Monday, September 22, 2008

Is Time Ticking Away?


The Contemporary Christian/Rap Group D.C. Talk, which was popular in the 90's used to sing a song that said, "Time is ticking away, tick, tick, ticking away!" There was another song popular about that same time that said, "It's the end of the world as we know it." I don't know if you feel the same way as I do, but it seems like times are changing and that things as we have known them for so long, especially here in the United States are quickly slipping away. Could it be that the prophetic clock is about to strike midnight?

I don't want to seem like a doomsday prophet, or a prophet of gloom, because I am not! As a Christian, I know that things do not stay the same, and they must change to usher in Christ's kingdom on earth. Certain things have to take place, according to God's Divine plan before Christ will return and set up his Kingdom here on earth.

Paul said this in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5

2Th 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,

2Th 2:2
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2Th 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2Th 2:5
Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?


Paul said that the "Man of Sin" would be revealed prior to that event. The Man of Sin is another name for the Antichrist, which will come onto the world scene in the last days, enter into a 7-year peace treaty with Israel, break it half-way through and set himself up as god and an object of worship. The sad thing is that most of the world will fawn after him and be doomed forever.

But, I digress. It just seems that with what has been happening with our financial institutions and political institutions, when both Congress and the President have been having record low approval numbers that there's just an uneasiness and unrest in the atmosphere. Could it be that the spirit of Antichrist, also called the spirit of lawlessness and mystery of iniquity, has been emboldened?

Also, what about what has been taking place in nature. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there have been a record number of earthquakes recorded. And how about the hurricanes doing billions of dollars of damage to our coastal states and cities? What about the flooding in the midwest and tornadoes in the South and Southwest? Is it the earth and all creation groaning and travailing as a woman about to give birth to a child, longing for the curse of sin to be lifted? Could it also be a direct consequence to mankind raping the Creation of its natural resources in his unholy thirst for power and love of money?

As we see all of these things, I am reminded of what our Lord said in Luke 21:28.

Luk 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

When he said, "And when these things begin to come to pass," it actually means, "Begin to occur in rapid succession." We have seen this acceleration take place. In the last 100 years, much has happened. In the last 50 years even more has happened. And in the last 20 years even more. It seems with each passing day, another sign is being fulfilled.

What should our response be to these things? Should we resign from society, stock up on non-perishables, and hold the fort? I believe the proper response is to do what Jesus said to do: "Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!" Look up! He's Coming! Lift up your head! THAT'S GREAT NEWS! Our redemption draweth nigh! THAT'S EVEN GREATER NEWS! We don't have to look for the undertaker, because the uppertaker is on His way! Let's walk closer to Jesus than we ever have! And let's take as many people with us as we possibly can! HE'S COMING BACK SOON!

7 comments:

Colvin5776 said...

Amen!...I will say I can not beilive you linked DC Talk with REM! LOL That is one connection I would have never thought of.

I will agree the proper responce is for us as Christians to look for our Lord. We also should as we are looking up is to have faith in Gods protection.

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
(Luk 18:8)

We must have faith in Gods provision in such finacial woes. We must have Faith in Gods protection even when proclaiming the word of God may cost our job, our familys, or even our own lives. We must have Faith in Gods mercy especialy when we witness to those who hate us and perhaps harm us. I hope that when the Lord comes that the question asked in Luke 18:8 will be answered as a yes.

Nathan Wilkerson said...

Well, sometimes I wonder what the difference is between groups like D.C. Talk (I know they're split up now. But I went and saw them in person twice, and I must say I was a bit embarrassed by their on-stage antics.) and a group like REM. I guess I'd get along great with your school administrator! LOL!

Anyway, Keep Looking Up Jesus Is Coming Soon! Praise the Lord for ya!

Colvin5776 said...

Well I know this is way off topic from the blog...but I do have a problem between what is heard in the music verses what is seen on stage or behind the stage...as the case may be. There is a group called P.O.D. that I at one time listened to, at the time I liked it because it was the same style of music I listened to...yet it was "christian". However they were seen touring with Ozzy Ozborn...and went to Oz Feast! They also were caught cussing on stage...and some members of the band were caught doing drugs!...but it is not just the "contemparary" music you must look out for...Look at Amy Grant, and now Bolts. By most they made great music...but something went wrong somewhere....anyways...I say we should all go back to Gagorian Chants...that would liven the services up!!LOL

Nathan Wilkerson said...

I think where they went wrong is where we in the church have gone wrong. We have so developed an entertainment and performance-driven mindset that we have put up with anything and everything, because their music made us "feel" good. This is of course humanism in its simplest form.

Humanism = "The end of all things is the happiness of man."

Biblical Christianity = "The end of all things is the glory of God."

If our actions off or on stage do not back up our profession, God is not glorified, and His name will be reproached.

I agree with Johnny Hunt, President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He said that Christian Music was alot better before people got paid for writing it.

Colvin5776 said...

Ammen, you gotta love Pastor Hunt! I agree worship is out of a personal desire to serve the King.

Worship should be first and for most focused on serving the King.

It then should be something done useing all of our gifts...I think part of the problem with worship service is that they do not put there energy and talents in it. I have seen music leaders who did not know what they were going to sing until Sunday morning...and typicaly they just sang the same song sunday after sunday. God does not desire half hearted service.

The other problem is that we are not excited with what God has done because we have not been in communion with God to know what he is up to. W.A. Crisswell said this "you can't drink milk all week and expect to preach cream on sunday"!

Look there a three point message with no text...LOL...sounds like something Joel Olsten would do...Oh wait...You can have your best life now (Smiles real big, blinking my eyes 1,000 times per min)...there that is more like it.LOL....we are way off topic!

Nathan Wilkerson said...

When you're stuck in traffic, and the enemy comes to you and tries to get you to think negative, just remember that you go to church in a big basketball arena. Just think positive thoughts and realize that I was working a TV camera before I started preaching. I don't know what that has to do with anything but it'll make you feel better. LOL Anyway, we've digressed way too far. Have a goot one!

Colvin5776 said...

LOL...it took me a while to get that one...sad I know! I first thought...Wow I did not know Nathan worked on a TV camera before he preached...LOL