It seems like everyone Altha and I know is experiencing
severe distress: physical, financial, relational. Is it possible these increased troubles are evidence the Lord is
pruning, purging, and purifying His church for His eminent return (1 Peter 4:12-13; 1 Cor.
11:31-32; Heb. 12:5-11)?
After all, isn't it the purpose of the Holy Spirit to prepare the Bride for the return of her Bridegroom? So He can present her to Christ, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish (Eph. 5:27).
If, in the end times, the love of many will grow cold (Matt.
24:12), doesn't it make sense He will do everything necessary to increase the longing of our heart for “home” and for “Him” (Phil. 1:21-23)? Is it possible the severity of our trials means His Return is near? Do you find yourself more often than you used to, looking at each other at the end of one of those hard days, and saying, “Is He coming soon”(Rev. 22:7, 20)?
After two months of chemo therapy for pancreatic cancer, a CT scan revealed that 2 spots on my liver had gotten bigger, or so it seemed. The fact is that these spots are so small that the increase could be explained by the way 2 different radiologists measure them. Regardless,
I am still receiving chemo infusions. And, I will have another CT scan
next month. If there is no further change
in these two little spots, we will assume they are not cancer, but cysts. Then, after 6 weeks of radiation therapy, we wait and
see.
But more important than revelations on a CT scan are revelations of truth I have received during this present trial, many of which are returning to me from posts I wrote in the past. For example, in August 2009, I wrote: Toward the end of his
earthly life, Jesus said “the ruler of this world is coming, and he finds
nothing in me” (John 14:0). Peter explains that Jesus is “the
lamb without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). There was not even one spot for
the devil to get a foothold in Jesus’ heart.
I do not know if I have two little spots of cancer on my liver. But what a great reminder to me that someday Jesus will return for a Bride
that is without “spot” (Eph. 5:27). And, in Christ, I am already spotless.
The hottest summer on record is causing even sensible people to wonder, ‘Has global warming arrived?’ A brand new book called, “Global Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas and the Weather of the Future,” has advanced the debate. The dry summer of 2012 is likely to spark heated discussions in the 2012 presidential race.
Should this be a hot topic for Christians? “Aren’t we called to be stewards of God’s creation?” you ask. The short answer is ‘yes.’ But the long answer must include an eternal view. Two thousand years ago Peter warned of global warming. “The present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, in which the heavens will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works burned up. Then, a new heaven and earth” (2 Pet 3:7-10, ed.).
Peter's next words are key in answering our question. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of the Lord” (2 Pet 3:11-12, ed.). Peter emphasizes issues of the heart before the environment. But that doesn't give us permission to abuse the earth while we're here. It's not ungodly to recycle!
The Mayan calendar ends on Sunday, December 23, 2012. Is that the end of the world? Harold Camping of Family Radio now proclaims the Lord's return will be on October 20, 2011! A friend of mine who is a biblical scholar says “Many of us who follow world affairs and try to be well-read in eschatology strongly believe the coming of Jesus Christ for His (true) Church is very likely to happen any day now.” How do we know the time is near for Jesus to claim His Bride?
The long answer won’t fit in this venue! But here’s the short answer: When His Bride is ready (Rev. 19:7); when she is spotless (Eph. 5:27; 1 Pet. 3:14); when she loves Him passionately and longs to be with Him (John 17:26; Sng. of Sol. 4:9). A primary role of the Holy Spirit is to prepare the Bride for Jesus' return.
What kind of bride do you think the Spirit wants to present to Jesus on that day? One who is halfhearted, lukewarm, ambivalent? My friends, we are being prepared for the marriage supper (Rev. 19:9). But will He return to a Bride whose heart does not cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus…."? (1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:17, 20)
