THE DAY OF THE LORD

The LORD is coming back SOON!

I know you’re probably saying: ‘Yeah, yeah, I've heard that for years; but He hasn't come yet! In all reality, you should be glad that Jesus hasn't come yet. If you’re NOT ready for the day of the Lord-- it won’t be a good day for you! You must be prepared for His coming for three reasons:

1.  The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night [1 Thessalonians 5:2].
2.  No man knows the day or the hour [Matthew 24:36.
3. You’re going to die one day, be judged and have an eternal destiny [Hebrews 9:27].

The Day of the Lord

Have you ever had anyone break into your home or steal your car?  I’m sure it was a total surprise and not a pleasant one. The day of the Lord will be totally unexpected for the world. Those, who believe in Jesus, will be pleasantly surprised as they are awaiting His return even now. Those, who don’t believe or haven’t made a decision for Christ, will also be surprised—but with great regret; because procrastination is a thief. Now’s the day and accepted time to make a decision for Christ. He made a supreme sacrifice for mankind over 2,000 years ago on Mount Calvary. Scripture puts it this way: “Today, if you hear his voice, do no harden your hearts as in the rebellion [Hebrews 4:15].” We were born in sin, but God didn't want us to stay that way, so He gave His Son for us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For, God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God [John 3:16-18_ESV].”

No One Knows the Day or Hour

We never know, when something unexpected is going to happen: because it’s just that: UNEXPECTED! There are events that can be a surprise to you; but they have been planned by others for you [e.g. birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, surprise baby showers, etc.]. The day of the Lord is unlike these events; because God is the only one who knows 'when.' “But concerning the day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only [Matthew 24:36_ESV].” Perhaps, you ask: ‘Why doesn’t God want us to know, when Jesus is to return? God is looking for ‘faithfulness’ in those who will be with Him for eternity. Receiving the sacrifice of His Son and believing in Him as Lord and Savior should be done out of love—not fear or to get fire insurance from hell.

Accepting Christ, being reborn or receiving salvation-- is personal. It is one person’s relationship with Jesus and has nothing to do with anyone else. How do you feel, when you know someone really loves you? It’s not only because they tell you; but they also show you in tangible ways! This is what God did, when He gave His Son to die for the sins of mankind.  Because, Jesus loves the Father, He submitted to His Father’s will. It was a bitter cup to take, but Jesus chose to drink it, because He was looking at the outcome. Through His death, burial and resurrection, He redeemed man from the curse of the law. “Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself [Galatians 3:13_MESS].”  The devil thought he had won his war against this species created by God. Unfortunately, he lost his position and residence in heaven after rebelling against God. He and one-third of the heavenly host were cast out of heaven; and the devil has been God's enemy since that time. He is also angry, because God created man; therefore his mission has been to destroy man since Eden [Genesis 2]. Mankind had a great sin-debt that could not possibly be paid under the law and so God sent His Son to earth to be born of a virgin. Jesus left His Father’s side to fulfill prophesies [Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 53].

When Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary, He took the sins of mankind; and in God’s sight—He 'was' sin. During the agonizing hours Jesus hung on the cross, His Father couldn't look at Him. It seemed to Jesus that God had forsaken Him, yet Jesus knew He had complete His redemptive work for us. While, we wait for the Day of the Lord  [the return of Christ]; God wants to give each and every man, woman and child the opportunity to accept His Son as Lord and Savior. Many will accept Jesus; but others will not. When He comes back; every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Now, we bow to Him of our own freewill; but one day those, who reject Christ will bow; because they will no longer be able to deny Jesus is the Christ! “Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: ‘As I live and breathe,’ God says, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God [Romans 10-12_MESS].”    

The Appointment of Death

God didn't create us to exist in these houses of clay (our bodies) forever. “Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences [Hebrews 9:27_MESS].” Like the hairs on our heads, our days on this earth are numbered. Some people die young, because of bad decisions and sinful living; some die due to sickness and disease and some die for the cause of Christ. There are martyrs—even today. No matter the cause or reason, death is one appointment we will all keep. Although, death is inevitable, we must not be preoccupied with dying; but rather, we must live our lives in a way that glorifies God. If you live to honor God; you will not fear death.

Some people are afraid of dying for many reasons. The most common is—not knowing what death is like. Is it painful? Will you hear music or see angels? It is more common for those, who are not believers in God and saved by the blood of Jesus to have reservations and fear about death and dying. There are some, who currently don’t seem to care if they go to hell. This is spiritual ignorance. Anyone, who knows about hell, Hades, or  Sheol— knows that it is a damnable and evil place that you wouldn't want for your worst enemy! Yet, how many times do people in anger tell others in anger: "GO to hell!" When, it comes to one’s eternal destiny—ignorance is not bliss! Believers in Christ don’t fear death, because they know that ‘to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord’ [2 Corinthians 5:8]. “We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.”[2 Corinthians 5:10]

God loves you and that’s why He gave His only Begotten Son to die for and redeem you back to Himself.  He cares about your eternal destiny. Although, He made a great investment in your future—He has given you the freewill to choose heaven or hell; because God never sends anyone to hell. People go to hell because of their rejection of Jesus Christ. After all He gave for mankind; rejection of His sacrifice is a great sin and a sure ticket to eternal damnation. “Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change [2 Peter 3:8-9].”

God doesn’t want any of us to accept His Son for ‘fire insurance;’ but for blessed assurance! God loves you with an undying love and He proved it, so you wouldn't have to die spiritually and endure an eternity without Him. I invite you to accept Jesus right now [see prayer below]:

PRAYER: "Heavenly Father, I ADMIT I am a sinner. I BELIEVE that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for my sins and that You raised Him from the dead. I ask You Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord of my life according to Romans 10:9-10. Jesus, I CONFESS You as my Lord and Savior and receive Your salvation, In Your Name. Amen. Thank you Jesus for saving me!

If you prayed this prayer: welcome to the family of God. You are no longer a sinner, but have been made righteous in Christ Jesus [2 Corinthians 5:21]. Ask God to help you find a good Bible-believing church and start reading God's Word for yourself [the Gospel of John], so you can learn more about God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit to become a stronger Christian. I look forward to the day of the Lord and seeing ‘you’ in heaven. I can’t wait to see Jesus and meet you! If you have questions, before you get planted into your new church home, feel free to leave them along with any comments-- at the end of this blog. 

 The PEACE of Jesus be upon you!