Do you really believe Jesus is coming?

sermonindex Dec 1, 2015

Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

The children of Israel had been given certain promises by God. Of course they were promised the land, the promised land. Yet because of unbelief and disobedience they were forced to wander and die in the wilderness for forty years. So here we have a vivid connection between disbelief and disobedience and the displeasure of God. That particular generation, all who were over 20 years of age, would not enter into that place promised by God. Now God took care of their basic needs, but they would not pass over into the promises nor would they take possession of all that God had for them.

Can I suggest that we are living in such a generation? The signs of the times are all around us. We know that Jesus told us that He would come back for His own. We know that there is a second coming and that Jesus told us about these things in Matt 24 and the parable of the foolish virgins and so on. We are given pointers from Scripture and of course we have the Holy Spirit to lead and to guide us and to show us the times in which we live. Many will casually say that the end is near, that the world is in chaos and without direction and that Jesus must be coming back soon. Yet my question is, does Christendom really believe that?

I have two scenarios for you to consider. The first scenario is that you go to the doctors tomorrow, he has recently ran a series of tests and he asks you to please sit down in a slightly strange tone of voice. He tells you that you have terminal cancer, it is beyond treatment. At best, you have two months left to live. Now here is what I want you to consider. Would you live your last two months on this earth the same way that you had just lived your previous two months? Can I suggest that you would not? The unimportant things of life would simply vanish would they not? The things that had previously caused you anxiety and stress would disappear as the reality of your impending departure brings into sharp focus what is truly important in this life and by the same token what is not.

Scenario number two. For whatever reason, it has been announced to you that the President of the United States is coming to visit you in two months time. He will visit for a couple of hours and eat dinner with you and your family at your house. Now what will the next two months look like? Will they be ordinary months? Will it be business as usual? Or, will you go to extraordinary lengths to make sure your house is in the best shape it can be? Maybe you need new carpet, you had not really thought about it much before but now it is a pressing issue. Maybe the walls need to be painted. They were not that bad before but now that the President is coming, well, not that bad is just not good enough. What about the landscaping outside your house, first impressions and all that? Then there is what you will feed your guest and so on. I would imagine that most people would be consumed with the visit for the better part of the two months until he comes.

Now, do you really believe that Jesus is coming back soon? Really? Does any of your actions and thoughts compare to the scenarios above? If not, why not? Is it possible you may have to re-think what you give lip service to? Where is the passion? What about the urgency? Are you caught up in the things of the world? How could that be if you truly believe that the Bride-groom is at the door and He is coming for His Bride? Now I agree that we should all be living for Christ every day of our lives. Yet can I suggest to you that human nature being what it is, tends to take the path of least resistance. We all need jolted into action at various times in our lives. The very real possibility of Jesus returning soon should be enough to wake up a sleeping church, a lethargic Christendom. But, and here is the key, you must believe that.

The Israelites had seen many miracles in their lives and had indeed seen all the plagues that had befallen Egypt. Can I suggest that our world today is riddled with plagues. Does it make you sit up and take notice? The Israelites had been delivered from the Egyptians by way of a mighty miracle. Have you not been delivered from the world by something more miraculous than the parting of the sea? Salvation by God Himself delivered you personally. Yet even after the sea was parted the Israelites still did not believe the promises of God. And before you are to hard on them, you who have been delivered, do you believe the word and the promises of God? The Israelites saw many miracles after they came through the red sea. Have you not seen miracles in your life? They still wandered aimlessly in dis-belief, how about you?

Brothers and sisters the time is short. Is serving Him your passion? Do you truly have an expectancy that the Lord is at the door? If so, does your life reflect such an urgency, such a fire and a passion? Our lives and the way we live them represents whether the Word in us is alive and full of light. Has disobedience and unbelief caused you to wander in a dry and dusty land where there is no water? There has to be living waters flowing through us. We need light for the darkness, we need waters for the drought, we need food for the famine and last and most importantly we need oil for our vessels and we need it now. Can I tell you that oil for your vessels comes from expectancy, comes from hope, comes from actually believing that the Lord is at the door. When we believe, when we obey, when we trust in Him because there is no other way, then we draw close to Jesus.

