When is the last time you heard a sermon in your church describing the nearness of our Lord’s return and how you should be preparing? Did it include a summary of the signs already fulfilled that indicate His 2nd advent is near? Did it include a discussion of the signs yet to be fulfilled that Jesus commanded us to watch for so that we are ready? Most likely, if you’re an average Christian the answer to these questions is no or, perhaps, even never. The vast majority of Christian pastors will pay lip service to the fact that Jesus is coming back someday but usually quote out of context a verse that says, “no one knows the day or hour”. Based on this they ignore eschatological scripture or teaching about yet to be filled prophecy labeling it as too controversial. What this leads to is a church that is asleep and largely ignorant of biblical prophecy. Needless to say, this is sad and unfortunate as many Christians will be easily deceived when confronted with the coming “great tribulation.”
The apostle Paul gave some good instruction in his letter to the Romans almost two thousand years ago. How much more appropriate are his words in our day. “And do this; knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” (Romans 13:11-12). Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping.“ (Mark 13:35-36). Paul stated emphatically to the Thessalonians, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)
As I’ve stated before in previous posts, watching for the signs Jesus gave us is not an option for Christians, but a command. Regardless of the teaching or lack of teaching you are sitting under, it behooves you individually to carefully study all the prophetic passages in both Old and New Testaments so that you are adequately prepared for these last days. God is busy shaping events in order to fulfill His Word. And they’re happening quickly. Every prophecy will come to pass. You can count on it. Of course, you’ll miss most of it if you’re sleeping!
Maranatha, Jim