Maranatha!

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

As we witness the culmination of this age and the myriad of signs pointing to the return of the King of kings, 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! A hope that has been present since the birth of the church age.

1 Corinthians 16:22 “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!”

When we consider the direction the world is going, the lack of love, the blasphemy against God’s name, the 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 sin, movies are made to glorify deviancy, and schools now make it a priority to emphasize lifestyles that ruin children. Love is love became the slogan for those who want to normalize same sex relationships, and yet love for the Lord is nowhere to be found within the message.

Love for the Lord (or lack of it), has become the curse of those who place their emphasis on filling up their flesh in all that profanes God’s name.

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 a focus on indoctrinating people into a particular sexual lifestyle rather than understanding the holiness of their Creator, the display typifies a world that is spinning out of control.

the Bad News

For those who witnessed the opening of the 2024 Olympics, the putrid nature of a sinful world was on full display. Lost in the menagarie of blasphemy is the continued attacks against Israel. The week of headlines demonstrated a growing world front against God’s chosen nation, and yet there is a sense of joy that wells up inside me knowing the Lord will put an end to the debauchery of this evil world.

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

World war three is increasingly becoming a 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!

The country of Turkey is ran by a dictator named Recep Erdogan, and he has given himself the power to issue a mobilization of forces without his cabinets approval. Just this week he was quoted as saying, “Like we entered Karabakh and Libya – we will do the same to Israel”.

With Israel fighting against terrorism in Gaza and on the precipice of war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the prospect of an Ezekiel 38 war appears on the horizon.

Maranatha!

With President Biden in a rapid progression of dementia, V.P. Harris is on the cusp of assuming power. Her plan to run on Biden’s ticket seems to be generating steam. Kamala Harris has a radically progressive agenda that could be the final nail in American relations with Israel.

With 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 that ends with Jesus as victorious!

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

God’s plans unfold in a perfect time. A world leader arises because God places him or her there for a reason. Biden has an evil agenda and yet I believe God has allowed him to be in his position for a reason. 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 my eyes.

Jesus is coming soon and He will not delay.

I’ve been hearing the reminder all of my life, yet with a greater picture of events unfolding the pattern is ominous. When looking back through history of biblical kings we forget how relative time is and how brief the time we have experienced has 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. His church has a commission that is yet to be fulfilled. Going into all the world and preaching the gospel is the command. The focus isn’t to go into all the world and get people into church, but rather the church is to present the gospel where the world resides.

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, the churches role is to be 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 in 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 the message today.