Christ's Coming and Commands

Christ’s Coming and Commands

If last year is any indication, 2009 promises to be an intriguing year for those of us who are tuned in to biblical prophecy and are eagerly awaiting Christ’s return. When you see what’s happening in the news, you can’t help but wonder, “How long, oh Lord?”

You can hardly turn on the History Channel, National Geographic Channel or pick up a news magazine without seeing a documentary or story on the claims of the Bible in relation to world events. The Bible makes more sense, even to the naysayers, with each year that passes. The potential of the real, literal fulfillment of predictions concerning the end of time as we know it becomes more plausible with every major political event, catastrophic disaster and technological advance.

What John experiences is not unlike what we can expect with the sudden, abrupt snatching away of the church from planet earth. It’s commonly known as “The Rapture,” though you won’t find that term in the Bible. Rest assured; it is going to happen. On second thought, don’t rest. Resolve to make a difference for Christ by preparing the way for His return! Live your life like He could come today. While you have time to make a difference, make a difference.

Jesus never told us when He is coming, but He spends much of His Word telling us what kind of people we ought to be in the meantime. Our lives must be lived in a balance between the reality of His return and the possibility that we have plenty of time to accomplish His work on earth.

Those who focus too much on His return tend not to be as effective in carrying out humanitarian efforts that demonstrate care for “the least of these,” as Jesus commanded. However, discounting or ignoring the imminent return of Christ can lead to “Christian” institutions and individuals that become totally absorbed with social needs and issues. They become man-centered rather than God-centered. Healthy churches and healthy Christians have this dual focus: His coming and His commands.

So, we resolve as a church to seek to strike that important balance. We will talk, teach, pray and warn about Jesus’ return, but we will also seek to reach out, meet needs and provide help in Jesus’ name and in very tangible ways, Lord willing (and I believe He is!).

It is an exciting time to be a servant of Christ on planet earth. It’s a thrilling time to be a part of Living Oaks Community Church. If you haven’t done so already, resolve to check out our many LOCC programs and resources for children and adults.

This Sunday we being our 5-week study in 2 Peter. Fallen angels, false teachers, flagrant immorality and faithless scoffers; Sound a bit like what’s out there today? These were rampant in Peter’s day and he saw them as reminders of the last days. One commentator put it this way: “within the epistle [Peter] focused primarily on how to live when surrounded by the problems and perplexities of the end time.”

August 1: Faith to Face Last Things (Part 1—Obtaining the Faith) 1:1-4
August 8: Faith to Face Last Things (Part 2—Growing in the Faith) 1:5-15
August 15: Faith to See Last Things 1:16-21
August 22: Fake Faith and Last Things Chap. 2
August 29: Last Things and You Chap. 3

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is…not willing that any should perish.” ─2 Peter 3:9 NKJV