“Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20-21 NKJV
Although this passage was written for the nation of Israel concerning the coming tribulation period, it would certainly feel as if it was written to the Church considering the events we see happening now as the world appears to be on the doorstep of the end of this age.. I for one, though, believe what is happening now has had a profound effect on many in the body of Christ. I say that because, from what I hear and read, many have begun to contemplate that the rapture might just indeed be closer than they have thought. As a watcher, I have long despaired that so many are so consumed with what this life has to offer that they gave little or no thought to the fact that the rapture could occur at any time. That mindset now appears to be changing.
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV
Of all the sermons and teaching you may have heard up until now, I would expect that while the subject of many was love, it would be a safe bet that few if any revolved around the love of Jesus’ return for His Church in the rapture. Yet this passage makes it clear that “the crown of righteousness” awaits those who have looked forward to the expectation of “His appearing”. That being the case, is it any surprise that one of Satan’s goals is to try to get us to change what we love with the temptation of all this world has to offer us? I think it’s fair to say that the priorities of many have made a drastic change in the past couple of years.
“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20 NKJV
Something we hear quite often now as we approach the upcoming election in this country is the need to return to what used to be, especially as it relates to the economy. It should come as no surprise that the majority of the world is concerned with things somehow returning to normal, and the focus of many is just how to accomplish that. Although many are skeptical of that actually happening, many believe that the possibility of an eventual return to some semblance of normal is prophesied in scripture. Consider what this passage, that may of you are familiar with, actually says.
“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39 NKJV
Now some might disagree with me, but it certainly appears to me that this verse suggests that at some point in the future, the world and those who inhabit it, will be trying to live as "normal" of a life as is possible in spite of what is occurring around the world and in this country today. Many commentators have described this passage using the phrase “business as usual”. Although the situation we face as a nation right now could easily be described as “dire”, everybody is still “getting on with their lives” as best they can, My thought is that what this passage actually tells us is in the time just before the rapture people are more concerned with maintaining a sense of normalcy in their lives rather than focusing on Jesus’ imminent return.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1-4 NKJV
You might well ask, how do we not be troubled in times like these? I believe the Word of God reveals the answer to that question. First we need to prepare ourselves for His appearing by growing stronger in our faith through study of His Word. Lately I can’t help but remember a song I learned in Sunday School as a child called “Standing on the Promises of God”. Studying the Bible, and all of the promises He has made to us, reminds us of who is really in charge and the fact that He will do exactly as He has promised. The more of His promises we are aware of, the more we will long for His appearing.
Secondly, we should work to simplify our lives by divesting ourselves from the things of this world which serve only to take our focus away from the next life. We would do well to be reminded that this world is but temporary and it is the next life, which lasts for eternity, which should be the focus of our efforts. Making the commitment to serve Him while on this earth is how we lay up treasures in Heaven which we will enjoy for eternity. As one pastor put it, money invested here will pass away but treasure invested in Heaven will last forever. May our focus be on the next life, and not the present one.
If you have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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