Category: Christ Return

The Blessed Hope

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

Titus 2:13

Are you looking for that blessed hope? The second coming of our Lord? Are you ready for His return? This is the time for you to establish your heart. To settle yourself into the path God wants you to walk. Remember that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation [see 2nd Corinthians 5:18]. We are to be reconciled back to God and each other. The coming of the Lord draws near. Let us heed the warning and look towards the coming of the Lord with patience and with wisdom. The wisdom from above is pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, [see James 3:17]. Does your behavior project the image of Christ? This is the reason why we confess our faults to one another and pray for each other.

“Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door.”

James 5:9

The danger of being condemned by our own actions is a moral and ethical dilemma due to the consequences. We just do not think about the consequences from the decisions we make. One should decide if they are receiving the discipline or punishment from God. James was addressing those who believe in Christ and how Christians should behave and view themselves. James was rebuking the worldliness of the believers. Just read chapter four when James questions where wars and fighting’s among them come from. It is due to their own lusts, and they did not pray and ask God for what they needed. Friendship with the world is enmity with God [see James 4:4]. Christians are not to be false accusers but to exhort the love and peace of God through Jesus Christ. To live a holy and godly life before man looking towards Jesus as our example of suffering affliction and of patience. We must remember the patience of Job and read of the end result how the Lord was pitiful and had mercy towards Job and gave him a double portion back of what he had lost after he prayed for his friends.

We must continue to pray and ask the Lord for help and change our desires that we do not speak evil of another person. We do not know what tomorrow may bring. It is today that we should be concerned about. This moment in time we are living is precious in God’s eye. What we do today is important, and God will open doors in the opportunity to witness. Even seniors still have that opportunity to witness to others about Jesus. We each have a testimony of what God has done in our life. I remember Smith Wigglesworth stating that there is always preaching, preaching, preaching, and people get tired of it. We need to hear more testimonies from those whom God has blessed. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to move in the body of Christ then there will be the gifts of the Spirit flowing to meet the needs of everyone in the body of Christ. This includes reading of the word, testimony, prophesying, healing, singing, praying, and more. There should be no bitter envying and strife within our hearts. James states it is the tongue that defiles a man.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceeded blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

James 3:8-10

James is explicit about the tongue not being tamed and full of poison. I rarely heard this subject being preached, but we need to hear it. Many times, we put our own foot in our mouth and say things that offends or upsets another person. Sometimes we do this without even realizing what we have said. James also said that a person who judges is not a doer of the law but a judge. This is like the Pharisees who were experts in pointing out the law but not following the law itself. Our speech and actions are important to those around us. What we believe is what we speak. This is what is in our heart. Out of the heart comes the issues of life. Can you be assured within your own heart before God?

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”

1 John 3:20

God is greater than our own heart and knows all things. Do you have confidence toward God. John states that we can only have confidence in God if our own heart does not condemn us. We knew when this happens, and God knows. This is very important when we come to God and ask him for something. Our heart must be in the right place in order for him to hear us that we may receive from him our petitions. Each person is responsible for their own actions, and we need to humble ourselves in repentance. I love it when pastors allow time for prayers at the alter for repentance and healing. We need to purify our hearts before our Lord and have forgiveness for our sins. We must remember how God gave us His Son because of His Love for each one of us. There is no partiality with God. We desperately need His Love within our own heart. Do you know and believe that God is love? Those who live in love, dwell in God, [see 1 John 4:16].

Let us not be discontented against one another but let us have the love of God within our hearts. Let us have a sound speech before others. Let us deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, that we may live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, [see Titus 2:12]. It is through mercy of God that we were saved through Jesus Christ, and we should remember our past lives of serving lusts. We were brought out of those bondages that controlled us to the newness of life through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we now live in the Love of God and look forward to His coming. This is redemption from sin, evil, and all types of bondages. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,” [1 Corinthians 6:20]. We were bought through the blood of Jesus Christ. We have deliverance from the power of sin. We now look forward to His Coming and the Resurrection of the dead in Christ. This is the blessed hope we look for and pray that “this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory,” [1 Corinthians 15:54]. Our victory is through our Lord Jesus Christ, and He is our blessed hope.

