The Waiting Game: Your Life on the Launching Pad

If you’ve ever viewed a launch day of a NASA space shuttle or a SpaceX rocket from Cape Canaveral, you know that undeniable feeling of expectation.

It stands up so tall, against the backdrop of clear blue sky. That enormous, magnificent machine of science and technology. Poised there, upon its springboard of discovery. Finally ready to fulfill its mission, and take to the heavens.

The road to reach this day of discovery has been a long and complicated journey. Great amounts of time and treasure have been devoted to such projects.

And to view one of these historical moments is to witness that culmination of dreams and daring that must have been there when man’s very first flight suddenly took to the air.

There—perched upon its launching pad—it proudly stands. There it awaits those last-minute calculations…

Is it ready? Does everything check out? Is it all in perfect working order? Are all systems a “GO?”

Without a doubt, nothing leaves the launching pad without that final authorization. Which either clears or cancels all ascending objects, so poised to leave their earthly moorings.

So begins that attentive waiting game, for all and everyone involved.

THE “COUNTDOWN” BEGINS

It was May of 1948 when the nation of Israel was once again reborn.

Suddenly, she would be that Biblical sign that so necessary to fulfill ancient Bible prophecy. Both to the Church of Jesus Christ, and also before an unbelieving world.

Isaiah 66:6-10

Israel’s rebirth as a nation was a great sign and a wonder. Because her prophetic appearance would make possible the completion of the Church Age.

Prophetically speaking, the new nation of Israel set forth the “countdown” of all future, last-days events to follow.

Since that miraculous window of her rebirth, our world has witnessed a plethora of “birth pains,” never before witnessed by modern history.

Wars and rumors of war have become the norm, in a middle-east hotbed of hatred against the Jewish nation. As the world-at-large defies her national existence. And a UN Council denies her any rightful place of recognition.

“I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 12:2-3

Here we see the very first promise given by God, to His servant Abraham, concerning that newly designated land, that would one day become the very nation of Israel.

Here, God promised—in no uncertain terms—whoever would bless Israel would be blessed. And whoever would curse her would, by their own cursing, be cursed.

Today’s modern Israel is now a daily sign and a wonder, for Christ’s awaiting church to witness. And for a wayward world, she continues to be a constant concern.

In her, the “countdown” of world events steadily continues, just as they must. Nothing is out of place. But instead, everything is prophetically falling into its perfect place and time.

And of course, this directly involves the promise of Jesus Christ’s soon appearing in the clouds of Rapture, to suddenly catch away His awaiting bride, the Church.

DON’T MESS WITH “YES” AND “AMEN”

For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand.

Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 1:13-14, 18-22

Think about those times you had to wait in an extremely long line somewhere, wondering (or even doubting) when your turn would finally come. It can feel almost agonizing, as time seems to drag on.

And for those of us who can hardly wait to see our Lord’s appearing, it often gets frustrating, as we are left to wonder how long the wait will be. In our present world of instant gratifications, waiting seems like the last thing any of us wants to do.

But waiting is an essential part of what lies just ahead. In scripture, waiting is directly connected to the “promise” of good things to come. And so waiting is the very reason why we hold our place in line. Because of those expectations of good things ahead.

However, waiting without a promise can be more than frustrating. It makes life uncertain. It becomes a commitment, without a guarantee.

Thankfully, God doesn’t treat us like that. His promises are “Yes” and “Amen.” This means that whatever He has promised will come to pass. Whatever He has said, will surely happen.

God didn’t leave anything to chance, but gave His personal seal of approval and blessing upon each and every one who trustingly believes on His Son Jesus.

JESUS. He is the great YES and AMEN! He is never the “maybe I will” or “maybe I won’t.” He is the very guarantee of God’s grace and truth. He is the focal point of Faith itself.

He IS the RAPTURE of his awaiting church! The epitome of everlasting excellence. The very REVELATION of God’s eternal purposes.

He is that one and only NAME of authority, who signed—by his own blood—every promise ever given, from God to men.

