Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Behold, He Comes

Rev.22:12 - And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev.22:20 - He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

How have these words become as a wind passing in days gone bye. No longer does the church even pretend that the Lord is coming, much less coming soon and quickly. This is no religious game, and this is not some fodder for prophetic badminton. Who cares if He comes pre-trib or mid-trib or post-trib - He is coming! Even those prophetic guesses have all but ceased except when the pastor feels obligated to deal with them pre-lunch on Sunday.
But sniff the air and see if there is even a hint of anxiousness or anticipation. There is more concern over a worthless election than there is over the prospect of the return of the Mighty Lion of Judah. How pathetic and self absorbed we are when we are busy about many things but exhibit no concern for that great and terrible day. Do you think it is Santa Claus that will descend upon this earth? The consuming fire is on His way and He brings with Him the cup of God’s wrath.
This candy cane Jesus that is presented among the churches is a lie. Yes He is a friend and a Savior, but He also has made clear that He will one day bring eternal justice to all humanity. But still we laugh and play as if it will never end. And not one politician who claims to believe in Jesus will even mention His returning because they give Him only lip service. The return of the Risen Christ in all His glory should concern us much more than what Iran or North Korea does. That is if we truly believe it with all our beings!
On that day nothing will matter to anyone. All the kingdoms of this world will be brought to nothing. All earthly kings will be nothing but naked sinners in the hands of an angry God. Is that too violent for your taste? Or perhaps you think my words are too theatrical and sensational. Well then perhaps false teachers like Joel Osteen would be more suitable for your spiritual palate, but in reality that is nothing more than a diabolic poison sent to damn men’s souls. You see, all the games are about to end.
The western church has been turned into an awful joke. Teaching and preaching and writing books and making Cds and interviews and church growth conferences and marriage seminars are all very active among the different churches. But they are dead and void and have not the Spirit. Where are the leather lung preachers of old who sounded the clarion call that Jesus is coming back and everyone needs to repent and believe?
The church has become an oligarchy, and like the Church at Corinth the people follow certain men. I am of Warren; I am of Osteen; I am of McArthur; I am of Bell; I am of Piper; I am of Driscoll; I am of Copeland; I am of whoever scratches my itching ears. But still we slumber, contented that Jesus is only really coming again in our theology. Surely He is not coming very soon, and definitely not today.
Matt.24:44 - Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
H
as there ever been a time when the church in general is less expectant of His return? The whole earth groans with sin, and the signs of His return gloe like neon, and still we slumber. It is time for us to take a spiritual inventory of the confession of our lips. Either we believe it or we do not. The gray area comes with a dangerous uncertainty. And this gray area is overpopulated with professing believers in the millions.
But the Spirit is dealing with many, many people. We have tasted of this world and we have found it does not satisfy. Nothing can fulfill our souls and nothing brings any authentic and life changing excitement. All is vanity and vexation of spirit. Almost everything is a waste of time. We are addicted to entertainment. But the Spirit is knocking on our heart’s door saying, ”Let Me in and we will fellowship”. And if we are honest, we are in desperate need of a mighty move of the Spirit in our own lives. We cannot wait for the church to lead. We cannot even wait for the elders and preachers to lead.
We must hear and follow the Spirit out of the wilderness and into the promise of the Spirit. He is coming, He is coming. No one knows the day or hour, but what does that matter? Is it not enough that He is at the doorstep? And one day you will give an account for the words you are reading in this insignificant little blog. Oh do not worry, I have much business to do with God. I am thirsty for more than what is being offered in this money changing expression of God’s church.
I despise my own flesh. And I simply exist in this present world, but in God’s unseen kingdom I desire to be used. There is nothing left. The only thing you will take to heaven are your children and any souls you might harvest. If you have unsaved or even wayward children you must pray as if the ship is sinking. This is an excellent opportunity to give yourself wholly to pray and fasting and allow the Spirit to reach into hearts and lives that are now closed to you. This is war in the Spirit!
Let this next week see you on your knees and with a passion for the things of God that seems fanatical to those who are bound to this present world. But what will people think? The more important question is what will God think. Stir up the gift of the Spirit. Click off the television for hours at a time and run to the prayer closet with brokenness and worship, and make your petitions known unto God.
Fanaticism does not apply to the coming of the Christ. There is no such thing as being overboard concerning eternity. And it is this very eternity that looms large upon the horizon of history as it comes to a frightful end. Those of us who know Him must step into the gap and intercede for those who stand in eternal peril. Oh please do not think I speak in hyperbole, or that my words are overly dramatic. In fact, no one can fully express the coming crisis that now envelopes the entire world. The things we have discussed in theology and doctrine and on prophetic time charts are about to become a reality beyond all that we can imagine.
Matt.24:45-51 - Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Let him who has an ear, let him hear…

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