Re: How urgent should our messages be?

The good news of the second coming of Jesus has resonated well with the God fearing from its onset.What has been the challenge and a subject of discussion and speculation has been the how and when of His coming.Various understanding and interpretation has led to the date setting, disappointment, and the falling off.

Do you remember the count down to the year 2000? There was fear and anticipation of the un known. As it was reported then,a good number made their way to churches for either their love to God or fear for the impending judgment. When the year 2000 came and went,many needless to say went back to their former ways. Today,the world seem relaxed waiting for another event to take place.God have mercy!

When I was anticipating to marry,my friends told me that there was no need since Jesus was near,yea,even at the door.Soon we'll celebrate 27 years anniversary.

And so my question is two fold: Will Jesus return? And if the answer is yes,how should we prepare the world including ourselves?

Like I started,there is no question,at least in my mind that Jesus indeed will return one day,some day as he promised.Based on the many promises given in the Bible and their fulfillment,I have no doubts whatsoever that this too will take place.

A careful study of the word of God, reveals that God's messages have always been presented as urgent. Even the disciples thought that Jesus was going to rap up things during their life time. In fact according to Hebrews 11:13 " These all died in faith,not having received the promises,but having seen them afar off,and were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

So then how to we prepare? This is my take.

1.I will live as though today is my last day on earth, and prepare as if I will be around for a while. You and I know for a fact that today we are here and tomorrow we are gone.I therefore want to surrender my life daily. But while waiting,I want to keep myself busy preaching and working to feed myself and the family that the good Lord has given me.
2.I decided long time ago not to sit and wait for events to unfold to determine my readiness.Whether they happen or not,I will be always ready as per God's warning.
3.I want to be ready whether or not the world is ready.
4.I will do well to remind myself the following: *During the time of Noah, only one family of 8 were saved.
*During the time of Sodom & Gomorrah,only 3 made it.
*The children of Israel who started their journey from Egypt to the promised land were around 600,000. men besides women and children. Only 2 made it to the promised land.

How about our time? Only God knows. What I know is that I must be ready daily.How about you my friend?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai-612-386-4608
www.ThemaranathaSDAchurch.org