Jesus tells us that at the midnight hour that the cry went out that behold the Bridegroom comes, go out and meet Him. Go out and meet Him! In the parable of the foolish virgins, the wise virgins light up the way with their lamps in the midnight hour to lead the Bridegroom to the Bride. The world is facing the midnight hour. The Bridegroom comes. The cry is going out to awaken the church for His return is imminent. Will you light up the world in the midnight hour or will you be swallowed up in darkness? .......bro Frank

T

TMK Dec 1, 2015

Great post.

It got me to thinking about the tortoise and the hare. There are times in our walk when we are more on fire (like the hare) and other times we are plodding along (like the tortoise). The important thing is to be always moving forward, not backward.

It also got me to thinking about the stages of being in love- the early stage of intense excitement, inability to think clearly, all the rush of falling in love. Then it levels out over time and settles into a deeper love with occasional bursts of passion. To be honest I am not sure we could survive years and years of the intense passion of falling in love.

It is easy to fall into a sort of lethargy because we are not certain when Jesus is coming. They felt it was soon 2000 years ago and the one thing we know for certain is that it is closer now than it was then.

I agree our passions need to be ignited, or reignited. I have been praying along these lines and while I have glimpses and short seasons I am still not where I need to be.

Frank- do you have any practical advice for catching on fire or for stoking smoldering embers?

S

savannah Dec 1, 2015

Most who believe in God do not believe God!

There are many practical atheists in the camp of the saints.

See "Practical Atheism" by Stephen Charnock in his book "The Existence and Attributes of God."

T

TMK Dec 1, 2015

We are all practical atheists when it comes to certain doctrines.

Take hell for instance.

If we believe hell is real why do we not spend every waking hour and using all of our resources and every ounce of energy to make sure our friends and family do not go there? It's a sort of cognitive dissonance.

sermonindex Dec 1, 2015

Hi Todd, great points to which I agree. A couple of things I would share from my own life and I have certainly been through the seasons that you spoke of, but I think the most important practical thing that we can all do is to simply take God at His Word.

An example for me would be John 17. The Lord said that He came so that we would be one, even as He and His Father are one so that the world would know, so that it would be a witness to a dying world that God sent Him and that God loves that dying world. When I decided to simply believe what Jesus said would come to pass because He said it, it revolutionized my thinking and my passions. Men's opinion lost its hold on me, and it had been a stranglehold for years.

Another practical matter is taking the Lord at His word when He says " Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." This, like all of the commands of Jesus, is not a one time thing but a continuous action. Practically I decided to get up and walk every morning seeking the Lord and dedicating the day unto Him, whether rain or snow or 100 degrees. It revolutionized my walk with Jesus.

I think the most practical advice though, for such a time as ours, and not how some saint walked 50 years ago or 1000 years ago or 1500 years ago is knowing that the Lord's return is near. I am not naming days or even years when He is coming back, but just knowing that it is soon. I actually believe that with all of my heart that the Lord will probably come back in our lifetime. If not ours, certainly our children or grandchildren's. Obviously we could talk about prophecy and so on but that would I think miss the point of the post. This is about simply " knowing," in your spirit and yielding to that knowing. Once we know and believe then our passions are aroused in every area of our lives. Knowing He is coming soon you will want to press in closer to Him. Knowing He is coming soon your ambitions in life will be to please Him, not to get that next big promotion, so therefore it would engender contentment. Knowing He is coming soon would mean sharing the Gospel more and with more passion. Knowing He is coming soon and just how dark it will be prior to His coming means that we would desire to be endued with power from on high so that we could endure and overcome. Knowing that He is coming soon would increase in us a desire for boldness in a rapidly hostile world we find ourselves in. I could go on for another 10,000 words which would begin with " Knowing He is coming soon."

