“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2Corinthians 4:18 KJV). Preach the Gospel, baptize disciples, build God’s kingdom, replicate. Our highest privilege is communing with Him who is invisible. Notwithstanding the incomparable gift of Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins, God’s greatest gift is His Spirit (Luke 11:13), which causes — without forcing — an obedient walk (Ezekiel 36:27). This appropriately reflects our unseen relationship with the Father. Replicating on earth the unseen struggle taking place in the heavenlies with the minions of the adversary, disciples recognize our true “citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). Yahweh’s friends are our friends. His enemies are our enemies. Transforming into Christ’s likeness will be our unending pleasure now and throughout eternity. Prophecies yet to be fulfilled indicate tactical signposts and progress in our struggle with the enemy, but returning and continuing in our Edenic abiding with Christ is the unspeakable joy of our existence. LORD, we’ve pledged our undying loyalty to You, but we crave a greater understanding and appreciation of who You are. Magnify Your name. Show us Your glory. And, return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
Imminency of the Second Coming
Why the Christian Worldview Isn’t Working
Church membership is quite noticeably declining because the Christian worldview isn’t working. The faith of the Scriptures doesn’t seem to explain what’s going on in the lives of church members to make the weekly pilgrimage to church worth it. Not enough Christian service? Too little outreach? Some churches preach and teach Bible prophecy, while others simply acknowledge the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with allusions to the New Heavens and New Earth. For instance, Hebrews 10:25 is often quoted as why disciples should assemble as a church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV). Notice the compelling nature of church attendance was “as ye see the day approaching” (10:25). What day? The soon or imminent return of the One who said, “I come quickly” (Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20 KJV). Who has a good explanation for why Jesus hasn’t yet returned? This is only one example of a Christian worldview that doesn’t seem to be working. And, I do not think this was simply anticipating the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple worship in 70 AD by the Romans. If we were to introduce the concept of delay in spiritual warfare, as seen in the Book of Daniel (10:13), we could see how Christ’s Return would be just as imminent today, at any moment, as for the original recipients of the Book of Hebrews. But, we would have to reorganize our worldview. A little drastic change, now and then, is a healthy thing, don’t you think?
All Prophecy Has Already Been Fulfilled?
If I said, ‘All prophecy has already been fulfilled, as of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70,’ then you would probably correct me. ‘No, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the New Heavens and New Earth are still yet to be fulfilled.’ Then, the Book of Revelation is not just figurative and allegorical — teaching only principles and not predictive prophecy. You can see the difficulty of attempting to take away the stated purpose of the Book of Revelation. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1 KJV). When the Children of God become embarrassed about how long it has been taking the LORD for it to “shortly come to pass,” then we attempt to allegorize the Book of Revelation to ‘protect’ His image. But, if the any moment, imminent, “shortly come to pass” return of the Lord Jesus Christ can be accounted for by the delaying aspects of Spiritual Warfare, as seen in the Book of Daniel (10:13), then we can begin to appreciate why Jesus cautioned us, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32 KJV). May the LORD give us wisdom concerning His Return.
Battle Plan for Victory
If the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD was the consummation of biblical prophecies, and we are evolving towards the New Heavens and New Earth with a gospel to address societal ills, how are we doing? On the other hand, if we are waiting for the Rapture, and the world’s “going-to-hell-in-a-hand-cart,” again, how are we doing? Either way, not so good. What’s the battle plan? “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16 KJV). The Gospel is a supernatural offering of the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Son of God for the world, as an atonement for the sins of all those who believe and are baptized (a loyalty oath). Societal ills will be affected by the holy living of disciples; otherwise, disciples have not experienced a supernatural gospel transformation. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Finally, Christ will not return to rapture His Church until the Father has decided that the Gospel has been fully preached in all the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14 KJV). Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 