Like never before, the signs of the times indicate that the end of this age is approaching, and the return of Jesus Christ is near. However, there is little sense of urgency in the Church. The apostles of the New Testament, and many of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers of the Church today, continue to urge the believers to recognize the signs of the times in which we live, and prepare for what God is calling us to be and do.
As we see evil accelerate around us, the apostle Paul teaches us not to be partakers with evil conduct (Eph. 5:1-7), but to be children and followers of God, being and walking in the light of Christ:
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk ye as children of light....See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:8, 15-17
We become "redeemers of time" by understanding, being, and doing the will of the Lord. Evil has tried to become sovereign over the day, but the will of the Lord, as He defined days, was by His creative work (Gen. 1:4-31). He pronounced each work, and each day as "good", and "very good". Creation is groaning for the manifestation of the children, the sons of God to be the Christ light, the "or" light shining into the days to redeem them from the hold of evil. This "or" light of Christ is the light of day, prosperity, life, instruction, illumination. It is described as glorious, fire, and shining. For what communion hath light with darkness? We are not of the night, nor of darkness (2 Cor. 6:15, 1 Thess. 5:5), and all of our ways must reflect this, if we are to redeem the time.
Moses, the man of God, prayed in Psalm 90:12:
"So teach (to have intimate knowledge, to reveal, to experience) us to number (prepare, appoint, ordain, divide out) our days that we may apply (enter into, bring, attain) our hearts unto wisdom (be wise, show wisdom, teach wisdom).
This wisdom, revelation, intimate knowledge, and preparation comes from searching the scriptures. Jesus said to those who prided themselves on their knowledge and study of scripture:
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me...there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me." Jn. 5:39, 45-46
Searching the scriptures refers not just to reading or learning, but to "seeking, considering, enquiring, reflecting upon, and inspecting". It even means "ploughing", or digging beneath the surface for the intimate knowledge to be revealed there. So many of those to whom Jesus spoke this studied the scriptures to bolster their already held positions or beliefs. They used the scriptures to argue and debate. They used them to create a religious system of rules to establish their own righteousness. However, the LORD looked down from heaven to see if there were any that did understand and seek God, but there were none that was doing good, not one (Ps. 14:1-3, Rom. 3:10). They read the scriptures, but they did not search them for the heart and will of God. If they had, they would have discovered Christ in them.
Paul wrote about visiting with a people in Berea, who heard his Gospel message with all readiness of mind, but then went to scripture to search them daily to see for themselves the intimate truth revealed therein (Acts 17:10-12). Not only did many Jews believe there, but also Gentiles because of this willingness to delve deeply into God's will. The word "Berea" means "well watered". They were indeed a people who were well watered in the Word of God. We are called to be Bereans in our time, searching and seeking daily, the intimate knowledge of God in His Word. It is not enough to be hearers only, but we must search it out ourselves, in order to become "doers".
There are many today who do not know, nor believe, the signs of the times in which we live. There were also those in the time of Christ (Mt. 16:1-4). For those of us who are aware of the lateness of the hour, and the signs of His coming, there is something expected of us. We are to redeem the time, we are to be the light of Christ in the darkness of surrounding evil. Our days, hours, and minutes are not our own, but are ordained, divided out, and appointed with this calling. Search the scriptures, find in them the testimony of Christ, and be that light.
To hear the complete message from Apostle Ken Stevenson visit
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
To contact/give
Everlasting Covenant
PO Box 155
Christmas, Fl. 32709
No comments:
Post a Comment