Revelation

“Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Revelation

We are living in exciting times. When I became a follower of Jesus, many people were heavy into eschatology, or the study of the end times. Many looked high and low for signs of the coming of the Lord. Having not grown up in any religious system, I had no preconceived notions as to how things were to play out. Then, like now, my mind was open.

For years, there were rumblings, that could easily be explained away, as there was a hyper-vigilance for any sign that would point to the “rapture” the desire of many of the people around me at the time.

I personally was focused on the time after the rapture, of eternal life in the presence of Jesus and seeing a new world where there is no more sin, no more pain, and no more death.

As I read through Luke this morning, I thought back on all those years waiting for signs, when I read of Jesus’ speech to the disciples. In that moment, they were seeing things that previous generations had only hoped to see. Most importantly, they were seeing and touching the Promise, fulfilled.

“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Hebrews 11:39-40 NKJV

Though the disciples saw God in the flesh, Heaven come to earth, salvation at hand, we have an even greater blessing, as some of us will see the coming of the Lord to rule and reign on the earth.

In these troubling times, I rejoice, even as I tremble, as I know that the Lord holds the endgame, and while the process may be difficult, we know what happens in the end.

Even the death of my loved ones brings eternity closer, as I know that they are now seeing things that I can only hope to see. I think of my dear friend Frank, who went home recently. He is beholding Jesus, in His glory. Many of us have loved ones that have gone on before.

Because of this, I feel compelled to double down on my commitment to holiness, as I am reminded that the work continues, even as eternity nears. We truly have a great cloud of witnesses.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

Brothers and sisters, we must finish the race. The end is in sight. We are literally one bad day from nuclear annihilation, as we are in a time of horror not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

Let us not be paralyzed by fear, but mobilized to go and tell of Jesus. Even now there are brothers and sisters, evangelical ministers preaching the Gospel in Ukraine, as they face the prospect of prolonged war and opposition from the religious hierarchy of that nation.

Let us keep our eyes on what is to come, and the glory that will be revealed to us, when the full story of God, given to Jesus is presented to us in the real time unfolding of the book of Revelation.

Do not fear, but pray. Use this as a time to fill up our spiritual lamps with the truly essential oil of the Holy Spirit, for time is short and we must endure. Read the word, fellowship, and pray, pray, pray!

““Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”
Matthew 25:1-10 NKJV

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https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm