LOOK UP!

LOOK UP!

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption (deliverance) draws near."   Luke 21:28

            If you watched the news lately you have to see that this old world is in a sad state of affairs.  First the fighting going on between Israel and Hamas; then Russia and Ukraine; deadly diseases like Ebola and terrible floods and fires.  Television is so moral degrading you wondered how it could be worse, until they have announced a new program showing nude people.  Reading the above scripture makes sense, but lets read the previous verses 25-27, “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

            Some think I write about ‘End Times’ just to scare people, or because I like doing this. Actually, I write about it because it is made very clear in the Word of God that when we see these things happening, we better not only get our own lives in order, but should be bringing others into the Kingdom of God.  This is done in different ways; showing God’s love to others, praying with them, sharing the Bible with them, feeding, clothing and housing them if we can.  The blogs I write every week are written for the Believers, who need reminding as well as myself, of why we should be about our Father’s business. 

            I believe with all my heart we are living in the ‘last days’.  This doesn’t mean it will happen tomorrow or next week, but it could happen any time.  That’s why we are told to ‘look up’!  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”  [Mark 13:32-33]  Notice this scripture, among others, says ‘Watch’.  What does that mean?  It means to watch for Jesus’ appearing and to “Look Up”.

            We all know a time will come called “The Great Tribulation”.  I love the following scripture when Jesus said in Luke 21:36, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  It’s kind of like Jesus saying, “It’s time to get out of Dodge, so follow me.”   And just like that we’ll be gone!

            If you are reading this you are probably a Christian and believe in Jesus as your Savior.  What are you going to do about Jesus?  Are you going to keep him all to yourself, or are you going to step out of your comfort zone and share Him with others?  It reminds me of one of my favorite TV shows, “Love it or List it.”  It begins with a family who think they need a better or bigger house, so designers come in to see if they can help them be more comfortable in their present home.  A real-estate agent comes in and shows them bigger and better houses.  Now they have to make a choice to stay where they are in their up-graded home, or to list it and buy a new one.  This is kind of like being a Christian; we get comfortable where we are and don’t want to change our life.  We’re afraid to step out of our comfort zone and wonder what it will cost us.

            Some feel it may cost us friendships to follow the Lord; I experienced that myself when I became a believer.  My friends thought I was crazy and I thought they were lost, so we parted ways.  Since that time I have made uncountable friends of the most amazing people; who laugh with me, love me and pray with me.  I am blessed. 

            Many years ago I had a dream that I never forgot.  I dreamed I heard a loud shout and I began to rise into the sky. I looked down and saw a relative standing on a hill waving good-by to me; I called to her to ask Jesus into her heart and she could come with us.  She shook her head ‘no’ and walked back down the hill.  All my family were with me and we were going very, very fast, but could not feel the wind or air.  There was more of the dream, but this part of it has haunted me over the years, because of my relative not wanting to spend eternity with Jesus.

            It is a fact that not everyone will go with Jesus when he comes for us.  If you aren’t ready in your heart, he won’t take you.  I know this seems harsh, but it’s what the Bible tells.  Read these words from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

            When it says ‘the dead in Christ’, it means the believers who have already died and those still alive are the believers still living.  Friends, if you haven’t already asked Jesus to forgive your sins and invited him to live in your heart, now is the time!  You will never be sorry you did.

            Read Mathew chapter 24 and it will show you many of the things that are happening in the world today.  Then Look Up, your redemption draws near!