Everywhere I look, the things we’ve assumed would always be a constant have shifted. Our governing institutions have faltered. Civil discourse is anything but. The economic engines of the world are broken. Even something as simple as our reliable Southern California weather has gone sideways and produced record-breaking heat and wildfires. Nothing seems to be stable any longer, that is, apart from God. I say that because in the midst of upheaval, we are witnessing the Holy Spirit at work, steadying life.
Reopened churches are welcoming those flocking to their sanctuaries, make-shift tents, and even parking lots to hear the Bible preached and worship sung. Every week, a tremendous amount of emotional, physical, and spiritual healing is taking place as lives are surrendered to Jesus. You can visibly see the outpouring of joy when believers rededicate their lives and nonbelievers come to salvation. At our church alone, nearly 1,000 made a public profession of their faith by being baptized. Many church doors may be closed but heaven’s door is wide open!
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV – “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
Eternal life with God in heaven – make it your goal to know what the Bible says about it. Meditate on its reality. Let the permanence of your future habitation settle deep into your mind and heart. Do that often and you’ll rest on a foundation that cannot be moved.
But we Christians are not to be sitting around idly plucking our harps in practice for that great day. The believer is not to be so fixated with heaven that we neglect the fact that we are to be busy about our Father’s business until Christ comes.
How can we sit still at this hour? Are you sensing that current world events indicate that Jesus’ coming is near? Can you look around and see that the season is changing, and God is about to interrupt our plans?
The soon appearing of Jesus Christ to earth should be a catalyst that energizes us to grow deeper in our knowledge of God. His return should cause us to be absolutely committed to evangelizing the world as much as possible. What an encouragement this passage is! We will not be in the dark concerning His appearance. We will not be surprised when the trumpet blast sounds. Those who look for Him shall see Him, and we shall be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of the eye! Are you ready?
1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV – “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
The above was taken from Pastor Jack Hibbs Devotionals – “Our Sure Eternal Foundation“ and “Are You Ready?“
