Tuesday: Be Prepared and Watchful
Vigilance and fidelity have been required of Christ’s followers in every age; but now that we are standing upon the very verge of the eternal world, holding the truths we do, having so great light, so important a work, we must double our diligence.
-Ellen G. White,Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 460,461.
Read Luke 12:35-53 and summarize what these verses mean specifically to you, especially if you have been waiting a long time for the second coming of Jesus.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
Christians cannot afford to be lax or lethargic. The context of His sure return, and the unknown hour thereof, should drive us to have our robes girded and our lamps trimmed and burning. The eschatological hope must be the driving force of our life and work, our readiness and faithfulness. It is this faithfulness to do His will on earth and readiness to meet Him in peace that distinguishes between good and evil servants.
Any neglect of faithfulness on the pretext that My master is delaying his coming
(Luke 12:45, NKJV) is placing oneself under the severest form of God’s judgment (vss. 45-48). The more the privilege the greater the responsibility, and hence, from those who are given much, much will be expected (vs. 48).
The ancient prophet’s judgment Woe to you who are at ease in Zion
(Amos 6:1, NKJV) seems reflected in Christ’s warning that Christian discipleship is not a state of ease. Paul explains the Christian life as one of spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:12). The focal point is that every Christian is involved in the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan, and the Cross draws a clear line between the two. Only by continual faith in the Christ of the cross can one win the final victory.
For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
(Luke 12:48, NKJV). What should this text mean to us as Seventh-day Adventists?
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Those who are bound for the Land of the pure and the holy cannot afford to pattern the Israelites as they approached the earthly Promised Land.
On the eastern banks of the Jordan River on a plain called the Vale of Shittim the people of Israel discovered a place of pleasure, comfort and ease. Feeling confident about what they had accomplished in previous victories and deserving of a little fun they lost sight of their purpose, and were caught in a distraction that cost the inheritance and life of many (Numbers 25:1-9). Foreign social forces overcame the spiritual focus.
As the remnant people approach the Heavenly Promised Land it behooves them to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8); so that no distraction of any sort take the attention away from the mission and purpose. When strange social forces threaten to captivate the attention and darken the spiritual vision it is time to wake up and pray for spiritual eye salve (Revelation 3:18).
Know this that Israel will get home. The question is who will be in the number. Who will go? Watch therefore and pray if you will go to the Eden above.
When I was first married I drove an old FX Holden from Sydney to Perth, a distance of around 5000km. Those were the days when the road across the Nullabor desert was gravel and bulldust (Australians know what I mean). My wife Carmel, did not have a driver's licence, so that meant the I drove all the way. Carmel has very vague memories of that trip, she sat next to me on the bench seat (If you remember front bench seats in cars I have a pretty good idea how old you are!) and slept most of the way. I remained alert and awake. I had to dodge huge potholes, wombats, dingos, kangaroos, and the occasional car travelling in the opposite direction. The difference was that Carmel had nothing to do, while I continually had to be alert and make driving decisions.
Salvation has never been about going to sleep. (Some of our hymns seem to indicate that) The road we are travelling requires alert drivers, not passive passengers!
By the way: Carmel has her drivers licence now - not sure if I should extend the metaphor further. {grin}
This lesson has awaoken my spirit. Due to lack of employment, my financial worries have clouded my zeal for worship. Am sleeping brethren. Pray for me and others like me to wake up and overcome the devil.
We got to be prepared for jesus's coming
and we are not prepared for Jesus coming
We have been given so much, and the Lord wants us to use it to further His kingdom and proclaim His glory. That's what we were created to do, we should ask Gods wisdom on how to use our resources according to His will so that He may be glorified. In Micah 6:8,God has shown us what He requires. Too much of our time is spent daily on things that don't matter. If we don't use what we've been blessed with to get the gospel out, people are going to "hell" be prepared, be ready and try to get others ready!!
We do a lot of hand-wringing metaphorically about being prepared for the Second Coming, as though there is something special we must do. Sometimes we forget the best preparation is the work we do now. Luke in his record of the parable of the ten talents tells us what is necessary: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13. An occupied Christian is one who has understood the meaning of salvation for the present - not just on an eternal retirement plan.
There is a work to be done now and that work is the best preparation we can have for the Second Coming. Our prayer should be; "Lord what do you want me to do now!"
happy sabbath brethren!!Mukwena, may the good Lord grant you the desires of your heart!do not despair just focus on Jesus Christ who has given us so many promises:Phil 4 vs 4-6,Matt 11 vs 28-30, Matt 6 vs 25-34.
Concerning preparedness for the soon advent of Christ , we need to stay ready my brothers and sisters lest that day catches us unawares. We are called to live holy lives but the devil has instilled in us a spirit of confkivt to think that it is impossible to do so!I still believe if we seek the Lord deligently and sincerely with true repetence we can be able to live the life that the likes of Enock, Elijah etc lived whilst on this earth.we can only do this through Christ Jesus our Redeemer and Him who strengthens us in our faith, Phil 4 vs 13.May God help us to be part of the group that will be filled with joy when we see Him appear in the eastern sky on thst glorious day !!