Don’t Just Be Ready—Get Others Ready Too!
Do you know what the center most verse in the Bible says? According to verse count the middle or center verse in the Bible is Psalm 118:8 which says It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. There you go…this is so true. Considering all the messages we receive every day, in every way, we should always keep this truth front and center in our minds…it’s better to trust in, take refuge in, Jehovah God than to put confidence in, trust in human beings.
I think that’s true, don’t you? For example, this past weekend before and after the Sunday Celebrations, I was involved in conversations around the theme of Israel attacking Iran. There seemed to be concern or worry, or fear driving these conversations. One question was…is this the start of WW 3 or the Gog Magog war or the Psalm 83 war or last battle before the rapture or what!!?? My general response was I don’t know what it is or how to define it; but, if it’s the end, we can’t do anything about it, so we don’t need to worry - God’s in control! If it’s not the end, I think surely we can see the end from here!
Clearly what’s happening right now between Israel and Persia, the ancient name for Iran, is significant and obviously pointing to something. What that something is could be a wide variety of things. When we consider the conflict between these two ancient peoples in conjunction with all the many other signs spoken of in scripture regarding Jesus’ return, it makes the weight of this growing battle more significant. The Israel v. Iran military struggle along with all the other wars and unrest throughout the world, the proliferation of AI, the growing promotion of digital currency, along with a rising frequency and severity of geophysical weather and natural disasters, plus world culture falling deeper and deeper into a state of rebellion and apostasy while the “Big C” Church is preaching everything BUT the Gospel…tells me we’re closer than ever to the return of Jesus and the end of this world as we know it.
With all that said, I think we should consider our response to the obvious changes taking place and where these changes seem to be taking us. For those of us who love and follow Jesus, it should enhance our joy and amplify our hope! The closer we get to the return of Christ the more satisfied we should become in Him. I want to see Jesus, don’t you!!?? I want to be with Jesus, don’t you!!?? I long for His return, don’t you!!??
While the hope and joy we may be experiencing fills us with an expectant excitement, we should also let it motivate us. This growing motivation should be moving us to say if He’s coming soon, I need to jump in with both feet and tell everyone I know about Him before it’s too late!
The Bible’s the only Holy Book that validates itself with fulfilled prophecy. Why did God in His inspired word tell us “history in advance”? He didn’t give us prophetic messages to just titillate our senses and our curiosities or to satiate our hunger for new and bizarre ideas. No, in addition to validating His word, God gave prophecy to motivate us to get ready to meet Him, stay ready to meet Him, and get others ready to meet Him.
The thought that Jesus could come any day, all the signs for His return are fulfilled, and there’s nothing to stop Him, calls out to us, “Get ready to meet Him!” Make sure you’ve repented of your sin, that you believe in Him and have received Him as your sacrifice to God! Make sure you’re His child as He says in John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.
We get ready to meet Him, and we stay ready to meet Him! His soon return is motivation to follow Peter’s instruction when he said… 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love…10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. Let’s lay aside all the distractions and sins that quibble with our souls and get focused on Jesus. If we’re going to see Him soon, let’s make sure we recognize Him when He shows up!
Being ready and staying ready to meet Him leads us to get others ready to meet Him. I’m sure you feel as I do, I don’t want anyone to miss Jesus when He comes. If we don’t share the Gospel with our unsaved family, neighbors and friends, are we confident they’ll hear it someplace else? God placed those specific people in our lives so we can tell them about Jesus. Jesus commanded us to go make disciples! As we see His return looming, let’s be people who invite as many as we can to know Jesus!
Yes, things in this world are lining up with everything the Bible says about the last days and about the soon return of Jesus. Every missile that falls in Tel Aviv or in Tehran is another shout from the mountain top…Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming! Let’s get ready, stay ready and get others ready to go with Him when He comes! Don’t trust the news media or YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat or all the rest…trust God’s sure word. His word says in Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Jesus is coming soon!