"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." -Hosea 4:6
As May 21 approaches more and more people are getting involved; I came upon a recent article that says that atheists are planning 'Rapture parties' to 'poke a little fun' at what Harold Camping said would happen tomorrow. I imagine that many of our brothers and sisters who are not as grounded in the Word would probably be thrown into confusion.
Before reading more, please go back to my previous post concerning this topic, 'May 21?'. By God's grace, somebody reached out to me and I needed to make a correction. You'll see it in the form of a blog comment.
Here is the truth for all to hear.
It is written, "But as for that day or hour no one knows it - neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son - except the Father. Watch out! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13:32-33)
There are three points that need to be stressed and communicated here:
WE CANNOT KNOW THE EXACT DAY AND HOUR.
It is simply beyond our capabilities as humans to determine the precise time of Jesus Christ's Second Coming. Might I reiterate, the fact that there were assumptions made in Harold Camping's formula makes it plausible.
It is written that we were made lower than the angels, as Jesus was for a little while (Hebrews 2:7). Jesus Christ said even the angels don't know the day or the hour of His return - we would do better to focus on what we can know.
ONLY GOD THE FATHER KNOWS THE DAY AND HOUR.
It is written: "Indeed, My plans are not like your plans, and My deeds are not like your deeds, for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans." -Isaiah 55:8-9
The measure of God's knowledge and wisdom goes far beyond the most creative of human imaginations. He sees what we do not; He knows what we can not. The knowledge of the day and hour stays only with Him, and the only time we will know is when it happens.
Therefore,
ALL WE CAN DO IS TO BE READY.
"It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves in charge, assigning to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert.
Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return - whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn - or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly.
What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay alert!"
-Mark 13:34-37
The sense of urgency I wish to exude in this article does not come from the fact that May 21 is closing in. Let me be perfectly clear in saying this: Jesus Christ may or may not come back for us tomorrow. It could even happen later today, or for years to come. We don't know and we cannot know. Only God knows the exact day and hour.
It's just that the signs are here.
There are conflicts in the Middle East, and there are the rumors of wars all over the rest of the world for the advantage of the possession of oil.
I know of at least one man who claims to be the appointed son of God (and on a side note I pray and declare with all sincerity that his eyes see the truth and he responds to His Will). More and more people are hearing all sorts of false doctrine.
There are earthquakes and floods happening all around us.
We may not know the exact time, but I'm joining the rest of the body of Christ in saying that He is coming soon, and very soon.
But they've been saying that for so long!
Then praise God because there's been so much time to testify to the world.
There is a God. His Son is Jesus Christ. He came down to live as one of us, and died the most painful and shameful death to serve as a sacrifice for all of our sins to be forgiven. A gift has been presented to us - the gift of salvation and redemption from hell and eternal punishment, a way to God the Father.
We can't have a gift unless we accept it. We can't have a relationship with God unless we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
In the end, you will be placed before the throne of God, and He will say one of two things: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34) or "Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!" (25:41).
There is no other way to salvation besides Jesus Christ. Joining a church doesn't save you. Being good doesn't save you. Not believing in it and focusing on other things does not exempt you. What matters in the end is your relationship with God, and how you took the gift of Jesus Christ.
My friends, I love you all with the love I know through Jesus Christ. I would not tell you anything that would harm you. I implore you, make the right choice today. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
"...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
-Romans 10:9
True knowledge comes only from Him. True purpose comes only from Him. True life comes only from Him.
Praise God. To Him be all the glory and honor.