Maranatha!

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

As we see the culmination of this age and all of the signs pointing to the return of the King, we can take heart in knowing our redemption draws near.

Whenever I hear a bevy of bad news I grow increasingly expectant. The news is bad depending on your position or point of view, for others the news brings a culmination of hope.

Maranatha is a greek term that means O Lord Come! We see it in 1 Corinthians 16:22 “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!”

When considering the direction the world is going, particularly the lack of love, this proclamation rings increasingly stronger…Maranatha!

American has reached a point where they celebrate gay pride for the entire month of June. Parades are held to celebrate the sin, movies are produced, and schools now make it a priority to emphasize this type of lifestyle. Love is love becomes the slogan for those who want to normalize same sex relationships, and yet love for the Lord is nowhere to be found among the messages.

Love for the Lord or lack of it becomes the curse of those who place their emphasis on filling up their flesh.

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

In a world that places it’s focus on indoctrinating children into a particular sexual lifestyle rather than understanding how their Creator loves them, it is this type of world that is spinning out of control.

the Bad News

As I survey even a recent week of headlines there is a sense of joy that starts welling up inside me. Amidst all of the bad news is the reminder that evil has an end.

It’s no wonder the cry of Maranatha! rings ever louder today.

World war three is increasingly becoming a closer reality. With the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine the world finds itself becoming more divided. NATO, the group of nations that united after WWII has been providing weapons to Ukraine, other non-NATO countries are looking to join the alliance with a perspective of a Russian invasion looming in the future.

Maranatha!

Embargo’s of wheat and urea have impacted the global food and fertilizer market, as well as the transportation industry. Since China has been hoarding their own resources, the prospect of a worldwide famine only increases. Bird flu outbreaks have led to the mass extermination of chickens and with a shortage of poultry and feed costs on the rise, everything combined is contributing to global inflation.

The American stock market is in a bear type cycle and continues to plunge, taking with it large amounts of people’s life savings and the foundation of hope for many.

Maranatha!

Recent events within the Biden administration is shifting America’s support of Israel. The increased focus on propping up a Palestinian cause is leading Biden to remove support for Israel. Talk of building a type of Palestinian embassy in Israel and vacating the American embassy in Jerusalem only undermines the support Israel has enjoyed since it’s reformation in 1948. Without American support, Israel’s enemies are standing at the door, ready to attack.

With a Putin holding his finger on the nuclear button of Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China are now moving quickly into a pattern of threat that only contributes to the madness.

Whether we mourn the loss of children shot inside another school or the countless children murdered by abortion and now infanticide, this world can seem pretty gloomy.

Maranatha!

Remember the Plan

I wouldn’t include all of this bad news just to create alarm, I do so because it all points to a conclusion and global conclusions end with Jesus!

Hebrews 10:37 “For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.”

God’s plans unfold in perfect time. A world leader arises because God places him or her there for a reason. Joe Biden has an evil agenda and yet I believe God has raised him up for this hour. Putin and many other leaders are in place because the plans of God have eternal consequences and His desires for humanity haven’t changed since the beginning of time.

The bad news is, things are only going to get worse. The good news is, nothing happens without God’s consent.

the Good News

Everytime I read a global report that reflects biblical prophecy, I admit I have to repress my excitement. I find it so amazing to have a front row seat to end time prophecy unfolding before our eyes.

Jesus is coming soon and He will not delay.

I’ve been hearing this reminder all of my life, and in the greater picture of things, it was just as true 50 years ago as it is today. When looking back through history of biblical kings we forget how relative time is and how brief the time we have experienced as been.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

God’s plan is to complete the assembly of His church, the Bride of Christ. God delays the fullness of His wrath on this world because there is work left to do. We, His church, have a commission that is yet to be fulfilled. Going into all the world and preaching the gospel is the command, not going into all the world and trying to get them into the church, but rather presenting the gospel.

Being found Faithful

All too often people think the role of sharing the gospel is on the pastor of a church…that is not true. The pastor’s primary role is shepherding the flock, our role is being salt and light in a world that is in darkness and lacks life.

Revelation 1:18 “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

If we truly believe the gospel, we believe there is a time of judgement that is coming upon this world. We believe that if someone dies in sin, they are separated from God to a place called Hell. The only means of salvation is by trusting Jesus, believing that He died for sin and then following Him in life.

Proclaiming Maranatha!, is not to just wait in hope for Christ’s return but to usher in His return by being found faithful.

When the Lord returns, how will He find you?

Will your focus be on protecting yourself from a world that is spiraling out of control, will it be found in hiding for fear of what people may think of you?

True hope and peace can only be found in Christ alone….those who are lost need to hear this message today.