SCRIPTURE:
““Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.””
Revelation 16:15
OBSERVATION:
In John's prophetic vision, it is now underway. The green light is given for the wrath of God to be dispensed on the earth. There are no more repentant souls, nor those who placed their full trust in Jesus.
Each bowl contains an element of suffering; nothing less than the full measure of God's fury and wrath inflicted on those who chose the dragon, the beasts, and self-reliance. Malignant sores, seas and rivers to blood, scorching heat, utter darkness, the river drying up in preparation for major war...
...and now, a brief advisory from Jesus.
If one looks carefully, you can actually skip this verse 15 and seamlessly read from verse 14 to 16 without missing a beat. But it's almost as though before the apex of God's wrath is fulfilled--the final bowl of wrath--Jesus interrupts the vision and gives this plea, a call to spiritual preparedness, to not our guard down and fall lazy or passé on this. The need to be ready cannot be stressed enough by Jesus Himself!
He says He will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Other passages in the word describe it as "like lightning flashing from east to west".
Bottom line; it will be unexpected, quick, and most frightening, it will be FINAL, with no more chances for negotiation or bargaining.
APPLICATION:
Jesus interrupted the "program" as it were, because I truly believe we don't always get it. I know I slip, and by default, turn the world's way.
How do I "keep my clothing ready", how do I stay prepared for His coming? Several ways;
1) Live like He's coming in 5. Not 5 days, not 5 hours. Live like He's coming in 5 minutes. When we have company coming, I "clean house", even a little. Straighten out, shelve magazines and mail, a good vacuuming, keeping tidy.
I believe we need to tidy our minds and hearts continuously. Monitor what I watch or read or do in my free time. Is it something that Jesus would be blessed by? He's coming in 5!
2) Live a repentant lifestyle. It will be too late to ask for mercy and repent once He's here, so why not make my life repentant! Forgive quickly. Ask for forgiveness quickly. "I'm sorry" is very powerful when totally sincere. And I must repent before the LORD daily, continuously.
3) Be being saved! I never want to take my salvation and forgiveness of my sins passively or with a flippant, "I'm covered" attitude. To do that cheapens the most holy death of my Lord and Savior and proves that my faith is superficial and having no redemptive impact.
Jesus Christ did not give me a "Get Out Of Hell Free" card. He gave me HIMSELF. It is a refreshing, life changing, soul reviving notion to dwell on! And it makes me as excited as the day I first made my conscious choice to follow Him! Thank You Jesus!
...and now, back to the program. God's wrath. It is coming. I need to be ready.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I know in my heart that You want the whole world to be saved. I also know that it will not happen. Even today, the world will reject You just as they did thousands of years ago. And it's getting worse and worse.
While there is breath in my lungs, may I remember this warning You give us, and may I, in my puny way, be a part of the solution side, with a life that says You love us, You died for us, You live, You’re coming back, and You want us all ready. May it be so. Amen!
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