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Weekly Devotional: Exponential unfolding of Bible prophecy




“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2)

How do we come before the presence of Christ?

Should we come with a fake humility and words? Should we come only when we are downtrodden and feeling hopeless? Do we attend His house on special occasions only? Perhaps we only go when a relative is baptized or a converted friend is to share their testimony? Should we not rather enjoy His presence at all times?

We are wrapping up on the times of casual Christianity. It is about to cost us something more than what we’ve been used to paying. The hour is late, and the need is desperate.

Playing church or pretend Christianity without possession of the authentic goods might lead some of us to more trouble than we can deal with. Make no mistake about it, the wheat and the tares will be separated when the fires of persecution begin to burn.

America is no more immune from Christian persecution than any other nation on Earth. According to Christ, family members will turn on their brothers and sisters in exchange for another day in this wretched world. Others will sell their own soul for a few more days or maybe a couple of years.

The neighboring countries in the Middle East are setting up for extreme assaults on the Jewish people. As sad as it is, Afghanistan, according to Bible prophecy, had to fall. It is one of the nations of the Middle Eastern coalition surrounding Israel. Pray as we will, believe and hope earnestly, but prophecy will play out.

It was President Franklin Roosevelt who said, “We cannot change horses in midstream.” Neither can we, nor will God, shove our world into reverse while it is moving forward right on schedule.

None of the current day events have taken the Lord by surprise. The God of the Bible is much more Holy than the modern-day Christian gives Him credit for. When He declared He would once and for all put the enemy under His feet, He meant that. When He predetermined to bring an end to sin and unrighteousness, He meant that too.

Too many believers in this hour are longing for a utopia on this earth without the transforming fires of renovation. The Lord in His foreknowledge knew that one day this beautiful earth that He created would have to suffer under extreme anguish to bring forth His ultimate purpose. That is, an earth where only the righteous will dwell, and the only government will be Christ reigning in full authority. Many desire this day to come, just not in their lifetime.

We have not fully surrendered to the God of the Bible until we surrender all of our hopes to Him, including our future hopes for this world. We may desire an ideal environment for our children or grandchildren, but how much more ideal is the new Heaven and the new Earth? Friend, it does not get better than that! Having this knowledge should convert the wavering soul to get in with God with all they have.

The lukewarm believer, as stated in scripture, is unacceptable to Christ.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1)

Sue West is available to speak at churches and home Bible Study groups. Contact her at preacher_west@yahoo.com.sg

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