“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Rev. 3:3
The Lord’s return to rapture His church will be like a thief in the night to the citizens of this world, but it will also be to the believer that hasn’t held fast to what they received. Are you holding fast?
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Rev. 19:7
Noah prepared an ark because he was expecting rain. Joseph stored grain because he was expecting a famine. Joshua and the army of Israel shouted because they expected the walls to fall down. David took five smooth stones because he was expecting to defeat a giant. Christians will make themselves ready, if they are expecting the Lord to return to take them to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
“So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:” I Cor. 1:7
The word “waiting” implies a waiting with expectancy. So with that in mind, there are those that believe in mid or post-trib rapture that say it is dangerous to believe in the pre-trib rapture because you will not be prepared for the persecution you will have to face in the seven year tribulation. But I say, how can a Christian be wrong by believing and being obedient to the word of God? If we are to wait with expectancy for the Lord’s return, then it only makes sense that I am going to believe He can come any moment. If I am supposed to eagerly await for Jesus to return, then I am not going to be looking for someone or something else first.
“So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:” I Cor. 1:7
Not all believers are waiting with expectancy for the Lord’s return. Those that desire Christ the most right now are those that have the greatest desire for Him to return. How about you, are you waiting with expectancy?
“So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:” I Cor. 1:7
The nation of Israel waited for the promised King and Messiah. The believers in the upper room waited for the promised Holy Spirit. Today, the church is waiting for the promised “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Come quickly Lord!
“I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” Lk. 12:49
The NKJV says this verse with more clarity. “I came to send fire on the earth, how I wish it were already kindled.” What Jesus is saying is that the fire will be kindled at a later day. What day would that be? The day of Pentecost. That is the day the church received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and FIRE. We are called to be salt and light to this world. How often have you heard you are to be fire? Well, that is what you are to be so let it be kindled, let it burn.
“Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” Ps. 71:8
Some Christians may say that this verse is an exaggeration. Who can praise and honor God all day long? If you know a man that is going to be marrying a virgin that he loves, ask him who is on his mind. Ask the family who is going on a great vacation in a few days what their minds are on. Ask young children a few days before Christmas what they are thinking about. You can’t help but to think about and ponder on that which you are excited about.
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16
Jesus returned to Nazareth after He was filled with the Spirit. He did not come to the synagogue trying to eliminate tradition and custom. He went there as was “His custom.” The difference is He brought authority and power with Him. So many Christians hate tradition. When tradition overrules the ministry of the Holy Spirit than I can see why. That is when tradition is definitely wrong. However, getting rid of traditions and customs in the church is not the answer. We need the power of the Spirit to take away the deadness of tradition. We need the Spirit to bring life to our assemblies so our traditions aren’t even noticed.
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.” Lk. 4:14
Jesus left Galilee a perfect man and returned to Galilee a perfect Spirit filled man. How we need the church to return “in the power of the Spirit.” How we need the church to return to her roots of Holy Spirit power and authority. Saints, please pray and believe for this.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9
One of the meanings of the word “believe” is to have conviction. Conviction is that inner voice or impression that insists you just can’t do something you shouldn’t do, or you know you just can’t go that way. If you obey your godly convictions, you won’t sin. If you don’t sin, you don’t have to face being convicted.
