Lenten Devotions for 9 April 2011 Anno Domini

Lenten Devotions for 9 April 2011 Anno Domini
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:24-37)

“the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light” Christ is our Day Star – our Sun of Righteousness! The day will come when He will close the Book of Life and return in Clouds of Glory as King of Kings. When the Light of Salvation is with held (because time shall be no more) the darkness upon those who have not believed will be of immense intensity. When the Light of the Sun is no longer available to them, the lower lights (moon and stars) will also have no light to reflect - “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." (2 Pet.3:10.) There will come a morning when the heavens shall be rolled back as a scroll. The great shaking that precedes this event will resound from the Halls of Heaven to the corridors of time and earthly estate. This will be a time of rejoicing for some, but for the greater number, a time of terror and trembling. Too late now to invite Christ into the heart of the woeful sinner. The door of the Ark has been closed by God. No further admittance will be allowed! Remember, the flood did not come until Noah and his family were safe in the ARK. So shall it be now. The mighty angels of God, descending in floods of light from Heaven, shall gather the Elect of God (His chosen from the foundation of the world) from the jungles and savannahs of Africa, the mountains of the Andes, the prisons of Arabia, the slums of India, and the fields of plenty – and shall bring them to the presence of God. And, did I forget? ….from “the uttermost part of heaven” Those who have died in Christ will not be forgotten! What a blessing to know that, when the sands of time have obliterated any hint of my name or grave, and all my loved ones have departed the scene and forgotten my person, there is One who will remember and never forget me – my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And His mighty Angels shall find me and carry me, also, to His Presence, and ALL those my brethren who have died in Christ!

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near.” The Jews of Jesus’ day were guilty of neglecting to heed the signs of the times. Let us not be so remiss. We see sin and wickedness proliferating on every hand. We see the honorable institution of marriage (God’s first institution) being held in mockery and contempt. We see the abomination of homosexuality being held up, even by the church, as a worthy lifestyle. We see the murder of unborn innocents by the millions - life which the Lord has given conception – being given less respect than homeless animals in a shelter. Unjust weights and measures in government, and evil thoughts and deeds are everywhere. Even most of our churches no longer provide a haven of rest and hope for the righteous. The fig tree is putting forth leaves – can you see them?

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” I have often lost courage when I witness the Word of God being manipulated by man and their spurious translations which attempt to remove the divinity of Christ. They wish to make Christianity something acceptable to the world by removing Christ Himself! But then I recall the words above! “my words shall not pass away.” Even when this clay sphere is afire with the wrath of God, His Word remains.

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Save your hard earned money from buying novelty books forecasting the hour and day of Christ’s return. Comfort yourselves from worry of the time and, instead, be ready at every moment of every day. It is this righteousness which the Lord seeks of His own.

Christ has honored us to be the keepers of His Vineyard – to be His lower lights to guide the ships into safe harbor along the rocks and shoals leading up to the great Lighthouse. We must be watchers at the wall to proclaim salvation to those who are dead in trespasses and sins. There IS a haven and a place of safety! We have been granted His authority to proclaim His unadulterated Word! And this charge has not descended upon the disciples of 2000 years ago only – but to each of us! “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” He says to ALL! That definitely includes you and me. WATCH! Be alert. Be a messenger of the peril coming! In view of the event that occurred this season 2000 years ago, and all for you and me, can we do any less? Can we watch one hour while the Master goes and prays? Can we watch one lifetime while our lives have been purchased at so great a ransom? We must be about our Father’s business, and that now!