The Son of Man Cometh

Therefore, be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Matthew 24:44

There is much speculation as to when Christ will return. I have heard some say 6 to 9 years. Does it really matter to pinpoint the exact time? I have read and seen prophecy that did not come to pass in regard to “Christ Return.” We must test all prophecies whether they are of God because many false prophets are in the world today, [ see 1 John 4:1]. There are those who are overzealous in claiming to be the first in making a prediction. This is a theatrical performance to gain recognition. The reality is that Jesus said to be ready, for in such an hour that you least expect it, He will come. Are we ready to meet with the Lord when he comes? We are so busy with the cares of everyday life that we forget that He told us to be ready. In fact, we should be ready every day, for we do not know when our own life will end. Even the apostle Paul stated that he was “betwixt two [between the two], having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you, [Philippians 1:23]. Each day is precious, for this is the day which the LORD hath made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. Let us rejoice and be glad. Now let us back up and look at verse 36 of Matthew chapter 24 as to when the Lord comes.

But of that day and hour knows no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Matthew 24:36

No one knows the day or the hour our Lord will come, not even the angels in heaven. Jesus is making a statement to not worry about the time, but to be ready. His coming will be like in the days of Noah when everyone went about their own business. Not even Noah knew when the flood would come as he continued to build the ark. Noah was busy doing what God called him to do. Why would Jesus even mention the days of Noah in verse 37 of Matthew chapter 24? What was God’s judgement at that time. God told Noah that the earth is filled with violence, [see Genesis 6:13]. God saw the wickedness of man and the imagination and thoughts of man in his heart to do to evil continually, [see Genesis 6:5]. Noah walked with God and He was remembered in Hebrews chapter 11, for his faith. One can only imagine the jeers and snobbery he received during the building of the ark. It was said that the Ark represented a type of Christ as a refuge from judgement. Is Christ our refuge? Yes, He is. The Father judges no man, He left it up to his Son, [see John 5:22]. I was astonished to read this in the scripture. God has provided the way through Christ our Lord. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit leads humanity to the way of repentance, righteousness and judgment.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

John 16:7-8

The Holy Spirit will bring conviction into our heart according to the Holy Scriptures to show us where our heart is regarding sin. If you have any doubt in your mind, ask for the Spirit to reveal your heart and to create in you a clean heart. The apostle Paul stated to the Corinthians in chapter 11, verse 31, “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Judge yourself to see if you are in the faith of Christ Jesus. As a Christian we should be doing this every day as Christ gave instruction about prayer in Luke chapter eleven. The key to prayer is that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven, having the daily bread, forgiveness, and being delivered from the evil one. The whole point is to be reconciled to God. We walk by faith and not sight. We walk with a clear conscience in readiness for the Lord’s return. A Christian will do the work of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

2 Corinthians 5:10

The life of a Christian is to be a good steward. These are the servants who are blessed and found watching. Watching is to keep and preserve oneself in the Lord. These are the wise servants who are faithful. Who are secured in their position and calling, wherein He has called them. They are working in the season where the Lord provides for their provisions. They are those who do not strike their brother or sister in the Lord. They do not walk away from the Lord but stay the course of where God has placed them. The Lord confirms their faithfulness over ability knowing that God will perform on their behalf. What was impossible for them God made it possible and this is faith that we read about in Hebrews chapter 11.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father, who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

As we come upon the Passover, let us remember how we were all delivered from the state of despair and sin. Christ death and resurrection from death gave us victory over sin. This is reconciliation to God. This is the Lord God’s provision for our souls. Let us repent from our sins and live in the light of the Lord before men having a sure foundation in Christ. The return of Christ will come when we see the beginning of the birth pains, or the beginning of sorrows as stated in Matthew chapter 24 and of Daniel’s 70th week. It does not matter where you stand in your belief as to the time of the rapture. What matters is your faithfulness. Before we are translated, the preaching of the Gospel will have gone out around the world. The scripture states that “we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so, shall we ever be with the Lord,” [see 1 Thessalonians 4;17]. We should comfort one another with these words. I would encourage you to read 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and 5. Let us watch and be sober minded putting on the breastplate of faith and love and a helmet for the hope of our salvation. Do not get carried away by those who would influence you to their way of thinking. Be “free from intoxicating influences in the name of Jesus.” Prove all things and hold onto the truth of the Gospel of Christ. May your spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.