Lastly, I believe that it is a very practical matter to prepare for things that we know are to come. It is prudent in all aspects of life including the life of the Spirit. Jesus prepared Himself for Calvary, the culmination of that being Gethsemane. We should do likewise for the strength to drink fully from the cup to come and for the strength to be able to declare " not my will but thine be done," oh Lord............bro Frank

T

TMK Dec 1, 2015

Frank wrote: "yielding to that knowing."

Those are four very deep words that require much stewing and ruminating.

sermonindex Dec 1, 2015

The Coming of Christ will not be silent, secret or invisible, but rather will be announced with a loud trump.

Luk 21:26 MEN'S HEARTS FAILING THEM FOR FEAR, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 AND THEN SHALL THEY SEE the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall DESCEND from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Everyone will see Him:
Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come ON ALL THEM that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Also called the "Day of God". (See 2 Pet 3:10 for context)
2Pet 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the DAY OF GOD, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

2Pet 3:10 But the DAY OF THE LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

He will appear:
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and THE GLORIOUS APPEARING appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

S

savannah Dec 1, 2015

Matthew Henry on Luke 21

Having given an idea of the times for about thirty-eight years next to come, Christ shows what all those things would end in, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter dispersion of the Jewish nation; which would be a type and figure of Christ's second coming.

This was fulfilled even as Christ prophesied. The context couldn't be clearer.

S

savannah Dec 1, 2015

"On this foundation I affirm that the heavens and earth here intended in this prophecy of Peter, the coming of the Lord, the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men, mentioned in the destruction of that heaven and earth, do all of them relate, not to the last and final judgment of the world, but to that utter desolation and destruction that was to be made of the Judaical church and state; for which I shall offer these two reasons, of many that might be insisted on from the text:-

'(1.) Because whatever is here mentioned was to have its peculiar influence on the men of that generation. He speaks of that wherein both the profane scoffers and those scoffed at were concerned, and that as Jews, some of them believing, others opposing, the faith. Now there was no particular concernment of that generation, nor in that sin, nor in that scoffing, as to the day of judgment in general ; but there was a peculiar relief for the one and a peculiar dread for the other at hand, in the destruction of the Jewish nation ; and, besides, an ample testimony both to the one and the other of the power and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was the thing in question between them.

'(2.) Peter tells them, that after the destruction and judgment that he speaks of (vers. 7-13), " We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,' etc. They had this expectation. But what is that promise? Where may we find it? Why, we have it in the very words and letter, Isa. lxv. 17. Now, when shall this be that God shall create these new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness? Saith Peter, " It shall be after the coming of the Lord, after that judgment and destruction of ungodly men, who obey not the gospel, that I foretell." But now it is evident from this place of Isaiah, with chap. lxvi. 21, 22, that this is a prophecy of Gospel times only; and that the planting of these new heavens is nothing but the creation of Gospel ordinances to endure for ever. The same thing is so expressed Heb. xii. 26-28.

First, There is the foundation of the apostle's inference and exhortation, seeing that all these things, however precious they seem, or what value soever any put upon them, shall be dissolved, that is, destroyed; and that in that dreadful and fearful manner before mentioned, in a day of judgment, wrath, and vengeance, by fire and sword; let others mock at the threats of Christ's coming: He will come- He will not tarry; and then the heavens and earth that God Himself planted, -the sun, moon, and stars of the Judaical polity and church, -the whole old world of worship and worshippers, that stand out in their obstinancy against the Lord Christ, shall be sensibly dissolved and destroyed: this we know shall be the end of these things, and that shortly." John Owen

S

savannah Dec 1, 2015

"The destruction of Jerusalem is phrased in Scripture as the destruction of the whole world; and Christ's coming to her in judgment, as his coming to the last judgment. Therefore, those dreadful things, spoken of in Matt. 24:29,30 and 31, are but borrowed expressions, to set forth the terms of that judgment the more.. v.30 - "then shall they see" - not any visible appearance of Christ, or of the cross, in the clouds (as some have imagined); but, whereas Jews would not own Christ before for the Son of Man, or for the Messias, then by the vengeance that he should execute upon them, they and all the world should see an evident sign, and it was so. This, therefore, is called "his coming," and his coming in his kingdom." [A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, ed. Rev. John Rogers Pitman (London: J.F. Dove, 1825), p.141]

