The World, as we know it with its evil and corrupted ways, is
about to come to an end as we presently know it as we enter the final time
before Jesus’s return and His righteousness will reign.
This is a time in history that has been anticipated for centuries,
and it now falls upon our generation to prepare ourselves.
What does this mean?
It means that every generation from the time of Jesus up to our
time has been eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord.
“But our
homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, to come from heaven. By his power to rule all things, he will change
our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body.”
Philippians
3:20-21 (NCV)
How do we know that this is the last generation?
There have been unprecedented outpourings of God’s Spirit in
places that no one could have ever imagined, like China and Iran, to name a
few. These outpourings have been in areas of persecution from
hostile governments. When Jesus’s testimony could not be preached or
taught, Jesus appears in the form of dreams and visions directly to people.
‘This
is what I will do in the last days—I will pour out my Spirit on everybody and
cause your sons and daughters to prophesy, and your young men will see visions,
and your old men will experience dreams from God.’
Acts 2:17
(TPT)
Presently worldwide, as we speak during this Coronavirus pandemic (even
though the effects of the virus are tragic by the loss of life), God
is drawing people to Himself in ways that were thought to be impossible or
improbable only a few short months ago. More people are connecting
to Church services and meetings online than ever before. People are
looking for hope!
Families now have the opportunity to relate to each other with no
distractions from outside influence if mandated social distancing orders are
adhered to.
The Church prayed for revival!
Sometimes what we pray for does not take the form that we imagine
it to be because we typically base our expectations on past
experiences. Revival may be happening among us in ways we may not
recognize at first blush if people are connecting to each other and with God’s
people (the Church) exponentially, then maybe, just maybe, God
is on the move.
The whole
creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into
their own. The World of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it
chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited—yet it
has been given hope. And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life
will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in
that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God!
Romans
8:19-22 (PHILLIPS)
How do we prepare?
Preparation is receiving Jesus as our Lord and then allowing the
Holy Spirit to flow through our lives to conform us to become more like Him in
everything we usually do. It is changing our perspective that our God is bigger
than every circumstance or obstacle, and He can meet us where we
are.
The other thing is letting others know that Jesus loves them too,
and there is so much that can be formed in our lives, which will stand the test
of time that we all go through. These times of testing are called “trials
by fire,” which prove if what is in our lives will last for eternity
or not or be consumed by the flames of testing.
The testing is a testing of love, not harsh testing like a
test-dummy where we crash into walls or anything like that; it is like a
bridegroom testing the boundaries of his love for his bride. The
testing is always personal and relational, for it is preparing us for what is
coming.
“ In my
opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared
with the magnificent future God has planned for us.”
Romans
8:18 (PHILLIPS)
What are we preparing for?
Jesus is coming back to receive His bride (which is His Church) who
has been eagerly awaiting His return. She adorns herself with
beauty (which is Christ Himself). The reason that the biblical
definition of marriage is two becoming one flesh is apparent here. We
are being prepared so that we will be like Him. The marriage of Jesus and His
bride will be a celebration of our oneness in Christ.
The
Scripture says, “So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with
his wife, and the two will become one body.” That secret is very important—I am
talking about Christ and the Church.
Ephesians
5:31-32 (NCV)
What is the end game?
The final destination of our Christian life is for us to be
one (united with Jesus) so that He is ruling and reigning
in our lives.
Our ultimate destiny is that we would rule and reign with Him on
the earth.
We are called many things, The Bride, Children, and Sons
& Daughters; one thing is shared among all of these descriptions is
that they are all relational, Jesus wants us to be in relationship with Him on
an intimately personal level.
This teaching is true:
If we
died with him, we will also live with him.
If we accept
suffering, we will also rule with him.
If we say
we don’t know him, he will say he doesn’t know us.
If we are
not faithful, he will still be faithful,
because
he must be true to who he is.
2 Timothy
2:11-13 (NCV)
Be Blessed;
Stephen Barnett
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