Jesus has come in on Palm Sunday. The plot against him is in the works and Jesus knows all about it. For the disciples, seeing the sights in Jerusalem is a big deal. Jews who lived in the provinces probably only came to Jerusalem for feast days so they would be amazed at things like the temple. Herod the Great built it. He was brilliant in many ways. The disciples bragged on the structures they were seeing much like we do the marvels of man today. Jesus cautioned them not to take too much stock in them because it would all come down. He tells us not to get too caught up in this world because he will come in the clouds and things will change. Don’t let the world prevent you from being ready. Rather Jesus says to lift up our head; redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
We notice this time of year how brief the days seem. If you get up fairly early it will be before daylight. Then it’s dark before supper. It’s low light even at noon this time of year. This tells us some things: Thanksgiving is coming. The end of the year is close. 2019 is numbered. Even if we take the battery from the clock, time will still go on. The only sure timepiece is God’s Word. Our watches of the world say things are just beginning. Don’t be concerned about right and wrong. However, what we see is that the U.S. is falling apart. The very documents that identify us are being pulled apart. It’s the end of our nation as we know it and a collapse of the current world system is going to happen. We know this because after the rapture there will be a one world government ruled by the Anti-Christ. The Holy Spirit is the only one holding it back now.
For 10 ½ months we’ve held 2019 but at midnight on December 31 we’ll go into 2020, ready or not. That’s the way the rapture will be. The signs are evident around us. When we see them we’re to lift up our heads. The end is so close. Signs are so clear yet the average Christian is not looking up. God has been so gracious and merciful that people think it won’t ever be otherwise. We experience his blessings. But we’ve seen the end of a life that is lost without God; we know what that brings: death and destruction. What is the sum of the matter? God is right and man is wrong. Things are out of whack. Nothing is acting right. But we know God is working. Sin and wickedness will be judged. Every single person who trusts Jesus will be caught up and will escape the wrath to come. If we’re still here in 2020, we’ll just be closer to the end.
It will be nice to be in heaven. There are promises of God to the evil who defy God. They choose to disbelieve. They are enemies of all that is good. Payday is coming soon. For everyone who trusts God, holding fast and looking up, he will be caught up. Jesus said when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads. YOUR head. It’s for Christians of all ages but it is for YOU. It’s personal. It is worth it to serve the Lord a little longer. Satan targets us but Jesus loves us and has promised to take the church out at his coming. The rapture will be MY rapture. It will be YOUR rapture. And we’ll have a glorified body and wear a white robe in gloryland.
Realize the times and seasons. When we see things of the Bible come to pass, look up. Take courage. Don’t let things get you down. Keep holding the blood stained banner and looking up. Put it in “passing gear” and keep on going. The change may be breaths away. It may be years away. We don’t know, but the time will come. We will receive the end of our faith and enter the gates of glory.
Where are you looking? If your head in the sand? Lift it up. Look up and one day you’ll see Jesus coming in the clouds.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 