"That the destruction of Jerusalem and the whole Jewish state is described as if the whole frame of the world were to be dissolved. Nor is it strange, when God destroyed his habitation and city, places once so dear to him, with so direful and sad an overthrow; his own people, whom he accounted of as much or more than the whole world beside, by so dreadful and amazing plagues. Matt. 24:29,30, 'The sun shall be darkened &c. Then shall appear the 'sign of the Son of man,' &c; which yet are said to fall out within that generation, ver. 34. 2 Pet. 3:10, 'The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,' &c. Compare with this Deut. 32:22, Heb. 12:26: and observe that by elements are understood the Mosaic elements, Gal 4:9, Coloss. 2:20: and you will not doubt that St. Peter speaks only of the conflagration of Jerusalem, the destruction of the nation, and the abolishing the dispensation of Moses" (vol. 3, p. 452).

"(Peter, in the second epistle,) sets forth the destruction of that cursed Nation and their City in those terms that Christ had done, Matt. 24. and that the Scripture doth elsewhere, Deut. 32.22,23.24. Jer. 4.23. namely as the destruction of the whole world, The heavens passing away, the elements melting, and the earth burnt up, &c. And accordingly speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, from Isa. 65.17. a new state of the Church under the Gospel among the Gentiles, when this old world of the Jews state should be dissolved." John Lightfoot

sermonindex Dec 1, 2015

edited

Savannah and Julias, my thoughts were designed to encourage and challenge the saints. I wonder if we could skip the theological debate? Thanks guys. Jesus did not come back in 70ad and He is coming back, now the questions raised in the OP is how we handle and react to the reality of His soon coming.........bro Frank

sermonindex Dec 1, 2015

Frank,

Whose debating? I posted my beliefs based on scripture. Then, Savannah made his posts. I did not reply to him or have any intention of replying. You asked a question, I responded, and really don't have anything else to say.

I only posted once.

sermonindex Dec 2, 2015

2 Peter 3:11-12

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people are you to be in holy conduct and godliness looking for and hasting the coming of the day of God,

If we truly believed in the soon coming of Jesus Christ. I think there would be more of a desire for holiness as unto Christ. Our passion for a christ-centered righteousness would increase with a ferver to see His soon glorious appearing.

Peter goes on to say that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. A new kingdom if you will in which righteousness dwells. For if we truly believe He is soon to return. Our dezire for righteousness. Our desire for a practical Christ centered righteousness would be greater.

My thoughts.

sermonindex Dec 2, 2015

Julius, you missed the point of the OP and it was probably because it could be written much better. I was not asking for differing opinions about whether He is coming back or not. That is a given. My question was do we really believe that, really believe that. Catch my drift :) ? Its hard on a forum because a forum is two dimensional. Dont be offended, it was a friendly request not to let the posts be a prelude to a theological debate where everyone cuts and paste their favorite dead guys:)...........bro Frank

sermonindex Dec 2, 2015

Blaine writes.......

"If we truly believed in the soon coming of Jesus Christ. I think there would be more of a desire for holiness as unto Christ. Our passion for a christ-centered righteousness would increase with a ferver to see His soon glorious appearing."

Yes indeed brother, that was the essence of my post..................bro Frank

I

InTheLight Dec 2, 2015

I was just reading the Luke 21 today where Jesus told the parable of the fig tree which points to His second coming. He knew there would be scoffers so He finished that parable with these words, "heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away."

He has said it and He will do it. Can there be any doubt of His coming? Can we see the signs in the events of our world? Let's not be caught unaware.

In Christ,

sermonindex Dec 2, 2015

by appolus on 2015/12/1 19:06:49
Julius, you missed the point of the OP and it was probably because it could be written much better. I was not asking for differing opinions about whether He is coming back or not. That is a given. My question was do we really believe that, really believe that. Catch my drift :) ? Its hard on a forum because a forum is two dimensional. Don't be offended, it was a friendly request not to let the posts be a prelude to a theological debate where everyone cuts and paste their favorite dead guys:)...........bro Frank

Sure, no problem Frank. Not offended.

