Redeeming the Time Because the Days Are Evil - Part 944

"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17) And, "what if God, willing to show wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction ... that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory." (Romans 9:22-23)

This is why -- "of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (I Thessalonians 5:1-2)

"The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (II Peter 3:10-11)

Indeed, Jesus told the disciples (and us too -- when the disciples came unto Him privately) asking, "Tell us, when shall these things be? And what [shall be] the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:1-3) 

What did Jesus say? "Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:4-8)

Furthermore, when the powers that be shall say, "Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." But we are not of the night, nor of darkness that that day should overtake us as a thief. (I Thessalonians 5:1-3, 8)

"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day, therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." (I Thessalonians 5:4-7; Ephesians 5:8)

Let us also (who are of the day), be sober and "vigilant, because your adversary, the devil as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8) We are also advised to watch too, praying always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, knowing that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (Luke 21:31-36)

What does all this mean? We are to focus our heart, mind, soul and strength on the Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- for He is our refuge in times of trouble. Similarly, don't be choked by the cares of this world because at the end of the day, these will not matter. (Mark 4:19) 

Rather, in being both sober and vigilant, put "on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation ... for God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us that (whether we wake or sleep) we should live together with Him." (I Thessalonians 5:4-10)

"Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves ... warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

Moreover, rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [And] quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it." (I Thessalonians 5:11-28)

And know always, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that "if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:17-19)

Therefore, be willing and joyful ambassadors for Christ. In so doing, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Stand in the offering plate.