Monday, October 10, 2005

it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep

Habakkuk 2:3 "For [the] vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late."

My friends if you've been reading this blog or my previous one for any length of time you may have noticed a change in focus. This in many ways reflects the changes that I've been going through some big, some small. On an individual level I still enjoy many of the same things I've always enjoyed, such as making music; however these things have taken somewhat of a backseat to my primary focus - the Kingdom of God.

I hope I'm not coming across and haughty or arrogant or "holier than thou". Please understand that I cannot stop speaking about these things. (Acts 4:20) Jehovah has blessed me in so many ways and I'm just trying to do all that I possibly can to make good on that. This is something that weighs on me because it is a heavy responsibility. Particularly in view of times and the work that needs to be done. The end is coming quickly. I firmly believe that "the time left is reduced." (1 Corinthians 7:29)

Let's consider 2 Peter 3:3,4. "3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”"

Certainly that scripture applies to the world in general. However there are elements of that mentality today within the congregation. Sone assume that all things are continuing just the same since 1914 when it is believed that Christ's presence began. They are failing to look out and see that things are not the same. That the foretold wars, famine, pestilences, earthquakes that we are experience now or that are on the horizon will dwarf anything we have seen in the past. Indeed it is already the hour for us to wake up! (Romans 13:11-12)

But when we see these things occuring - more frequently, more devastating - there are some things to keep in mind. Jesus likens these events to labor pangs. (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Labor pangs build toward the birth of child. When the pangs increase and become closer to together we know that the time for the blessed event to occur. Therefore we see these things taking place more and more we know we are getting closer to the end. Things are not the same now as the were in the 1990's which are not the same as they were in the 1950's which are not the same as they were in the 1900's.

Once again I can only encourage all to build faith and love now. Read the Bible daily. When reading the Bible pray for Jehovah's holy spirit to help you. Learn to trust and rely on Jehovah. Keep on the watch. Wake up and stay awake.

"11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore put off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:11-14)

Christian Love,