The Holy One calls to me this morning. The darkness of the night gives way to the light of a new day. I hear the voice of the Spirit as He speaks to the symbolism of the darkness and the light.
"Sin covers the land like a blanket but the day is coming when the darkness will give way to the light of a whole new world."
What a comforting thought amid all the news of evil advancing into what was once a more peaceful place. Words have been written and these days foretold. Jesus spoke clearly about these days and His words have been recorded in Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
Over the course of the history of earth and man, wars and rumors of wars have shaken down nations and the people therein. Munitions to destroy all of life as we know it are sophisticated and plentiful. So what is different today? And can we interpret that what we are experiencing is the "end times" of Biblical prophesy?
In my lifetime, I have seen such an acceleration of knowledge that it makes my head spin. With the acceleration of knowledge, comes the escalation of evil. There are just a multitude of ways to rob, kill and destroy anything that gets in the way of self-promotion, or lust for human power and control.
While there are countless men and women using their creative minds and passionate hearts to alleviate human suffering, there are murderous and evil dominated people blowing up the planes carrying them to important destinations along with other innocents who are just along for the ride.
There are nations seeking peace, but it seems that more and more wicked individuals are seeking war.
Luke 21:10-36: Jesus said to His disciples, "Watch out that you are not deceived, for many will come in my Name saying, "I am he" and "the time is near". Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away".
Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes, famines and pestilence in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven". Jesus goes on to reveal that persecutions will come upon His disciples and followers. Christians following our leader, Jesus the Christ, will be hated.
While wars and persecutions have taken place since the time of Christ's days on earth, there are events to come that will signal the final countdown of man's days and the end of the world we now live in.
There will be a day on the calendar when the Lord will return and bring His chosen ones into a world without sin. But in the meantime:
Luke 21:20 says, "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that the desolation is near. Vs 24 says, "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles (non-Jew) until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On earth nations will be in anguish and in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive at what is coming on the world, for the Heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Vs 22, "AT THAT TIME, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud in power and great Glory. When these things take place, stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near".
These words at this time in history need to be etched into our brains because Jesus goes on to say, Vs 34, "Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the earth. Be always on the watch and pray you will be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man".
While the warning is general, the way of escape is personal: "Pray you will be able to escape". "Pray you will be able to stand before the Son of Man". Only as we call upon the Name of the Lord will we find personal security and then be able to help others find theirs.
Since religious persecution and worldly dissipation are to be expected during these perilous end times, there is a Holy mandate to encourage and love each other within the Body of Christ. As the day draws near, we need to stop what has been tantamount to "shooting the wounded" within our ranks. We need to break away from the ungodly fears that promote unholy judgement of others called by His Name.
We need great discernment that comes from our relationship with the Lord, through His Holy Spirit to rightly identify the real threats and be willing to come alongside the Godly, but weaker vessels, among us. We need to warn and then to help others to pray.
These warnings are clear and the directives firm. Be full of care so as not to fall victim, and do not be frightened by all that you see unfold. And then, the Great Commission commands that we throw a lifeline out to those who are about to perish. Our peace becomes a beacon light that draws others to our Savior.
I do pray that I will be able to escape all that is coming upon the world. I do pray that I will be able to stand before Jesus., the Son of Man How about you? Are you ready for His return?
The Holy Spirit is calling. Can you hear Him?
"Sin covers the land like a blanket but the day is coming when the darkness will give way to the light of a whole new world."
What a comforting thought amid all the news of evil advancing into what was once a more peaceful place. Words have been written and these days foretold. Jesus spoke clearly about these days and His words have been recorded in Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
Over the course of the history of earth and man, wars and rumors of wars have shaken down nations and the people therein. Munitions to destroy all of life as we know it are sophisticated and plentiful. So what is different today? And can we interpret that what we are experiencing is the "end times" of Biblical prophesy?
In my lifetime, I have seen such an acceleration of knowledge that it makes my head spin. With the acceleration of knowledge, comes the escalation of evil. There are just a multitude of ways to rob, kill and destroy anything that gets in the way of self-promotion, or lust for human power and control.
While there are countless men and women using their creative minds and passionate hearts to alleviate human suffering, there are murderous and evil dominated people blowing up the planes carrying them to important destinations along with other innocents who are just along for the ride.
There are nations seeking peace, but it seems that more and more wicked individuals are seeking war.
Luke 21:10-36: Jesus said to His disciples, "Watch out that you are not deceived, for many will come in my Name saying, "I am he" and "the time is near". Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away".
Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes, famines and pestilence in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven". Jesus goes on to reveal that persecutions will come upon His disciples and followers. Christians following our leader, Jesus the Christ, will be hated.
While wars and persecutions have taken place since the time of Christ's days on earth, there are events to come that will signal the final countdown of man's days and the end of the world we now live in.
There will be a day on the calendar when the Lord will return and bring His chosen ones into a world without sin. But in the meantime:
Luke 21:20 says, "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that the desolation is near. Vs 24 says, "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles (non-Jew) until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On earth nations will be in anguish and in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive at what is coming on the world, for the Heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Vs 22, "AT THAT TIME, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud in power and great Glory. When these things take place, stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near".
These words at this time in history need to be etched into our brains because Jesus goes on to say, Vs 34, "Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the earth. Be always on the watch and pray you will be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man".
While the warning is general, the way of escape is personal: "Pray you will be able to escape". "Pray you will be able to stand before the Son of Man". Only as we call upon the Name of the Lord will we find personal security and then be able to help others find theirs.
Since religious persecution and worldly dissipation are to be expected during these perilous end times, there is a Holy mandate to encourage and love each other within the Body of Christ. As the day draws near, we need to stop what has been tantamount to "shooting the wounded" within our ranks. We need to break away from the ungodly fears that promote unholy judgement of others called by His Name.
We need great discernment that comes from our relationship with the Lord, through His Holy Spirit to rightly identify the real threats and be willing to come alongside the Godly, but weaker vessels, among us. We need to warn and then to help others to pray.
These warnings are clear and the directives firm. Be full of care so as not to fall victim, and do not be frightened by all that you see unfold. And then, the Great Commission commands that we throw a lifeline out to those who are about to perish. Our peace becomes a beacon light that draws others to our Savior.
I do pray that I will be able to escape all that is coming upon the world. I do pray that I will be able to stand before Jesus., the Son of Man How about you? Are you ready for His return?
The Holy Spirit is calling. Can you hear Him?
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