Time is running out!
Many believe, even elderly men today, that they will see the return of Jesus Christ in their lifetime.
If you are reading this wanting to know a specific date… well, read on…
Since the end of WWII and the restoration of Israel in 1948, we have seen more fulfillment of Prophetic Scripture more than any other time since the first century. The spiritual season, we find ourselves in, is the beginning of the fullness of times — the period leading up to the return of Jesus Christ.
Yet while most Christians agree that we live in prophetic times, two specific tasks remain unfulfilled.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14
And:
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Revelation 19:7Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1,2
…
After all, people have never hated their own bodies, but they feed and care for them, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:29-32
The two tasks that remain are:
1. the evangelisation of the Nations, and
2. the restoration of purity and unity in the born-again church.
The two are entwined with each other because it is the purified church, united and filled with love for Jesus, that will turn the Nations to God.
I have spoken a lot about purity in previous postings… let us now consider Unity.
Many Christians believe we must have an outpouring of the Holy Spirit before we find true unity.
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4,5
And in the fulfilling of the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:1
But as we see from Scripture, men and woman were in ‘one accord’ before Pentecost; before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. If the disciples were not in one accord – Unity – prior to Pentecost, there would not have been the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The outpouring did not create unity; Unity made a way for the outpouring!
It has been this way forever, and it remains this way today.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 133
Where we dwell together in unity, God commands His eternal blessing.
The unity God seeks is deep. The devil seeks to exploit our differences but God tunes us with our differences and harmonises our calling until we corporately represent Christ. In this way, we need brothers and sisters in Christ with different temperaments and specialised callings.
Our unity must transcend the cultural boundaries or race or wealth where we truely love, respect, honour and enjoy one another. Through this, God can use each one of us to reach a variety of people in our society.
So, over the next several weeks, let us explore together, unity. For I believe, unity is the pre-requisite needed to bring healing to families, churches, cities and nations. Healthy families and churches are what will bring lasting transformation to cities and nations…. and then Jesus Christ will return!
And the exact date:
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:44
So, let’s get ready because it is really up to you and me… together.