For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
(1 Thessalonians 5:2)
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
(Matthew 25:13)
Jesus is coming back! Did you know that? He is, He promised!
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.
(John 14:3)
If He came back today, are you ready? Are you watching, are you expecting the real possibility that He just might come back today? He really might!
Most don’t believe it. Most won’t expect it when Jesus comes back, as it says above – it will be like a thief in the night – unexpected, shocking, sudden….yet it will happen nonetheless
Tonight, Wednesday Sept 8th 2010, at Sunset, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah begins. This is a celebration that is called the Feast of Trumpets in the Bible. It is the first of three Jewish feasts that take place in the Fall. Each of these three feasts is a Biblical foreshadowing of the end times.
Let me explain a little more. There are seven main Jewish Feasts given to us in the Bible (Lev 23) – and interestingly they are all incredible pictures of the work of Jesus.
- The first three take place during the Spring and picture the first coming of Christ – His death and resurrection amazingly.
- The fourth is Pentecost and takes place at the beginning of summer. This feast pictures the work that is still ongoing, God saving people from every tribe – a harvest of souls.
- The last three picture the Second Coming of Jesus – the Rapture, the Second coming of Christ and the joy of heaven.
As the Fall Feasts roll around (starting tonight), it is always a good time for me to examine my heart and see if I am in line with what is coming…ready…watching as Jesus commanded.
So, let me ask another question: If you and I are to be watching for Jesus return (and we are), how are we to be watching? Consider these instructions in 2 Peter
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation
(2 Peter 3:14–15)
First – a longing expectation.
looking forward to these things
We ought to be looking forward to it and even longing for it. In 2 Tim 4:8, it calls us to be those who “love His appearing” – and we should. Today, your heart should long for the very real possibility that Jesus can and might come back today. Are you longing, looking forward to and even praying for Jesus to come back soon? I am.
Second – a ready expectation
be diligent to be found by Him in peace,
without spot and blameless
If you really expect that Jesus might come back today, it will effect how you live. You would honestly evaluate things you are doing and question whether you would like Jesus to find you doing that when He comes back. You would seek to purify your life so that when He returns, it will be peace to you and in your hearts. I call you today, honestly and with purity - be ready!
Third – a patient expectation
consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation
God lets us know in 2 Peter, that every day that He waits…it is for salvation – for more people to be saved. As much as we should want God to return, we ought also to rejoice that every day He waits, it is a display of His heart to save more. He is not going to wait forever - there is a day He is returning – but if He does not return today…it is because He is saving more – which is so wonderful! Today, such a trust in God’s timing, work and faithfulness should flavor our heart, and yet not dampen our expectation – they go hand in hand.
So, what do you think – if Jesus comes back today…are you ready and watching?
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
(Mark 13:35–37)
Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.
(Luke 12:37)
Jim
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