Forsyth Park Caller March 2024
“Are We There Yet?”
I pastored a small country church in Somerset, Virginia-about half an
hour from Charlottesville-a while back, and one time we had Gordon
Jensen come and sing. One song he had written, “Written in Red” is
beautiful; “I Should Have Been Crucified” touches your heart; but
another may tell the story of today-“Redemption Draweth Nigh”.
The chorus goes-“Keep your eyes upon the Eastern sky ; Lift up your
head-redemption draweth nigh.”
Are we at the end times? Are we there yet?
Jesus said in Matthew 24-“Many will come in My name, saying “I am
the Christ”, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and
rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must
come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,,
and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrow.
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be
hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be
offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many
false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness
will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the
end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in
all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Jesus goes on to talk about the abomination of desolation (in the 3 rd
temple by the Antichrist); in v21 the Great Tribulation; and over in v 29-
31 the Second Coming.
Look at the world of the last few years. There have been people like
David Koresh of Waco and Jim Jones and his followers in Guyana-false
Christs who led people to their deaths. I am sure there are others even
now leading people astray. Wars and rumors of wars? The Ezekiel war
in chapters 38 and 39 is on our doorstep. Israel recently gave Ukraine
defensive weapons to use against Russia. Now not only do the Moslems
hate the Jews (and the situation in Gaza isn’t helping that), but now the
Russians have another reason to hate the Jews. Watch how Iran and
Russia work together. In Ezekiel, Russia and the Moslem countries will
attack Israel. It won’t be long. And if you watch NATO and Russia;
China and Taiwan; China in South America; other conflicts around the
world-it won’t be long.
Many in the world are starving to death due to famine-we just don’t
hear much about it. Pestilences? Can you say covid? What disease is
coming next? We have certainly had earthquakes. May just be a matter
of time until California is devastated.
What about the persecution of Christians? That has been going on since
Jesus. But here in the U.S. it has gotten much, much worse. All around
us, there are counter-Christian ideas and thoughts capturing our younger
people, taking them away from the values you and I grew up with and
love. There seems to be more division between groups and more hate
than ever. You suppose it’s because fewer believe in Jesus?
With internet everywhere and cell phones in every pocket, the chance
for the Gospel to be spread is greater than ever before. As the Bible is
translated into native tongues, people will have little excuse left to turn
their back on Jesus-but many will.
No one knows the hour when the Rapture will happen. Will we still be
here when the Ezekiel war happens? Probably. But as Matthew 24 says
in v 36-44, the Rapture is coming. No more signs are needed. Nothing
has to happen. We may be going to Heaven-but those “left behind” will
have to endure the Tribulation and hell on Earth.
Signs of the times are everywhere. Just look around. We are in
the Age of Grace-God is giving man a little more time to decide to
accept Jesus-but time is running out.
If you have family that are lost, pray for them. And ask God to give
you opportunities to talk to them. Where did the first flower-the first
tree-the first anything come from-they came from our Creator God. The
Bible tells the story of Jesus from cover to cover. God is real. His Son is
real. And the way to salvation is real. Help people understand-because
satan is causing confusion. He is blinding the eyes of people. And the
hearts of the people are growing cold.
The time is coming for us when we see our Jesus face to face. But for
unbelievers, time is running out to ever see the glory of heaven-and yes,
hell is a very real place, full of fire and brimstone; an eternity of
suffering and pain that never stops; and also an eternity apart from God.
May we not get caught up in the day to day things of the world. Keep
your eyes on the big picture. Keep looking to that eastern sky from
where Jesus will come. Be ready-to keep from getting ready. Yes, ask
God to help you win souls to Christ-especially those you know and love.
Chuckles
What was Moses’ wife, Zipphora, known as when she’d throw dinner
parties? (The hostess with the Moses)
What did Adam say was his favorite holiday? (It’s Christmas, Eve)
What nursery song would Jesus have heard the most? (Mary had a little
lamb)
What did Daniel tell his real estate agent? (I’d prefer a house with no
den)
Who in the Bible knew the most people? (Abraham knew a Lot)
Which Bible character was the best musician? (Samson-he brought the
house down!)
When someone needed a boat made, what did the people in town say?
(We Noah guy)
How do pastors like their orange juice? (with pulp-it)