The Father Knows

I have been doing a lot of thinking about some of issues being discussed in various circles. One issue that was brought forward is when Christ will return.

I am not sure whom I'm speaking with, nor what individual beliefs are regarding when Christ will return. What I do know is that there seems to be an attitude that whether one is pre-millennial, post-millennial, pre-trib, post-trib, pre-wrath or whatever, it is supposed to be a reason to cause some division.

My thought is, where is the Biblical verse that labels us as any of these?

I ask this because I am beginning to think that this whole area of discussion is often going against the scriptures. By that I mean that we are to encourage one another, edify and help each other grow in Biblical knowledge and understanding of basic living for Christ, not cause division between each other over scripture.

As far as when Christ returns, Jesus discussed the end-times and what to watch for as signs of His coming back. Some of it is "guess-work" depending on how much knowledge we have of history and what or who is connected. The bottom line is, that even if we went strictly by Matthew 24 or Mark 13, we would be able to parallel much of what is happening now in the world. This leaves us with God's directive of how we are to be in attitude and awareness of His return.

Matthew 24: 36-39

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of No-e were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that No-e entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Matthew 24:42-44

 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

That says to us that not one has the edge of knowing when Christ shall return. We are simply admonished to be ready, knowing that indeed He will return, and not one of us will have a warning or know for certain in advance when, other than the signs that are laid out for us by God in Matthew, Mark, Daniel, Luke, Revelation and more.

Luke 12:40

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

2 Thessalonians 2:3

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."

Mark 13:13

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Mark 13: 22-26

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."

Mark 13:32-37

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

Matthew 24:45,46

"Who then is the wise and faithful servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing."

Perhaps this is being too simplistic of what people wish to discuss with regards to the end times.

Is it enough to know that Christ could return at any moment and are we ready? There are too many things happening behind the scenes with the UN, one world religion and the anti-christ to be entirely accurate in correlating prophecy to media/reports. Some things are more visible and can easily be identified to scripture such as weather, wars and rumors of wars and the apostasy of the churches.

We can verify other things and we should, but does it make any difference in what we do?

If we get caught up in trying to figure out when we think Christ will return, perhaps we're missing the point of always being ready. And perhaps we're missing opportunities to be obedient to Christ in warning those who do not understand eternity and where they may spend it.

Perhaps we're alienating people because in essence, we might be acting disobedient to the directives listed above.

Quite simply, Jesus said we are to be ready. When certain things happen, then we'll know time is short. And all one has to do is look at scripture, and around us, and we see God's prophecies being fulfilled at an incredible rate. We, as a family, desire to be found faithful.

Regardless of what we have to go through, we want to trust God and have the courage and God-given strength to endure to the end, whenever that will be for each of us.

We all have to be ready daily, as God could call us home at any moment. We also need to have the heart knowledge of being willing to die for our faith. Whether we're put into that position today, tomorrow or never makes no difference. We simply have to come to grips with that as part of our 100 percent commitment to our Lord and Savior.

As a family we have felt the hand of isolation and resentment from "brethren" who have become apostate in various ways. Some are fortunate in that they have not been put into that position and may not need to deal with all that goes with it those circumstances. Many are dealing with other difficult circumstances. We will all most likely deal with so much more in the months ahead --as God allows.

If we are truly interested in encouraging and edifying the Body of Christ then we need to be careful we are not deceived into causing heartache and division, all for the purpose of being "right" on this issue. Scripture clearly tells us only the Father knows when Christ will return.

We believe that Christ will return soon, based on seeing what we believe to be fulfilled prophetic scripture. Regardless of what He allows each of us to go through, whether we suffer much or little, is in His hands, where it should be. We should not be worried about what comes to pass. Suffice it that He will be with us regardless.

Come soon Lord Jesus.

 All Scripture quotes are taken from the Authorized King James Bible

Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen. All Scripture King James Version unless otherwise stated.

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