The Lord is coming! To that fact the Word of God is clear. But what will the return of the Lord look like culturally and globally? 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 says, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace, and safety;’ then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” The destruction described here, is unexpected and unforeseen. We live in a world that has pleasure as its ultimate goal. Abortions are performed because couples desire the pleasures of the flesh, without consequence. Work is a means to an end – ultimately retirement. People look at pay increases as a means to increase their standard of living, choosing to continue to live at the edge of their income, rather than seeing the increases as a way to give more for the cause of Christ. In retirement, people who now have the liberty to devote more time to service for the Lord, are leaving the church with the excuse, “I did my part!” I am concerned that the church is going to be cause unaware of the reality … READ MORE

As we consider the attitude culturally and globally as the Lord makes His return ready, we next turn to Luke 18:8 “Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find (the) faith on the earth?” Since this verse appears in the story of the importunate widow, who continues to ask the judge to rule on her case without getting any response. Jesus seems to be teaching that the Lord will not find “faith which has endured in prayer without fainting.” I have included the word “the” in parenthesis to indicate that Jesus is referring to something specific and not just faith in general. It would seem that when the Lord comes back He will not find faith that brings salvation being taught in the churches that are to represent Him. Back in the 60’s and 70’s the message of the gospel, was reduced to simply repeating a prayer, and there was a de-emphasis of a transformed life, that is manifested by a desire to live in the holiness commanded in Scripture. Many churches who were once gospel preaching churches, have turned away from pointing out sin, and living a life in obedience to the Word of God. Churches have … READ MORE

Over the years people have asked what event or events do we need to watch for as we anticipate the return of the Lord. Interestingly, according to Scripture, it is not a specific event, but a general attitude culturally and globally. In order to understand this attitude we need to examine scripture to get the picture that God is painting in His Word. I would start with Matthew 24:37-39, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” This passage speaks of the suddenness of the return. No one will know the day or hour, but will be occupied in the ordinary things of life. This passage reveals the carelessness and lack of watchfulness for His return. Those living at the time will be so busy with the “cares of this life” that the day of His return will … READ MORE