From June 16th and a message entitled -“The Lion has roared – who will prophesy?” from Amos 3:7-8, – we are in no doubt of the importance to understand what it is to be a church for the end times! We have brought teaching about having ‘firm foundations’ and also continue our discipleship teaching in preparing disciples for the days ahead.
This is not to be fearful. Those who belong to Christ understand the hour and the state of the world, including its immorality, sociological problems, environmental issues, lack of sense and a host of more that are covered in Apostle Paul’s writings! But, the call of the Lord is to prepare the Church – the Bride for the return of Christ.
In Matthew 25, we see the parable of the 10 virgins – virgin being ‘one’ who is betrothed in marriage. Upon the bridegroom coming at an unknown hour, only 5 of the virgins were taken, counted as being ready. They were ‘blessed’ as they had ‘oil in their jars’ and looking forward to His return. They had obeyed the voice of their Lord. The church at this time needs to be preaching the truth at this hour, getting dressed in the appropriate garments and praying and fasting! Not concerned with temporal things of earth but faith to believe in the things unseen and that are to come. If you obey the commands of God you are a ‘blessed’ people. If you disobey, (we see in Deuteronomy 28 verse 15(ESV)), you bring a ‘curse’ upon yourself. It is yourself that brings a curse – your choice to disobey. The 5 wise virgins obeyed the Word and instruction of the Lord and were truly blessed to be taken and into safety from the trial coming on earth. The 5 foolish virgins – churches – brought upon themselves a curse, which was to be left behind.
God’s fulfilment of all scripture is around the corner and we see His anger in Zephaniah 1:15(ESV) – 15 And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. God is speaking and the world is undergoing ‘shaking’ as prophesied in Haggai 2:6-7. Throughout Zephaniah chapter 1, The Lord is showing us the distress and darkness that is coming to the world. From verse 17 and 18 we read:- 17 I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the Lord;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. Wow. Some prophesy. But in Zephaniah 2(ESV), there is a call to humble oneself, for ALL nations to repent, to gather the people before this day of wrath on the earth and God’s punishment. And from verse 3 – let us read:-3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who do his just commands;
seek righteousness; seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden
on the day of the anger of the Lord. There is a promise here. That if you ‘obey’ and do His commands. seek righteousness and humility, you may be ‘hidden’ on that day of wrath of the Lord. Hidden in Hebrew here means to be ‘covered’ protected’ and in safety. The 5 wise virgins were taken into safety, hidden and protected from the wrath of God. The foolish were not.
The Church of Christ needs to pay attention. We need to love Jesus with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and be doing His Will. The church is to be preaching and teaching the truth in these days. We need to remain humble and strong in the Lord as the days grow darker. But as these things start to happen, we do not fear, we do as Jesus says in Luke 21 verse 28:(ESV)- 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
We will be ready. We will have oil in our lamps and our lamps be burning bright for when the Lord comes like a thief in the night to ‘snatch’ away His true Beloved Church. Amen!
