Last week, we discussed the truth vs. the lie, and how these things relate to the return of Christ, and the day of the Lord. Let's see what the prophets have to say concerning these events, and how we should be preparing ourselves for them:
"Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the LORD God hath spoken, who can but prophecy?" Amos 3:6-8
The prophetic word of God is like a trumpet sounding an alert, like a lion giving his warning roar. It requires a reaction from us. A wise man takes these warnings seriously, and reacts accordingly. The LORD announces these warnings so that those who will give heed to them will have knowledge and become prepared.
In Revelation, as the Seven Vials of Wrath are released by the angels, a warning is given:
"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Rev. 16:15
We are now in the period of tribulation spoken of in the word of God. Christians are persecuted, even to death in some places, and are blamed for everything. This is the time when God warns His people to be watching. It is not the time to be distracted by worldly things, or fleshly concerns. The warning in the Gospel of Luke says:
"Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overtaken...and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare it shall come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Lk. 21:34-36
We are to be watching for the day, praying, and keeping our hearts unblemished in His righteousness. It is not our own righteousness that keeps us, but Christ's righteousness, paid for each one of us in His own blood. We are to keep our hearts, and our spiritual garments in this saving righteousness. It is a righteousness that does not compromise truth, and does not compromise with sin and death.
The day of the return of Christ has not yet occurred. At His coming, the dead in Christ are raised first, and then we who are still alive join them and Christ (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Paul warned the Church not to be ignorant. There are conditions and events which precede Christ's return. Paul delivered the word of the Lord regarding this event:
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:1-4 (excerpt)
The first event that precedes the coming of Christ is a "falling away". This is the Greek word, apostasea, meaning "defection from truth". As we discovered last week, the lie that deceives man, and separates him from God and truth, questions and challenges everything in God's word. We have seen this condition today like never before. Even in the Church, apostasea is taking its toll. According to statistics, in 1972, 16% of Americans in mainstream denominations described themselves as evangelical Christians. By 1977, that number increased to 24%, and again, by 1993, the number increased to 30%, approximately one in three Americans. However, as of today's figures, that number has dropped to 24%, only 10% of whom identify themselves with a mainstream denomination. In 1972, those who then described themselves as either atheist or agnostic were 5%. Now that figure has increased to 24%. The numbers show that fewer are believing, and more are becoming unbelievers. We see daily the manifestation of these statistics in our culture, as secular humanism**, even the perverse, the demonic, and the repudiators of Christ gain more and more influence, even over our children, which has always been their declared goal. The Church seeks "peace" in this turmoil by compromising truth, and the wicked are justified for a reward. Evil is called good, and good, evil. Hell is enlarged, and scoffers jeer at the idea of God intervening in judgment. The LORD is angry with His own people as they deny the truth, and accept the lie, and are taken in captivity because of it, but His hand is stretched out still to them. Never doubt, "... the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness." (Isa. 5:13-25).
The LORD is waiting for His people to repent, pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. He will hear from heaven, and heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14).
Paul wrote that "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God...." (1 Thess. 4:16). These are the sounds of warning, and the sounds of warfare and victory. His coming will be sudden and when least expected, like a thief in the night. Are you ready?
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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