When God declares in His Word, that Jesus will soon be appearing in the clouds of glory to catch his awaiting bride away, we have no reason doubt Him.

If God said it, we should believe it. If God has promised us, we should expect Him to fulfill His promises. For His promises in Christ Jesus are “Yes” and “Amen!”

WORKING WITH OUR WEAPONS IN HAND

But “waiting” must be more than just wanting off of this Earth-ride. There is work to be done. And battles to be won. Walls to rebuild. And lives that must be defended.

And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people,

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah.

Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.

Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Nehemiah 4:14-18

As in those wondrous days of Nehemiah, God has purposed His people today to hold the lines of defense, even as we work and wait.

Are our enemies all around us? Yes. Is our present-day world getting darker with Sin and rebellion? Yes, of course it is.

But our reality is that we are the awaiting church of Jesus Christ, where the Spirit of the living God resides.

We have been empowered and authorized to use all of the resources God has given us through Christ Jesus. But we are not to work without a Spirit-empowered awareness.

Our unbelieving world goes out of its way to discourage and intimidate those working and waiting for the promises of God.

But like Nehemiah’s band of wall-builders, we are called upon to work—while defending our rightful place to stand.

Thankfully, God through His wonderful, residing Holy Spirit, defends us with weapons the world knows nothing about.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal

but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We understand that these weapons are important, and are implicitly provided, for the waiting worker in Christ. How specialized might these weapons be, for those of us who long to use them?

Let’s take a look.

First of all, we see that these God-given weapons are NOT CARNAL. That word, “carnal” is simply something that is fleshly or humanistic. Or something that is derived from one’s own basic instincts or strength.

But spiritual weapons are the opposite of that. They are never activated in our flesh by an emotional stirring such as fear, anger, frustration, flattery, etc.

Secondly, our weapons are MIGHTY. They are powerful and potent. And they are weapons particularly designed for WARFARE against God’s enemies.

Look at what our weapons are capable of accomplishing:

• FOR PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS. (The enemy’s strongest defenses.)
• FOR CASTING DOWN ARGUMENTS and EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTS ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. (The enemy’s best and bravest lies.)
• FOR BRINGING EVERY THOUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST. (The enemy’s rousing accusations and half-truths, that come against our minds.)

Clearly, we have been provided with the weaponry to fight the enemy’s foolishness. While we wait—and finish our established work in Christ—until He comes.

REACHING FORWARD TOWARD THE PRIZE

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Philippians 3:13-16

Waiting for Christ may mean different things to different believers. But the Word of God is able to keep us “waiting” with a forward attitude. And a mature way of thinking.

Because we have been equipped with the Mind of Christ.

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

The ability to compare spiritual things with spiritual—relying upon the residence of the Holy Spirit within us—is more than mere skill or knowledge.

This is spiritual discernment. It involves and activates sound reasoning, that is maintained by God’s gift of the Mind of Christ within us.

And it is vitally important to those of us who are now experiencing the “launching pad” effect.

We can feel it—that suspense hanging in the air. And we can easily become “antsy.” We might suddenly lose our cool. Or worse yet, we can sometimes lose our hope—if we haven’t been disciplined to stand in faith.

Our waiting “game” has a sure GUARANTEE. But it is also our own personal WARFARE. So we are required (and encouraged) to be packing God’s weapons of war.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that this daily warfare must be pressed into, in a forward manner. Think about it. Does a soldier win a battle by losing ground? Or by backing away? No—he aggressively and bravely stands, and presses on toward the battle.

He has no time (or good reason) to look back at where he came from. Because the battle is out in front.

And what does Paul say of his mind, that we are to have? He purposely forgets about those things which are behind him. Which releases his mind (and ultimately his actions) to press forward, into the fight.

But Paul has found another reason for pressing ahead. It is the prize—the very upward calling in Christ Jesus—which spurs him on. It is the very reason he stands and fights.

And wins! We win! For truly, the battle is the Lord’s! And in Christ, it has already been won, by our faith.

