Articles
Are We Ready?
ARE WE READY TO STAND BEFORE OUR LORD IN JUDGMENT?? This is a question that should cross our minds, at least from time to time. We know He (Jesus) will return to earth again, however the time is known only to the Father in heaven.
"And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, SHALL APPEAR A SECOND TIME, not to bear sin,, to those who eagerly await Him, for salvation." (Hebrews 9:27,28)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, or the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. " (Matthew 24:35-38)
God's promises never fail. He is long suffering, and wishes all to come to a knowledge of His truth, and be saved. However, there are limits to His patience. When He decides it is time to send His Son back to earth it will happen. We have not been promised any sign of His coming, IN fact it is most probable it might be when least expected. So, we need to be ready, not later on, but every day of our lives as Christians. The gospel age will end when He comes again -- no more opportunities to repent then. Changes must be made now when time is on our side.
Remember Paul's words to the Athenians in Acts chapter 17. They worshiped many false gods, Paul teaches them of the true living God.
"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself give to all life and breath and all things; and He made from one every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though His is not far from each one of us;" (Acts 17:24-27)
A bit later in this chapter of Acts Paul informs them (and us) a very profound truth: JESUS WILL BE THE JUDGE OF ALL MEN.
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH A MAN WHOM HE HAS APPOINTED, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30,31) (Acts 10:42)
"*I solemnly charge in in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is the judge of the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:1,2)
Jesus Himself informed His apostles about returning again to the earth before leaving them and going to the Father.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO." (John 14:3)
One of the wonderful blessings He has given us is the promise for the faithful to have a home there -- in heaven also.
"...in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, will award to me on THAT DAY; AND NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING." (2 Timothy 4:8)
Are we making sure we are ready? Are we listening? God wants all to be saved, but Jesus teaches many will try to get in by "the broad way". (Matthew 7). I put my trust in what the Lord has said and promised in His word. What about you?
Ross
