Christian Living

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Time is essence: Jesus return is eminent! The night is far spent. “Watchman, What of the night (Is 2:11)?” Solemn words depending on where we are standing, or our beliefs; like the people of Israel God has set watchmen in our midst, and he has set individual as watchmen also. We have heard all this before, nothing has changed it’s branded about for centuries that we are living in the end times:
• we can rationalised – everything is the same as it is from the beginning, the only difference is better communication improve technology and satellite relaying the news faster;
• we can spiritualised it, the message of His coming was for the early because of persecution; or deny the second coming of Jesus and say it's an error (see 2Peter 3). Peter had to write a second epistle to remind the believers.

Nevertheless, whatever our beliefs be alert and know the times and seasons; didn’t Jesus say in His Word “What I say to you I say to all, watch!” Well, Israel is God’s time clock, keep alert to what is going on in the mid-east; the count down began around 1948 or there about; although Israel’s neighbours say they (Israel) has no claim to the land, and one of them is threatening to blow it off the map into the sea. That’s not in the manual, it will never be!

Israel’s disobedience and rebellion and godlessness against Yahweh caused her demise, she was driven from the promise land and scattered over various nations of the earth, as God predicted.

Peter said ‘God is not slack concerning His promise;’ we judge everything by time period, God doesn’t, a day to Him is as a thousand years a thousand years is as a day. The Bible states Israel would also return to the land and become a nation again and in the fullness of time even without the majority embracing Yahweh as their God and serving Yeshua their Messiah (although there is a remnant in Israel embracing Yahweh and serving their Messiah) God brought them back into their land.

Despite Israel’s rebellion God has fulfilled His promise to her. Personally, I can testify that Israel is a vibrant nation despite some poverty and various problems, I have been there as an eyewitness that the Word of God is true, the land is flourishing and they are tremendous witnesses amongst followers of the Messiah.

Throughout the Bible every major events concerning Israel was predicted; why shouldn’t prophesies in the Scripture relating to the end times, and Jesus return be fulfilled? We can dissect, the Scriptures to accommodate our rational thinking but the Word of God stands firm.
God is speaking, but are we listening! The signs of the time are all around us; are our antennas picking up the signal?

Are these daily occurrences coincidence or what? ‘Worldwide credit crunch, godlessness and lawlessness in society; wars - internal and external, murders of innocent people including children, death and destruction increasing; what about increasing natural disasters, famines, fear and depression escalating,’ to put it mildly, only a grim picture to the reality of what is to be revealed, it’s closing all around us!
When we read God’s Word it is plain for any one to understand we don’t need to have a doctrine of divinity to see we are in the last days. Our daily news media are on target relaying the message to us loud and clear; the Bible says when we see these things look up because our redemption draws near. Jesus also said that He would appear as a thief in the night. I believe it’s not to those who are watching but to those who are not. We are watchmen and should be alert.
How do we watch?

A grim picture painted in Isaiah 21 about the pending destruction of Babylon the watchman’s heart was growing faint, he had sleepless nights and called out “Day after day to the people but they refuse to listen,” with pain he said, “O my people … I have told you everything the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, has said (Is 21:10 NLT).”

Isaiah, the watchman felt pain, you could just imagine the sound of agony in his voice, he is tearing out his hair in total disillusionment and sadness as he saw the period of darkness about to unfold; how long will it last, when will the night be over, if they had only listened!

Exactly, the same grim picture worldwide today, many are ignoring and rejecting God’s warning, now is the time to take note all lovers of God’s Word, we must pull ourselves together, listen and watch. Match our news media with the Bible it is more up-to-date; these times are predicted.
Read God’s Manual: He has set specific events leading up to His return; Israel the natural branch is being re-graphed to its natural tree. Are we aware God chose Israel for such a time as this? Or, do we believe God has given up on Israel and replaced her with some other lands, nations or the Church?

Observe our actions and attitudes towards Israel, and always examine that our beliefs are matched up with the Word of God towards the apple of His eye, because when we go against Israel we are going against God’s covenanted people who are linked with our future. Let us search the Scriptures, for His will in regards to our individual assignments and ask God to create a thirst for the accuracy of the Word to discern between truth and error; man made doctrines and opinions.

We don’t need to be a great Bible scholar only a child who wants to know their Father’s heart, and be open to the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We are to know the truth and it will set us free, we are also given a commission to go which we must obey.

The great commission (Matt 28:10-20) is go and make disciples; yes, the gospel is the Good News of the kingdom; the gospel is also the power of God. Therefore, we are to preach the gospel of the kingdom; heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and much, much more. What kind of gospel is being preached today? Is it the kingdom of God is at hand? Is the church being prepared for His coming? Or are we busy making merchandise out of the gifts God has imparted to His Church?

Yes it is a fact that God’s heart for His people (the church) to prosper and be in health in the same dimension as our soul prospers. Giving is a requirement of the gospel, God gave His Son to die in order to reconcile us to the Father, so Jesus gave everything He had – Himself as our offering; but are we suppose to spend more time preaching the gospel of prosperity than the King is at the door? Are we prepared for His coming, to live and reign with the King of kings and Lord of lords?

In fact everything we do should be a preparation for the Bride to meet her Bridegroom, everything else is second place (all our works will be tried), fire will determine their quality, not quantity. All churchy things should be placed on the back burner, the only important thing is doing what Jesus Christ has demanded and commanded the disciples, apostles and us to do – i.e. ‘Preach the kingdom, don’t add or take away or use flowery words to appease man,’ John the Baptist didn’t, neither did Jesus or the apostles therefore let us take our example from them. Peter said since we know all these things are going to happen, ‘what things Peter?’ The coming of the Lord is at hand, the wrath that will be poured out even in greater measures than we are experiencing, so conduct ourselves in godliness, and live holy (2Pet 3:11).

I believe this article is a wake up call for every believer especially for those at the forefront who have been commissioned to lead; this is a heavy load to carry, nevertheless what must be done, must be done; let us go back to basic. Jesus is coming soon, the kingdom is at hand, and Christ’s body must be prepared to meet Him. Discern the times through Scriptures and events around us and see that God is speaking loudly.

“Behold I am coming quickly, and My rewards is with Me…(Rev22:12 NKJV)!” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let each one who hears say “Come.” Let the thirsty one come--- anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge (Rev 22:17 NLT).

The command from Jesus is ‘Go and make disciples,’ then we are to be alert of the times and seasons, ‘Watch and Pray,’ and ‘Come,’ the closer we get to Him the more enlightened we become to hear and discern, to be prepared.
Watchman what about the coming night, the day is almost over??

Behold He comes! He is even at the door!!

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