We are looking Up to Him; rather we need to look as Down from Him
GOD is waiting for us to be in His presence (see post “Who is Luke Warm?”), to take in His message, and to walk in His ways.
GOD is waiting for us. Are we waiting on Him? Are we mindful of Him… or are we paying more attention to signs?
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) When Jesus said this, he was referring to provision, but the preface is the same: do not worry about the future.
In my own reflective time, I have come to realise:
We are looking from the wrong direction. We need to take GOD’s perspective from above and we will see: we are IN the tribulation.… Personally, I reckon we may as well stop looking for signs.
We must not try to fit the times into our theological perspective of End Times. Many of us have a viewpoint, but it is not Gospel and it is unconfirmed. Whether we are going to be raptured as the church before the Tribulation, or whether Jesus is going to come for his bride before or after Satan is bound, how do we know? When asked, Jesus himself said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
And if we must look, let us see:
Today, those who are persecuted are 80% Christian. In 2015, the beheadings in Libya were persecution just as it speaks of the beheaded martyrs in Revelation 21. Eschatology is interesting but we are waiting for events to fit into our boxes rather than having eyes open to what is happening? We are living IN the End Times, Now. Well, it sure looks like it.
End Times: So, what will we do about it?
Irrespective of when we are in the timeline of GOD, we are to prepare as His bride.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” (Matthew 10:1)
The most prepared Biblical bride was Esther. Esther oiled, pampered, waited for a year. She waited and then, of all the women, she was chosen.
“Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.” (Esther 2:12)
What does oil symbolise?
“The oil of gladness…” (Hebrews 1:9) comes from GOD. Oil is mentioned in virtually every book of the Bible. We need the oil of joy: the oil of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Let us wait on Yehovah, and fill our lamps with the oil of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let us fill our hearts and minds with the Word of GOD and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This is our duty and our calling.
Yehovah be praised! And may we all live in His shalom as we wait on Him and for Him.