A Day of Celebration!

“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 the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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.” And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him. (Luke 21: 25-37)

This are Jesus’ final words about Jerusalem’s destruction. In them we find not only a reference to the actual destruction of the temple, but according to most commentaries, also a reference about the end of times. So, this part of Jesus’ prophecy is for us as well.

Signs in the sky and the sea will terrify people on earth, and Jesus will come in a cloud with power and great glory. What for the Jews was a metaphor of Jesus’ revenge for their sin and rejection; it will be for us a reality. The Lord will return. It will be a time of redemption and joy for Christians. “When these things begin to happen look up and lift up your heads”. All injustices, all sorrows, all worries will fade away at the sight of our Savior. What for the rest of the world will be like a trap, it will be for those who believe in Christ a day of celebration!

Jesus said,“Do what farmers do, when you see the trees are budding, know that the summer is at hand” and “When you see this things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near”. His statements may seem too obvious to us,  but we people are so unwise and keep believing those who claim knowing when the world will end. My husband has a phrase that helps me to stay calm,“Don’t worry before things happen, it is a waste of time!” The Lord seems to be telling us the same, “WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE SIGNS!”

Jesus advised us one more time not to fix our affections in this world, but stay steadfast in His will, obeying His voice, so He’ll count us worthy of His kingdom. What a joy will be hearing our Lord telling us, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’

Today’s Practice

I will make all things that pertain to my spiritual life my priority: reading the Scriptures, praying to God and sharing the Gospel. I will spend my life obeying the Word of God and serving others. I will remain faithful to my Lord until His second coming.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14: 1-3)

 

A Dinner You Can’t Miss

Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14: 15-24)

Jesus had just advised his host that next time he would organize a feast he ought to avoid inviting his friends, and instead he should invite the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind. “They won’t repay you, but my Father in heaven will give you a reward” the Lord told him.

One of the guests when heard Jesus’ words exclaimed, “Happy (blessed) is the one who will eat bread in heaven!” The Lord explained to him that even though it is a privilege to be invited to fellowship with God in heaven, many will decline God’s invitation, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

This passage touches various aspects of salvation. At first it is probably referring to the Jews, that were God’s chosen people, but rejected the Savior sent by Him; the Lord then extended His mercy toward the gentiles. God went out of His way to save them, and us.

It also teaches us that the entire world has been invited to heaven, but possessions, occupations, pleasures and so forth, will take precedence in the lives of many. They will refuse to repent, look up to Jesus and be saved. They will refuse to be satisfied with the bread of life and the living water than only Jesus offers. Instead they will fully engage in earthly affairs in search of fulfillment, and will reject their very Creator.

God’s grace obliges Him to look for us and make us enter His kingdom. He will invite those who are the least likely to be citizens of heaven; those poor sinners whose emptiness will draw them to find comfort in Jesus and they will be saved. Once the great supper starts, some will realize their great mistake in rejecting Jesus Christ and will try to enter into God’s kingdom, but it will be too late.

Jesus came once as a suffering servant, but will return the second time as the Judge of the world. He extends multiple opportunities for us to be saved while we are alive, and before His second coming. Yet after death and at His second coming it will be too late for us to ask for mercy.

Have you been invited already to God’s supper? Are you already living for Christ’s glory?  Haven’t you done so? You can be saved today. Repent from your sins, accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross on your behalf, and surrender your life to Him. This is a dinner you can’t miss!

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6: 2)