I wonder why Christians don't live with an urgency, NOW! Christ has come to them, lives inside them and joined them to Him. They are now living in the Kingdom of God and rule and reign with Christ over their enemies (powers of darkness), seated in heavenly places with Christ.

When Jesus Christ comes again, it will be the 3rd coming, to me, since His first coming was to die and His 2nd coming was when I was born-again. When He comes again, it's all over.

Israel in the OT was unfaithful and disobedient knowing that a Messiah was coming. Seems that believing Jesus Christ is coming again, with the multitude of futurist books written has done nothing to spur the Church into living holy and righteous lives. So many are asleep, resting in false security, living like they were never joined to the Lord and He never came and took up residence in them. The apostle John spoke more of coming persecution than the coming of Christ. The early church lived the way they did and every great man through the ages lived the way they did because of a very present reality in them of the living Christ having come to them and living in them. This is why you live holy and righteous, because you are joined to the Lord!

We have received the Kingdom, now!!!
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

But, this is not on topic so I will create a new thread for this subject.

D

dfella Dec 2, 2015

Brother Frank,

Thanks for posting this. Yes I also believe Jesus is coming back soon, and should the Lord allow me to tarry, I strongly believe it will be in my lifetime.

Being ready is an utmost priority. While I know that the scriptures speak of those whom the day of the Lord will overtake them as a thief and men's hearts failing them for fear.

This is absolutely not true for the believer who is prayerfully watching and sober minded that that day should overtake us unaware or by surprise. I believe this is an absolute promise of God.

Based on some of the recent thread topics and your latest statement as to why you posted this topic I was reminded of this portion of scripture by our dear brother Paul.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (1 Thessalonians 5:1) I believe he said this because his audience was filled with the Holy Spirit.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) He is speaking of those whom are not preparing their lamps and making sure they are filled with oil. They are those who live carelessly and foolishly.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) He is speaking of people (tares) within the church, they are merely professors and not confessors. They profess to know Him but by their deeds and lack thereof they DENY Him. They trust not in the Lord but the conditions that surround them.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4) This is the promise for those who are making themselves ready.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
(1 Thessalonians 5:5) He continues his thought that if we are children of the day we will not be overtaken.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6) Does the Lord wake you in the middle of the night? He awakens me many times in the middle of the night and I have learned to know and realize that no matter how tired I might be, He is waking me for a reason and that is to pray, supplicate, and intercede. Much of this time is spent praying in the Spirit mixed with prayer in the understanding as the Holy Spirit leads. Many times it is not accompanied by a heaviness but to simply offer thanksgiving, praise, and worship.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.(1 Thessalonians 5:7)And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

BUT let us, who are of the DAY, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) 4 Condition that must be met in order to receive the promises in these verses.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,(1 Thessalonians 5:9)God is not going to forsake His elect, if we meet the conditions in His word, it is impossible for us to fail.

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.(1 Thessalonians 5:10) I believe He is speaking of those who have already died (sleep) in Christ and will be in the first resurrection as well as those who remain (are alive and awake at His return), that we belong to Him forever.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.(1 Thessalonians 5:11) Rather than debating, arguing, and causing strife and division, this is what we rather should be doing. I am very dogmatic on numerous subjects concerning the Lord, however, I know it to be an uphill battle in trying to convince men against their own will. I would rather keep the unity of the Spirit and pray for both sides because if I am wrong I fully trust the Lord to set me and others straight. I do not care about being right, I only care about the truth. I have a deep longing to be a comfort, and to edify and encourage the brethren. When this is not possible, that is when I get those wake up calls in the middle of the night.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(1 Thessalonians 5:12) I am truly thankful for those whom the Lord gifts, enables, and calls into the ministry. I have learned to be careful in whom the Lord has appointed to carry out such callings and to not cast stones and be critical of how they might carry out their ministry. For it is God who has set the five fold ministry within the church. When we are critical of those whom God has anointed we are being critical of God.

