Jesus was asked by the crowds: “When will you return?” “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. At that time MANY WILL TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH…” (Matt. 24:4&10)
Then he admonished his followers: “I am coming soon. HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU HAVE, so that NO ONE will take your crown.” (Rev. 3:11)
Jesus instructs us to hold on to what we have because the devil would love to take our crown away from us. I want to share with you that I am concerned, when I posted the blog: “THE CHANGE WILL OCCUR…” (0n 09-27-17 about the return of the Lord) 9,352 people viewed it on the COGOP site, then I posted “THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL…” (on 10-05-17 teaching us how to walk worthy of the Lord,) 436 people viewed it. So, it seems we are interested in the return of the Lord but not necessarily interested in knowing what we need to do to be ready. Jesus taught us that we must hold on because Satan will cause many TO TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH…
Paul teaches us that it will take A LOT OF POWER to hold on to what we have:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may STRENGTHEN YOU WITH POWER through his Spirit in your inner being so that CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH…I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, MAY HAVE POWER…TO GRASP (to take eagerly, to possess) how WIDE and how LONG and how HIGH and how DEEP is THE LOVE OF CHRIST, and to 1KNOW THIS LOVE that surpasses [goes beyond] knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19) 1ginōskō: an intimate knowledge, intimacy.
SUBMIT YOURSELVES TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. DRAW NEAR TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU. (Jam. 4:7, 8)
-Bill Stockham