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The
End Times Are Here?
Matthew 25: 13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know
the day or the hour."
It seems that quit a few times when you are looking for a
ministry, one of their central themes is that this is the end
times. You really can offend someone but simply saying that the
end time will happen in our lifetime. I told one individual that
and you thought I had said something horrendous and that I was
so immature in my faith. Many ministries that claim to have the
prophetic calling deal primarily with end times. ".. in a flash,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet
will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be
changed." 1 Cor 15:52. This is one verse that many Christians
believe will be their final moment on earth, the moment of
joining with the the Lord of the day of the rapture.
Is this however keep watch like Jesus commanded us to do?
Throughout times many theologians have declared that this indeed
is the last days. From the times of the apostles, to the
crusades, to the 1980's where people would sell everything
convinced that this indeed is the final chapter of earth. Even
when year 2000 approached and the dreaded Y2K everything was
going to changed and it obviously had to be the end of the world
(so God is now predictable and works off a time like we do?
Never mind another topic).
I ask again is all this knowledge and effort being put forth for
end times really what Jesus had in mind by commanding us to keep
watch? Let us look at another verse. James 4:14 says "Why, you
do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes." And again in
Eccl 9:12a " Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come:"
Keeping these verses in mind, know that no man is promised
tomorrow. Today right now as you are reading this someone is
dying. Some deaths are predicted, as in terminal illnesses,
while others are unexpected like a car accident. How do you
spend you talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? Do you focus on what will
happen on the end of times while neglecting to tell your unsaved
friend about the love of Jesus? Do you sit at the high rooftops
shouting end time prophecy while someone below goes hungry
because of lack of food?
Let me touch on the gift of prophecy real quick and then I will
share some practical applications on how to to keep watch on how
I feel Jesus taught us to keep watch. Prophecy according to 1
Cor 14:3 is for speaking to men for their strengthening,
encouragement, and comfort. Do seek spiritual gifts, especially
the gift of prophecy, is a good an honorable thing (1 Cor 14:1).
But use these gifts in love as the Father shows love to us and
in the way that the Holy Spirit teaches you to use it. Always be
teachable. When you are unteachable you quench the Holy Spirit
and remain ineffective for the Kingdom's work (as well as being
stupid Proverbs 12:1).
Now for how Jesus taught us to keep watch! Almost everyone is
aware of the greatest commandments and the great commission
(Matt 28:19-20). But how do we accomplish this task? Matthew
25:31-45 is one passage of many that shows us some practical
applications. Some services of feeding the hungry, giving drink
to the thirsty, caring for strangers, clothing the naked, and
visiting the sick and those in prison are ways that we our
showing the love of God in a practical way and as a result we
are doing this things unto Jesus Himself! What better way to
serve Him who has given us unmerited grace? Jesus Himself in
many different verses had compassion for people and wanted to
serve them and show them His love. Should we not do the same?
Everyone knows that the end of the world is coming. Most
everyone believes that is will end one way or another. But how
many people know of the love of God through the Son of Jesus?
How many are walking in grace with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit? What is our focus and how does it effect others around
us? Pray for the Spirit to show you of how He wants to use you
and He will show you ways. The harvest is plenty and the
laborers are few. Besides when the last person person has heard
the gospel, the end of the earth will come. So are we looking
for the end days or living like it is someone's last day? It
maybe yours or it may be someone around you that needs to hear
and see His love.
Eccl 8:7 Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is
to come?
Live like this is your last day on earth but plan for your
children's children!
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