sense of urgency … because we just don’t know when that Day will arrive!
The first exhortation is to those who are already His people and striving to serve Him daily: Don’t become indifferent or over confident. Continue to grow in His grace and mercy … and share the good news with a lost and dying world!
The second exhortation is those who have not named the name of Christ and accepted the provisions of the Gospel: Because He hasn’t returned yet doesn’t mean He is not coming! And when He does come, if you are unprepared you will not be able to escape the Judgment.
I want to go to Heaven when this short life is over, don’t you! I hope so! I pray that is so! And may the love, grace and mercy of our Lord move each of us to get ready … there is a great Day coming … and we are one day closer!
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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