Nearer Than Ever Before

Continued from Where Has the Joy Gone

“… But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power…” 2 Timothy 3:1-5; cf Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5-6.

It’s evident that we are living in a far different world than ten years ago; evil is on the rise today more so than ever as it seems. Well, at least as far as I see it viewing from my timeline. Corruption has been rising since humanity’s fall (see Genesis 3:22-24) in the Garden of Eden, somewhere in the land of the four rivers – the Pishon, the Gihon, the Tigris, and the Euphrates (see Genesis 2:8-14). And evil continues to be the culprit of rousing rebellious and untruthful schemes. Many have fallen to the lies of the evil one (see Ephesians 2:1-3; First John 5:19), who is desirous that everyone else falls with them.

Wow, I’m sure glad there’s more to life than this mortal time; other than the immortal, life would make no sense. Ah, then what is the meaning of our mortal existence?

For me, my life’s meaning after finishing high school, obviously some decades ago, I had not truly discovered it then. My fault, perhaps, but I’m glad now I waited until I got further down the road in finding God’s direction for me. (See Proverbs 16:9.)

And yet now, my mind entertains a thought: the end of this mortal time is nearer than ever before. These days, how can we look very far “down the road” in making plans as to what to do next. These days, I’m catching most appropriately the meaning of “one day at a time.” There’s nothing wrong with planning, of course, except as the saying goes, “should the Lord tarry.” Meaning, I think, it’s good to plan, yet with the end in view. As the Scriptures read, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that,” James 4:15. (See the context James 4:13-17; cf Proverbs 27:1; Job 7:7; Psalm 39:5; 144:4).

Of course, for the Christ-follower, whatever we do – job, career, vacationing, playtime – living in this mortal time, it’s to be as a witness of our faith, I believe. As all through the years, our schedules should incorporate. Of course, if all there was to life was the mortal time, it would not matter what job or travels to take. All that mattered then would be fattening a financial portfolio, maintaining our earthly “mansion,” and enjoy a “vanity fair[1].” (Consider Luke 12:18-20.)

And so as I consider it, let this be my prayer that whatever my daily tasks may it be as God’s enabling to carry on in the higher cause until Christ's return, and then comes the best life. (See Matthew 6:25-34.)

[1] Vanity Fair “(in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress) a fair that goes on perpetually in the town of Vanity and symbolizes worldly ostentation and frivolity. (often lowercase) any place or group, as the world of fashionable society, characterized by or displaying a preoccupation with idle pleasures or ostentation,”

My life has been renewed, and the real world discovered. In viewing these “signs of the times,” however, (see Matthew 24:4-7; 2 Peter 3:3-4), I can’t help but realize more so now that the end and the Lord’s return is near.

Yet, consider Matthew 24:36-37, "...concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son[1] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah [see Genesis chapter six], so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

With me, viewing the current events, I can’t imagine another 20, 30, or 40 years, or more, maybe not even ten years. But, thinking biblically, until all peoples hear the Good News – every nation, tribe, and language. (See Matthew 24:14.)

Nevertheless, eager for that day, praying, "Come Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua). Make all things new." (Consider Isaiah 43:18, Isaiah 43:19, Revelation 21:5, Isaiah 65:17.) But until then, in so watching, let us keep our lamps trimmed and burning, and shining brightly that the “nations” (peoples), too, may discover God’s (Elohim’s) direction for them. (See Matthew 25:1-13; Philippians 2:12-18, Ephesians 2:1-13.)

Philippians 2:10-11 (TLV) “…that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow,[1] in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue profess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord—to the glory of God the Father.”

[1] Philippians 2:10; cf. Isaiah 45:23

[1] Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son

[2] Philippians 2:10; cf. Isaiah 45:23