Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Pondering...

The last few days I have come across information that
leads to delving into the end times once more. It is not
just the increase of earthquakes, volcanoes, or the 70th
birthday of the state of Israel in a few weeks, or, even
the quickening pace of news each day--one can hardly
keep up! But it is a verse given by Jesus in answer to
the question of His disciples who wanted to know when
these things would come forth in Matt 24, 25; Mark 13;
and Luke 17, 21. Jesus began by emphasizing one thing:
'Take heed that you be not deceived.' 
Luke 21:8; Mark 13:5 Matt 24:4. Jesus was very clear
that deception would be a sign of the end times.

Another question was on the lines of what things would
be happening to which Jesus answered in Luke 17:26,
'As in the days of Noah so it will be in the days of 
the Son of Man: They ate and drank, they married 
wives, they were given in marriage, until the day 
that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and 
destroyed them all...
on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire 
and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 

In these two examples life was completely normal-- un-
til sudden destruction came. The sun out, the sky cloud-
less, a gentle breeze, good food, good friends...

The Thessalonians had many questions and Paul wrote
to them in 1Thessalonians 4, 5. He began by showing
this church that there was coming a day when the trum-
pet would sound and they would be taken to heaven.
(Yes, it could happen in their lifetime!)
Paul went on to say that just before this departure,
'men would say, Peace and safety, or peace and se-
curity.' (before the next sentence the church departs.)
"Then sudden destruction comes upon them--the 
unbelievers--as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, 
and they shall not escape." The church would be gone
because: "God did not appoint us to wrath, but to 
obtain salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ." 
1Thes 5:1-9

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, 
just as you also are doing.  (vrs 11)

Reader, if Paul spent many verses speaking of these things
to one of the first churches he planted, how much more
should we understand that the time is very late! Jesus also
made it clear that our age would experience deception and
that when He comes for His Bride things would still be
normal. No one would expect Him unless they were wait-
ing for His appearance. "Normal life" gives me peace as
I watch the latest news!

Do you indeed know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?
If not, choose Him now!
Secondly, share the Good News of the Gospel with others.




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