In every situation, we are the Lord’s. So we, by our faith, are able to complete the work that He has already done—as we work and walk, and wait together, for that wonderful promise of His coming.

WHAT’S ALL OF THE DOUBT ABOUT?

knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?

For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

For this they willfully forget:

that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,

but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:3-9

These days, there seems to be a wave of doubters opposing us, on the battlefields of our Christian faith.

And it’s hard for those of us to understand why a Christian wouldn’t be looking forward to the Lord Jesus’ soon appearing.

But the Apostle Peter assures us: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some (men) count slackness, BUT is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any (of us) should perish.

What promise is Peter talking about? Of course, it is the very promise of Christ’s coming for His church!

Peter informs us, in the last days scoffers will come. And they will be walking according to their own lusts (pleasing themselves, instead of God).

And they’ll be spouting out accusations like: Where is He? And where is His promise? Time just keeps going on, and nothing ever changes…all things continue as they were from the beginning.

First of all, these people really need to catch up on the news. Nothing has changed since the beginning? Are they kidding? What planet have they been living on?

EVERYTHING has changed. Our crazy world is practically upside down from the way it began. So what are these people even talking about?

The passage above seems to sum it all up for us. “For this they WILLINGLY forget.”

It seems the doubters are in their own private bubble of denial, of those things which took place when the world began. So, it should not surprise us, that they now willingly and purposely “forget” the realities of a last-days world.

The doubters of a last days world, are also the deniers of a last days Rapture of the Church. They brazenly deny the truth of God’s Word, and make up their own self-centered scenarios.

Hey—whatever floats their boat.

But thankfully, God is kinder than I am. For God is long-suffering toward us (the skeptics, or doubters, or even the liars). And He’s not willing that any (of us) should perish (be eternally lost without Him) but that all should come to repentance before Him.

What a wonderful and welcoming Creator He is.

THE “LAUNCHING PAD” OF NOAH’S TIME

It was a time like no other in human history. Imagine it—that great flood of Noah’s day.

So much tragedy and death—as the whole world was destroyed by water. And only that little handful of humanity, who had obediently entered into the ark of God, were saved.

Those eight souls there, willingly left the world they knew—and set out for an unknown destination, that none of them had yet seen.

God’s man Noah and his family were being kept safe in the boat. That much they knew to be true.

But at that critical moment in time, all they seemed to have was a past. And THE PROMISE that God would surely provide them with a future.

But their present pathway was one of waiting for all that God had planned and purposed to do. Theirs would be a brand new world, that God alone could provide.

That safe sanctuary of the ark had become their launching pad, as they patiently awaited some sign from God, to lift them out of their present predicament.

Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.

So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground.

But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark.

Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.

Genesis 8:1, 6-11

All along, it had been a waiting game for those within the ark. But finally, they had entered into those “last days” of their waiting. As the winds of change began to blow. And the waters began to recede. And the ark of God came to her purposed resting place.

But those very last days of Noah’s great adventure, would further test his faith, in the One who had promised.

Nothing would be taken for granted. Nothing would be overlooked. Everyone’s future (including our own!) would depend upon it.

Noah faithfully sent out the raven, and then the dove, to test the timing of God’s purposes. And in God’s perfect timing, Noah was able to discern the times.

Let’s briefly analyze what Noah did, to test the times and seasons of God.

The raven Noah sent forth might be characterized as that practical side of life. Simply there to see what it might see, and take advantage of it.

And the raven does not seem to cooperate with its master, Noah, but simply flies back and forth, with no particular purpose.

But the dove that Noah sent out was different. It found no place for the sole of its foot to land upon. And so it returned to Noah, for further instructions.

Think about it—this dove plays a double role there. One, being a part of the ark’s inhabitants. And another, of being an emissary of God’s great hope.

We know from scripture, that a “dove” can represent the Holy Spirit of God—that is both resident within the “ark” (that safe sanctuary that we have in Christ), and which also goes before us, testifying of God’s faithful promises.

