Evaluation
II: When the Call Comes
Luke
21:28 And when these things begin to
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.
This message continues to remind that when we
pause to check how well we are doing in our lives and plan lets do so with
eternity in mind. When Christ comes back
and the call for you is made will you be ready (Mathew 25). Christ’s return is
a major theme in the Bible and yet we ignore it sometimes because of
controversies among theologians about the interpretation of scripture about its
nature and timing. Admittedly, believers
take varied positions regarding this prophetic event but there are issues about
the event that are largely undisputed. This message looks at those issues and
their implications on the life of believers.
1) He is
coming again. Jesus promised so (John 14:3; Luke 21:27, 28: Revelation 22:12).
Jesus will certainly come, if not for the Church at the end of the age he will
sooner or later or come for you when you die.
The early Church believers, at a
time when they were faced with much persecution, comforted themselves with the
Aramaic word ‘Maranatha’, which means “the Lord is coming”, “Our Lord comes” or
“come, O Lord.” The second coming is the
enduring hope of the church (Revelation 22:12).
2) He is coming personally and visible. It is
the same Jesus who came first time and ascended to heaven who will come again,
not another Jesus (Acts 1:11, 2 Cor. 11:4).
3) He will return at the Father’s appointed
time. No one knows the exact day or hour. Believers can however know the times
and seasons (Matthew 24:3 6; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter
3:10, Acts 3:19-21). He can come at any
time.
4) He will return unexpectedly, like a thief in
the night, especially to those who are not watching for His coming (Matthew
24:36-51; 25:1-3; Mark 13:32-37; Revelation 3:3; 16:15; 2 Peter 3:10; 1 Thessalonians
5:1-11). He can come at any time suddenly (Mark 13:36; Revelation 22:7, 12,
20).
5) He will return in great glory and set up his
Kingdom (Matthew 16:27; 19:28; 25:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Jesus warned
that they say, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Do not go away, nor follow them,
for as the lightning, when it flashes … so will the Son of Man be in his day
(Luke 17:23-30). He will return with the angelic hosts accompanying Him
(Matthew 16:27; 25:31). He will return for and with His saints and the saints
will be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; John
14:3; Zechariah 14:4-5; Revelation 1:7; Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11-16).
6) He will return to judge nations and
individuals according to their obedience to His gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10;
2:3-12).
7) He will return after some negative and
positive signs. Most of the signs are already evident in our world today.
(a) Intense persecution and tribulation
culminating into a ‘great tribulation’ (Matthew 24:9-10, 21; 2 Timothy 3:1-7;
Revelation 6-16). The tribulation includes famines, diseases and earthquakes
which have increased (Matthew 24:6-7; Revelation. 6:1-17).
(b) Great
deception and false prophets will increase culminating in a one world false
religious movement that will be part of an Antichrist system. (Matthew 24:4, 5,
11, 24; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 13, 17).
(c) Conflicts
and wars between nations will remain and culminate in the rise of a star peace
agent who will become a one-world dictator. He will head an Antichrist universal kingdom (Daniel 2; Daniel 7;
Daniel 18; Daniel 11; Revelation 13; Revelation 19:11-21). Israel and the Middle East
have a special place in international relations because the Bible has made
predictions about events in the region, which make a prophetic clock in
understanding last day events. In the end, Christ will set up a kingdom for a
thousand years and eventually an eternal kingdom centered in Jerusalem
d)
As a positive sign, the last days are characterized by an unprecedented
outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh that will take place before Christ’s
coming (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17; Matthew 24:14; Acts 3:19-21; Ephesians
5:23-32). The Lord is going to present to Himself a victorious Church without
spot or blemish.
Implications
a) Do not be afraid. Be awake and ready (Mark
13:32-37; Romans 13:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10). While contextually things
will become worse before becoming better internally, believers have great hope
and will become stronger and stronger if they look to God (Luke 21:28). But the
day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; … Seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness, (2 Peter 3:10, 11). Let us watch and wait. Let us
be hot in faith and not cool. Lets be alert to the various deceptions that are
rising up (2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9; Matthew 24:11)
b) Be occupied. ‘Occupy until I come’ (Luke
19:13). Go about your normal work with excellence and diligence. Be productive
and busy for the Lord. Be faithful and use the talents God gave you (Matthew
25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:1-15). The wilderness
will rejoice greatly. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in
the desert (Isaiah 35:1-10).
Message
by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith
Ministries – Johannesburg
Faith Life
Center
Ground
and First Floors Sunset
Bay Building
204B
Bram Fischer drive,
Randburg,
Johannesburg , South Africa
