Good Friday morning! Snow? I didn't hear anything about snow on the weather report. We did wake up to just a light covering of snow this morning, but nothing serous. The serious is due to arrive on Monday or Tuesday. The message from the weather folks this morning goes something like: a major winter storm is increasingly likely... I like that 'increasingly likely', we have the same message for folks everywhere. It is increasingly likely that Jesus will return soon. Not one of us can say it is this day or it is that day, but we know He is coming soon. Thinking about the end will frighten many, but Jesus would remind us that the end is about God's love.
That last seems to be rather remarkable given all the prophecies of dragons and beasts, violence and persecution, and then the earthquakes, famines, wars, hail, sores, darkness, cold, and on it goes. Where does God's love come into all of that? Where did God's love show while Jesus hung on the cross in pain? Jesus confirmed to Pilate that his kingdom was not of this earth. God loves us enough to set aside a kingdom that will come at the appointed hour. Jesus even revealed to John some of the wonderful things about this coming kingdom. Jesus also asked His Father in Heaven to forgive those who crucified him. It takes a powerful love to forgive a bunch of folks performing your own execution in a ghastly and painful manner. Jesus also looked down and made sure that his earthly mother, Mary, was taken care of even as he was dying on the cross. What kind of man would love enough to remember the welfare of others during his own execution? Jesus did! We can be rest assured that in the middle of the world's execution, God will look down and remember the welfare of those who love Him.
Again, that last may seem a stretch to believe. However, the same book that speaks of the horrors of the end times also speaks about God's reaching out in those times. We have 2 special witnesses in Jerusalem who are given great authority to speak for 42 months. These two witnesses will speak about Jesus, salvation, grace, baptism, joy, peace, and the kingdom to come. And, God has given them special protection for this time of ministry; no one will be able to harm them until God lifts His protection at the appointed time. Who appoints that time? God does! Another group of witnesses will go out 144,000 strong to reap a mighty soul harvest. The people who believe in Jesus from this witness are known as the Tribulation saints and they are given a special place before God. The 144,000 witnesses also have protection during their witness. While the saints will suffer persecution and execution in the Tribulation, God has given them eternity with Jesus in His great love.
Violent and horrible though the Tribulation seems, I'm am sure that not one of those Tribulation saints would trade their salvation for the alternative. If God's love is so great though, why a Tribulation at all? Some folks need an attention getter to realize that Jesus is asking them a question. Do you believe in Me or do you love this world? Many of us have come to believe in Jesus and have surrendered our lives to Him only after suffering some accident, war, earthquake, or other personal disaster. God used the evil chances of this world to get our attention. In the end times, God will put forth His might to get the attention of the world. In a backwards way, we can read in Revelation that everyone will know who is sending the judgments against the world. We read how those who have chosen the world and its beast will shake their fists and blaspheme God in the midst of their suffering in the last 7 judgments. After this show of hatred comes the Son and His reward for the faithful.
In the final chapters of the Bible, Heaven comes down to earth in the new Jerusalem. God, Jesus, and the Spirit will make their home with man on the new Earth. Sin will be banished; pain and suffering gone and yes, at the end of this story, His story, we live happily ever after.
There is Revelation in a nutshell, hope you enjoyed the ride!
Bucky
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