Yes, my friend, yet another "Bible Teacher" has worked out the 'hidden meanings' of the Scripture and determined that God's Judgment Day is now set for 2011! In the run up to his conclusion, he sets aside the clear warning of Jesus about date setting for the Second Coming found in Acts 1:7 where we read: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority." (Acts 1:7, NIV) This same 'teacher,' by the way, publicly stated that Jesus' return would be in 1988, and later revised his conclusion to 1994! Here's why I get so irritated with those who try to figure out a date for the Second Coming or the Judgment or the Rapture of the Church: it diminishes the credibility and importance of the Truth.
Even among sincere Believers the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ has become something of a joke because of all the false date-setting and nonsense that sensational preachers wrap around the truth. What ought to be beacon that gives great hope and purpose to our lives becomes a forgotten byword, an obscure doctrine relegated to the back pages of our minds.
I believe that the Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ will return to earth and that He will establish the Kingdom of God visibly among us. It is a keystone doctrine of my Christian faith. For me, and all faithful Christians, the hope of Christ's return is the "Blessed Hope," as it ought to be. These are the Last Days. Yes, I said, it. Are you shocked? Are you asking, "Jerry, do you actually believe the 2011 prophets?" No, not at all. They are foolish and a terrible hindrance to the work of God right here, right now.
Jesus declared that He would come again and that His coming was 'soon.' That was 2 millennia past. Was He mistaken? Dumb question, isn't it? I believe that we are living in the Last Days for two reasons. The first is that history and prophecy for an eternal God looks very different than it does to us who live 'in the moment' and with a grasp on a very short window in time. Second, He knew that for each of us the 'last days' are a reality. Generations come and go so quickly. In our lives the opportunity to do God's work is now, for tomorrow may never come. In that sense, I believe that I am living in the last days.
The promise of the Second Coming is of great comfort, but adds no urgency to my life. If somehow I knew that Jesus would physically sit on a throne in Jerusalem in 2011, nothing about my life would change! I am doing His work right now, living for Him right now, trusting His Word right now, and obeying His will right now. And, that is as it should be. Jesus told a story of servants who were prepared for the return of the owner of the household. "Be ready and keep your lamps burning just like those servants who wait up for their master to return from a wedding feast. As soon as he comes and knocks, they open the door for him. Servants are fortunate if their master finds them awake and ready when he comes! I promise you that he will get ready and have his servants sit down so he can serve them." (Luke 12:35-37, CEV)
Believer, hold to the Promise of His return. There will come a moment when evil is defeated, suffering is ended; when the things we did not understand are made plain. A day of vindication of those who gave their lives and fortune for the cause of Christ will surely come. God promises us that. The great chapter of faith, Hebrews 11, begins with accounts of great triumphs and ends with these words about those who did not appear to live in victory. There we read that "Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us." (Hebrews 11:36-40, NLT) Their sacrifices await the Day of His Glorious Return when the jeers of the mockers will be silenced!
Believer, I hope that you are living in a way that would not need to change, in the least, regardless of the day of His appearing! Whether the trumpet announcing His return sounds today, in 2011, or in 3000 AD; may we be living faithfully, hopefully. Here is a word from the Word. Take it to heart today.
"Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion. "How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City." (Revelation 22:12-14, The Message)
_______________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment