There is a new world coming on planet Earth. It is the kingdom of God, the reign of Jesus Christ on the earth. He will be here Himself and then we will have that one world government people have been talking about, but not one of man's own invention. The ancient creeds call it "the mystery of faith - Christ has died, Christ has risen, CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN." Jesus said so Himself in numerous instances, such as in Matthew 25:31, "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne."
Some people point to the signs of perilous times, great natural disasters, insidious worldwide epidemics, environmental catastrophe. If those were the harbingers of His return, many generations of history would have qualified. Surely the epidemics and wars and holocausts of the Middle Ages would have been "the signs." No, bad times have been with mankind since he left the Garden. Speaking on this very subject, Jesus said in Matthew 24:6, "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."
Some sense a great cosmic event on the horizon as the year 2000 comes. I personally am not convinced by the number of zeroes in the year. That is merely a byproduct of the base-10 numbering system we invented.
So what do we look for as the sign of His return? Jesus gave us a clear indication in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come." We are now in a day in which the possibility of reaching the entire human race with the gospel of the kingdom has become a living reality. Because of our ability to quickly travel great distances, and the explosion of satellite-based communication of information, we live in an age of unparalleled possibilities. The Church can sit back and let the forces of darkness take control of these agencies and preach their message of "Do your own thing." Or we can seize the day.
And this is where it is necessary for the Church to rise to the occasion. Jesus is coming back for a church which has done its job. He gave us a "great commission" not a "great suggestion." He is coming back for a Bride without spot or blemish. He is coming back for a victorious church, not one that is "hanging on the ropes." He is coming back for a church full of the Holy Spirit, not one drunk on materialism and corruption. He is coming back for a church walking in signs, wonders, and miracles of supernatural power, not one walking in trendy self-help and humanistic tradition.
There is a proverb which says, "It is shameful for a son to be sleeping in harvest." WAKE UP, CHURCH! It's harvest time. Jesus said 2000 years ago that the fields are white for harvest. Let's not let the crop spoil on the vine.
What should I do, you ask? Get your heart right with God. Quit playing church games. Lay aside every encumbrance and sin. Make your body a living and holy sacrifice to God. Be no longer conformed to this present evil world. Get your mind renewed on the Word of God. Pray like you've never prayed before. Give money to missionaries. Get involved in ministering to others through your local church. Make a bold and uncompromising stand for Jesus where you live and work. As John Wesley put it in his generation, "Do all you can." If we do this, we will be "hastening the coming of the day of God."
@ copyright 1998 by Scott H. Northrup. All rights reserved.