THE BEGINNING OF THE END

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Isaiah 46: 9-10

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”

Good morning family. Today, I have one message and one message only: Prepare to meet the Lord, for His coming is upon us.

Hold up.

Yes, this may be an uncomfortable subject; a colleague of mine basically flips out whenever I mention this issue. That doesn’t stop it from being the truth though. I was actually given an awakening over the course of this past weekend, and I have not been able to stop thinking, or talking about it since. And I don’t want to, to be honest.

Some of you may ask, what’s the big deal? Why do I need to prepare? Why don’t I just wait until a bit later?

Let me give you a scenario: you have an interview. Scratch that; I will use me. I remember a while back when I was given the notification that I was to have an interview, in about a month or so. After rejoicing and thanking God, what did I do? I decided to PREPARE. I got books that would help me, and I tried to think of possible scenarios the interview would take. I planned what and how I would read.

I know this is Standard Operating Procedure for any Interviewee out there.

My point? When you prepare so much just to get a job, how much more then when you actually have to meet your Maker.

But there’s another question: How come I have been hearing about this for practically my whole life? Why has He not come? Why do some people act as if He won’t come?

2 Peter 3: 3-4

“Knowing this first, that 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 fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

I have heard this question in one form or the other, even from family. I once asked this question myself. Now, look at what 2 Peter 3: 9 says:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”

How amazing is that? God is actually giving us more time to come to Him, to come to repentance. If this isn’t Love, I don’t know what is.

So, does this mean we should give up everything and focus on His coming?

By all means, no. We are still in this world and we must work, provide for our families, study, eat, live etc. However, in all these things we do, we must keep our eyes on the prize: Heaven. Let us do all we do with Heaven in mind. Let us conduct our business with the perspective of Heaven. Let us study like Heaven will want us to. In our daily interactions, let us show Christ to all. Let us let the light of God’s love shine through us even as gross darkness covers the earth, especially in these last days.

Let us lead all men to Christ.

If you want to give your life to Christ if you have not, or you have but along the line you have been derailed, Jesus is waiting to receive you with open arms. Just repeat these words, and say them out loud (Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation).

Say this prayer with me:

Father in Heaven, I thank you. I thank you for loving me well enough to send your son to die for my sake. I confess that I am a sinner, and that I have sinned and have fallen short. Lord Jesus, I confess that you are my Saviour and Lord over my Life. I believe in you. Come into my heart, and set me free from the bondage of sin. Wash me with your blood which you shed for me on the Cross, that I may be whiter than snow. Cleanse my soul, cleanse my mind, cleanse my spirit. Come and live in me, and through me. Mould me, and make me who I am meant to be in you, that I may live for you in this world. I give my life unto you, and I dedicate myself to you. Take control. Make me sensitive to You and Your words that I may do your will, my Father. Keep me in your path, and teach me to walk in your ways, in the name of Jesus Christ I have prayed. Amen.

Congratulations. Welcome to the family.

Jesus Christ waits for us all to come home to the place He has prepared for us. I personally cannot wait to meet Him. We have a whole lot to talk about.

For music, I will give you Touch The Sky by Hillsong United. Yes. Again. It is appropriate.

God bless you...