Jesus in his love and mercy gave us clear signs of His close return. Unfortunately, as his chosen we are sleeping and although these signs are occurring we are not aware. Many believe that those presenting these messages are merely alarmist and perhaps say:"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36.
"The words were spoken by Christ in that memorable conversation with his disciples upon Olivet, after he had for the last time departed from the temple. The disciples had asked the question, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" [MATT. 24:3, 33, 42-51]. Jesus gave them signs, and said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." [MATT. 24:3, 33, 42-51]. One saying of the Saviour must not be made to destroy another. Though no man knoweth the day nor the hour of his coming, we are instructed and required to know when it is near. We are further taught that to disregard his warning, and refuse or neglect to know when his advent is near, will be as fatal for us, as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming. And the parable in the same chapter contrasting the faithful and the unfaithful servant, and giving the doom of him who said in his heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming," shows in what light Christ will regard and reward those whom he finds watching, and teaching his coming, and those denying it. "Watch therefore," he says; "blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." [MATT 24:3, 33, 42-51]. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on these as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." [REV. 3:3.]"*The servant of the Lord brings a little more clarity to the issue. Although none of us know the day nor the hour in which the Lord will return it is our duty to watch and pray so that we can awaken out of our deep sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)
"Paul speaks of a class to whom the Lord's appearing will come unawares. "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape." But he adds, to those who have given heed to the Saviour's warning, "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness." [1 THESS. 5:2-5.]" *As Adventists we sometimes hide the fact that we came out of a great disappointment in which it was preached that Jesus would come on a certain date. The Lord allowed this to happen for many reasons among them was to awaken a need for the prompt return of Jesus. This could only happen with a greater understanding of the Bible and of the signs combined with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord's servant continues saying,
"Thus it was shown that Scripture gives no warrant for men to remain in ignorance concerning the nearness of Christ's coming. But those who desired only an excuse to reject the truth closed their ears to this explanation; and the words, "No man knoweth the day nor the hour," continued to be echoed by the bold scoffer, and even by the professed minister of Christ. As the people were roused, and began to inquire the way of salvation, religious teachers stepped in between them and the truth, seeking to quiet their fears by falsely interpreting the Word of God. Unfaithful watchmen united in the work of the great deceiver, crying, Peace, peace, when God had not spoken peace. Like the Pharisees in Christ's day, many refused to enter the kingdom of Heaven themselves, and those who were entering in, they hindered. The blood of these souls will be required at their hand." *
"The words of prophecy were fulfilled: "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." [2 Peter 3:3, 4]. Many who professed to love the Saviour, declared that they had no opposition to the doctrine of the second advent; they merely objected to the definite time. But God's all-seeing eye read their hearts. They did not wish to hear of Christ's coming to judge the world in righteousness. They had been unfaithful servants, their works would not bear the inspection of the heart-searching God, and they feared to meet their Lord. Like the Jews at the time of Christ's first advent, they were not prepared to welcome Jesus. They not only refused to listen to the plain arguments from the Bible, but ridiculed those who were looking for the Lord. Satan and his angels exulted, and flung the taunt in the face of Christ and holy angels, that his professed people had so little love for him that they did not desire his appearing." *The Bible is clear when it says:
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)Let us examine our lives. How much to we really desire for the Lord to return? Many might say that the Lord has delayed his promise, that it is still a long time until Lord comes. They can even go to Scripture to highlight a few things that still must happen before His return. But the Lord will search their hearts and will demand the blood of all those who hey discouraged and ridiculed for preaching of the prompt return of Christ. The apostle Peter tells us,
.... what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)Let us pray that God’s Spirit may work in us and awaken us to the reality of our times. Events can unravel in several years or several days. The terrible thing is that the latter rain will fall and many hearers of the word we will not pay attention because they are distracted thinking that we should not hasten the coming of Jesus.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (Matthew 24:32, 33)
THE LORD IS COMING!
* The Great Controversy, "A Great Religious Awakening," Ellen White
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