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.(1 Thessalonians 5:13)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) When I said earlier that I strive for unity amongst the brethren, it does not mean I am looking to be a mere peacekeeper. A peacekeeper is unwilling to stand for truth and rebuke and admonish those who are in error. They are unwilling to rock the boat. A peacemaker on the other hand will speak the truth in love so that those who are in error will be made right with God and sometimes the truth will hurt.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.(1 Thessalonians 5:15) We are to do good to all men, even those who persecute, and despitefully use us, but especially those who are of the household of faith.

Rejoice evermore.(1 Thessalonians 5:16) In everything give thanks. Every day is a gift. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Pray without ceasing.(1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray with the understanding, pray with the Spirit, not only making your requests known unto God but offer up thanksgiving, supplicate, pray, and intercede for others.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.(1 Thessalonians 5:18) Knowing that All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His WILL and PURPOSES.

Quench not the Spirit.(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Don't let your flesh, pride, and intellect get in the way for the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God and neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. If you are not filled wit the Holy Spirit, your flesh and pride will get in the way every time. This is an absolute fact because I am guilty of it. I was saved for 9 years before I received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I know how things were before as well as after. I am very grateful for the latter.

Despise not prophesyings.(1 Thessalonians 5:20) When we come together at church I come expecting the Holy Spirit to move amongst the body of believers as He does it so wonderfully. It is through the gifts of the Spirit that God puts His fingerprints all over the scene. Do not scoff at the gifts.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(1 Thessalonians 5:21) We have two great tests to prove between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Gods word and the Holy Spirit. They will always agree.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.(1 Thessalonians 5:22)The most important thing about this admonishin is to not bring a reproach against the name of the Lord. When we do not love one another we bring a reproach against the Lord for it is written that the world will know us by our love for one another.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23)What a wonderful prayer and promise!

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:24) A promise that cannot fail, if we are willing to meet the conditions.

Brethren, pray for us.(1 Thessalonians 5:25)Let us pray for one another and esteem others better than ourselves.

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.(1 Thessalonians 5:26)Even though I come from an Italian family and it is common for men to kiss one another on the cheek, I know of Mennonite groups who actually kiss one another on the lips. Not there yet and probably won't be, BUT I love to hug the brethren. I am talking real manly hugs, not those wet noodle hand shake kind.

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.(1 Thessalonians 5:27)Holy brethren, children of the day, and those who confess Him in both word and deed.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
(1 Thessalonians 5:28)My very thoughts toward each and every one of you as written to the brethren at Sermon Index.

M

MaryJane Dec 2, 2015

Greetings Frank

Thank you for posting this and sharing with us as FATHER has given you leading. Not so long ago I was spending time in prayer and FATHER quickened to my heart "How would you spend the next twenty four hours if you knew with out a doubt Jesus is coming tomorrow." As I contemplated this I came to realize that I shouldn't have to think about it at all, my life should already be reflecting it every moment of every day. I pray and ask FATHER daily to help me remain ready, to never grow weary and to live as if each moment HE is about to return. To be found ready. Of course as the days pass I find each morning a new and stronger desire in my heart to pray and be about HIS KINGDOM. Its funny things that I once thought so very important do not seem so now. As I have shared before with you, I feel the same urgency that you have spoken about. The things of this world are passing away, the time grows near and we need to be found ready in HIM!

God bless
maryjane

sermonindex Dec 2, 2015

I think the reason people don't live with urgency that He is coming is that they really don't believe He is here now, living in them (unbelief,sin,false conversion). And He is probably not. Their faith has become cold and dead and they are only going through the motions of learned outward behavior needed when they are around church people.

The Holy Spirit and genuine conversions are missing today and many possessing a form of godliness are lost. Those who are abiding in Christ daily are uncomfortable in this world but very comfortable in the kingdom of God which has come to them. They see things that are not readily seen with the physical eyes and that is why they have an urgency in their lives.