Concerning the second coming (return) of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is such a hard thing to show mankind of it's truth that we ought to find the zeal to proclaim even more to the point of exhaustion. As a Christian it should be the every thought and purpose to identify this most factual truth to better embellish and solidify ones walk with our precious Jesus.
I have heard and attended thousands of gospel deliveries over the years that have been most revealing to me as I am sure you have too. Out of all of these lessons the ones that are the most revealing and prominent that sticks with me without escape is - of the lost. The lost are so vast in number's it's staggering to comprehend that in the body of Christ there may be an element that says, "Whats the use, we will never get to all of them in time."
Then I heard another sermon recently, a very powerful one to say the least concerning Revelation 22:20, "Come Lord Jesus." If there was ever an exhaustive proclamation on this subject it was this one from brother Jimmy Allen, for the tears I shed proved it.
To be specific of the fact of the second coming of the Christ, when He finally comes mankind will be divided into four distinct and different categories:
- Those who are indifferent to it.
- Those who will deny it.
- Those who are horrified by it
- Those who have longed for it
Now it seems to me that the first three divisions are believable seeing as how our society stands in this day and age. Have you ever thought if you were given $1,000,000,000 dollars (1 billion) in cash how you would spend it? We all have I'm sure. Lets take a short look at this hypothetical circumstance.
If a person was to give you this mass sum of money just to spend, would you take it? Of course you would. Now if he says, "You must spend it in a fashion that exhausts it in $100,000 lumps every day would you still take it? Why of course. Now if we stop and think about this for a moment and if my arithmetic is right, to spend one billion dollars at a rate of $100,000 per day, it would take you 27 years, 4 months at 26 days to spend the whole amount given you. This gives us and idea just how staggering the amount of one billion dollars really is.
Now suppose we were to convert dollars into souls being saved every day. It would take the same 27 years, 4 months and 26 days to convert one billion people to Christ if of course the population shifts were to remain constant with today's growth rate. This would simply be a wondrous piece of work there ever was wouldn't you agree? Do you realize given the fact that there are now 6 billion people in the world today that if the end of time were to come at the end of this period outlined, five sixths or 5 billion people would be condemned? Simply even more of a staggering circumstance. If the Lord were to come today you can bet that where you live most people are not going to make it, literally billions will die eternally!
Well, I said all of that to say this. What is the Lords feeling towards this and why hasn't he come yet? If we look at 2 Peter 3:9, I think we will find an answer that seems trustworthy. Apostle Peter says:
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some (or we) count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (That is He will maintain His promise of Salvation to those who love Him and serve Him and allow His will to lead their lives),
Our great God and Father is currently and ultimately being patient, concerned and loving towards the billions of lost in the world that aren't repenting. He by His grace is allowing the proper time to come to pass that He may have as many souls as possible. He is hurting and shedding His mighty tears of love all this time, waiting and waiting. I believe it is a fact that He wants every single last one of us to the point that he will wait however long it takes to have even you, maybe the last single soul He has had his eye on that you not parish in His flame. Oh Lord I praise you for your gift of Salvation by your grace through the gospel of Jesus Christ!
The 6 billion figure is going to continue to grow making the work ahead even greater every day that passes. This should be a motive for us right now to get out there and roll our sleeves up and get on with the good work of Gods business. The second coming date will be determined of course by the Father and only Him, and possibly the same determined may be dependent on how much we as the body of Christ contribute to the furtherance and growth of His kingdom. We are the eyes, hands, ears and mouthpieces that are going to make a difference.
Referring back to Revelation 22:20, "Come Lord Jesus" must mean to the person who prays of this to come, that he or she wants to be with the Savior Jesus so very badly. Not to go to Heaven just to gain eternal life or to have their body redeemed and renewed. No it means I am willing right now to leave all behind including my loved ones whether they be mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors. All of these to be with Him.
And He also says, "Surely I am coming quickly." In other words, we as non-repentant individuals are very close to being with or without Him sooner than expected for when we die a mortal death, we are at that instant when life is no more, sealed forever in His hands of eternal destiny. No more chances to repent, no more longing to be with Him. Do you believe that friends, family and brethren?
The time is at hand at this point for the fourth division of people that truly long for His coming and are convicted to it in their prayers. These special people (Titus 2:14) must live life every day by faith in complete submission to His will to the point they can visualize the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit making it no longer an invisible mystery, but a reality set before them.
What a pinnacle to reach in the Lord. I suppose if you were to look at a bible from a person of this spiritual height in Christ, you would find the pages of Revelation 21 and 22 very well worn and recited. Yes, these people are worthy in prayer waiting, and mean it when they say - "Come Lord Jesus" that they will have finally touched the heavens with the hand of God.
Are you one of these?
Are you one of these?
