“No one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. ONLY THE FATHER KNOWS.” (Matt. 24:36)
Many are falsely claiming they know when the Lord will return, Jesus said HE WILL RETURN but the only one who knows is the Father… “…you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers (empaiktēs: a false teacher), mocker. will come IN THE LAST DAYS with scoffing, FOLLOWING THEIR OWN SINFUL DESIRES. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised?” (2 Pet. 3:1-4) We must be so careful of deception in these last days, Jesus said: “Watch out that NO ONE DECEIVES YOU. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and WILL DECEIVE MANY. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but THE END IS STILL TO COME.” (Matt. 24:4-6) As many become impatient, stop reading their bibles, stop praying and stop believing… “At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and DECEIVE MANY PEOPLE.” (Matt. 24:10-11) We must remember this… “THE LORD IS NOT SLOW in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, NOT WANTING ANYONE TO PERISH, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord WILL COME like a thief. The heavens WILL DISAPPEAR with a roar; the elements WILL BE DESTROYED by fire, and the earth and everything done in it WILL BE LAID BARE.” (2 Pet. 3:9-10) It is essential for us to keep ourselves in the love of God… “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, BE ON YOUR GUARD so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and FALL FROM YOUR SECURE POSITION.” (2 Pet. 3:17) So, we must be about: “…storing up treasure for ourselves as a good foundation for the future, so that we may TAKE HOLD OF THAT WHICH IS TRULY LIFE.” (1 Tim. 6:19)
SO THAT WE MAY TAKE HOLD OF THAT WHICH IS TRULY LIFE…
-Bill Stockham