It is High Time

I told myself the next blog wasn't going to be Wednesday's sermon, but alas God had other plans! Tonight's service hit that spot that screams "you have to share this!" So here I am.

Romans 13:11-14 and Matt 24:3-21

The part that really hit me was the beginning. The Greek used here gives urgency to what Paul is saying (wish I knew all this but I must give credit where credit is due..Kyle). Paul is talking about how now is the time to wake up to the time we are in and our personal state, spiritually apathetic. Here comes the hitting part....our salvation is nearer now than when we became believer, talking about the coming of Christ. **Clarification:  Even though Paul was talking about the coming of Christ 2,000 years ago and it still has not occurred that does not negate what it being said. We as humans have finite minds while God's in infinite...our "soon" is different that God's "soon". We can't put God on our level of thinking or anything else. **

Back to the coming of Christ. We referenced Matt 24:3-21. The disciples asked  what to look for when ?Jesus was coming back. For those who won't look in you Bibles or online here is the text in ESV:

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered them,"See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for thismust take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 Andalas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise andperform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 


 While reading this I was amazed at how absolutely close we are. I hear people all the time talking about it but  never really compared what was going on in our world now to scripture. "Wars and rumors of wars". How true is this? That's all there is going on in our nations. Country against country and even people against government. The list goes on. Verse 8 gets me...this is only the start. It will get worse before it gets better (coming of Christ of course). Gets me thinking, when will Christ come back? What if it is tomorrow?? What will Christ catch me doing or see me doing? Is this life that I am living really how I want Christ to catch me living face to face? (He already sees me anyway but because of my finite minds I sometimes neglect to care...bad I know but I've never claimed to be the #1 Christian).

So maybe now it is time for me to REALLY make some changes. How about you??

**Again, must give credit where credit is due...most of this came from Kyle Caudell***