The dove returned. For it was on a mission—and it was moved and motivated within the confines of God’s direction.

And Noah, once he had received the vital information she provided, would wait another course of days. Then they set out again, to discover where they were, within God’s perfect calendar of events.

Wonderfully, our Dove returns with a timely promise. You’ll notice that she didn’t return until evening, which suggests she had traveled quite some distance. And that freshly-plucked olive leaf she held, seemed to say it all.

God’s new world was just about ready to receive His faithful recipients, as those very last days were soon to be completed.

But surprisingly, Noah did not lose his righteous patience. God’s servant kept his head, and further tested “the waters” of God’s perfect timing.

That same gentle Dove was assigned still another test flight. And dutifully she set out, to inform her master of God’s Master Plan. And she did.

But this time, it would be her absence that confirmed to Noah all that he needed to know:

God’s new world was indeed ready for His people.

Then God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.

Genesis 8:15-16

Imagine that little family, in that ark of God. How long they’d been waiting, and faithfully working. Caring for all of the animals.

And hoping for that promise—of salvation set before them—to be at last fulfilled.

So when Noah suddenly shouted down below, that the waters had all dried up, their excitement and praise must have filled that ark. No doubt they must have laughed and cried. And danced with great joy and thanksgiving.

Finally, everything seemed to be so ready. And how easy it might have been, to lose one’s way, in all of the excitement.

Imagine how cooped up and cranky everyone must have felt, in that crowded habitation of waiting for God’s promises. Animal and humans alike were all dying to get off of that smelly boat!

The new world was waiting, just outside. It seemed so close—and yet, so far.

One more thing still needed to take place. That sovereign grace—that grace that always precedes and produces the very plans of the Almighty God.

HIS voice. HIS choice. His timely permission, to change the circumstances that are, into all that they shall be.

“Then God said to Noah, Go out of the ark…”

THE COUNTDOWN CONCLUDES

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalms 27:14

And now, here we are—this last days bunch of weary travelers. Faced with an impossible world. Held within a holding pattern. Awaiting our God’s great announcement—that will proclaim the moment we get to leave this launching pad.

And we must faithfully wait for God’s perfect timing. With one hand at work, and the other hand wielding our spiritual weapons. With one foot in “the now,” and the other foot poised at the precipice of our promised eternity.

We are now in our last-days mission of “occupation,” until He comes. Our mission is so that God’s great Glory might be revealed through us, and to us. As we patiently wait for the “waters” of God’s purposes to recede.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption,

the redemption of our body.

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Romans 8:18-19, 22-25

So often, the launching pad of our expectations to depart this troubled life, makes the waiting game so very, very difficult. As we witness the storms of darkness growing ever closer. And as the ill wind of deception steadily blows in.

Should we faint in our present sufferings? Or should we believe, like Paul, that they are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is soon to come?

Should it now surprise us, that we groan for our Lord’s soon coming? When we know that the whole of creation groans with that same expectation, of Christ’s glory soon to be revealed?

Should we now lose hope, when our heavenly Rescuer is surely on His way? When the call of God to “come up higher” will so suddenly reveal His Day?

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,

but we know that when He is revealed,

we shall be like Him,

for we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:2

One day, it WILL happen.

Suddenly, the very air becomes electric. The sky reverberates with the life of the trumpet’s call!

10, 9, 8… the rumble…7, 6, 5…the gravestones and urns clatter.

4, 3, 2…the engine ROARS! Annnnnd…we have L I F T O F F!

Suddenly! Everyone born of Christ Jesus, is CHANGED!

In that moment—transformed! Taken up!

And all of your sorrow, all of your pain—all of your discouragements, your frustrations, disappointments, doubts and fears—all are left behind, on the launching pad.

Higher—you are propelled upward—with indescribable power. Ever higher—into Holy Habitations of Pure Light. Pure Love. Pure Joy. Pure Holiness.

And within that splendor and radiance, there will be a recognition so definite—that will penetrate your soul.

“My Lord and my God—It’s YOU!”

 

 

 

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.