Are We There Yet?
Things are getting rough for the born-again believer. The world is getting darker, and the times are becoming more perilous. Apostasy is rampant, and the fake churches are starting to reveal a more sinister atmosphere to the true followers of Jesus Christ.
Ok let’s take a moment and breathe!
Some might read what I just said and roll their eyes; others might be shaking in fear, seeing the reality of the times growing darker. This post is for both groups. Jesus makes a declaration that should be sobering for some and comforting for others.
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.” Amen.
For those who are not actively living for the Lord, who claim to be believers, who claim to be followers of Jesus, they should be very worried about Jesus’ declaration. Jesus orders the born-again believer to be active and do the work of the Lord. Teaching Scripture, making disciples, and baptizing in the Trinity’s identity. This group is not doing this; rather, at best, they go to church and walk out acting the same foolish way they did the day before. This group should be cautious, for God is a God who is actively in the Church. See Revelation chapters 2 through 3. He is there with them; He is keeping His promise of being with the Church through the end of the age. Jesus is making the corrections; He is providing the warnings for them to change before it is too late. This isn’t works for salvation; this is getting right with God before it is too late. For this group, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” should be terrifying.
Now, for the believer living for the Lord and seeking to do what is right, the exact declarations and references in Revelation 2 through 3 are a huge encouragement! Jesus is with us, even as we see the world get darker and the apostasy grow. Around the world, the Church has been persecuted; I believe it is about to start in the United States. The good news: Jesus designed the Church to flourish in such a time. The Church, at its core, in its very nature, thrives when persecuted. This is when we are at our best!
There might be someone who believes I am looking forward to such a day; the answer is no. However, I know what scripture says, and I know what my loving Savior Jesus Christ has promised. He is with us, even to the end of the age. There will never be a day that we will be able to say that Jesus is no longer with us. There will never be a day that the born-again believer will be forsaken. This is our comfort, this is our promise, and finally this is our calling! Finish strong, don’t give up, and be actively looking for ways to serve the Lord. We still have work to do, to the very last second.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL