How amazing—to imagine that we now live in these very last days, just before the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ!
But how alarming it is to witness our world—now steeped in darkness and distraction.
Even now, we must realize that these times of trials and tests which are now upon us, involve much more than just our watching it all happen. Or simply waiting for things to end.
We—this world-wide, living church of Jesus Christ upon present earth—are here for some very specific reasons. This season of time has been granted and graced upon us, “for such a time as this.” For this time we now live in is like no other time before it.
But we need to ask ourselves a question. Who are we, really? And why are we here?
What have we become, by being gathered as one—into a world-wide body of believers in Jesus’ name? Are we simply the last generation of believers who occupy these troubled shores of earth? Are we just the last of God’s stragglers, left waiting here in line for our ticket home?
Interestingly, the Bible simply describes us in the verse below as “we who are alive and remain.” Only a wise and sovereign God would entrust such imperfect people with this high calling and purpose—to be the very last generation of the Church Age.
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Apostle Paul proclaimed this astounding revelation of Christ’s body of believers, who are to be suddenly taken from the earth. No doubt, even Paul would be amazed by the centuries of time that would transpire, before this revelation would finally come to pass.
As we wait for that moment, consider who you are, and why you now find yourself in this present age. We know that God doesn’t make any mistakes. So you and I must trust Him, that He has us exactly when and where we should be.
Should we simply be waiting for our time here on earth to expire? Are we only looking up, when we could be looking out—for others and their needs?
The fact that we are still alive and remaining here, should give us the assurance that our Lord has not yet completed all that He has purposed to do—in us, and through us.
Certainly, our soon and sudden disappearance will amaze, and even terrify many. We must realize that the seeds we might plant today—while we still have “today”—may indeed produce a great (and grateful) harvest, long after we have gone.
WHO WE ARE
In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the wheat and the tares. And we are soon faced with the reality, that in this family called “Christianity,” not all things are as they appear to be.
Apparently, hidden (or not so hidden) among us are a host of fakers, takers, and trouble-makers. They might be regarded as the “counterfeit currency” of Christianity.
Thankfully, the verses below tell us, in no uncertain terms, what our one identifying factor is—as opposed to any wannabe who purports to be part of us. Simply said, “good” people don’t go to heaven.
Only saved ones do.
“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,
and everyone who loves Him who begot
also loves him who is begotten of Him.”
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“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself;
he who does not believe God has made Him a liar,
because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 John 5:1,10-12
Through Christ Jesus, we are directly related to our Father in heaven. We are now “begotten of Him”—literally, the “family” of Almighty God. True believers in Christ Jesus will love His family, in addition to loving Him.
We are the living church of Jesus Christ, saved only by His grace, and bought with the price of His own redeeming blood. We have been separated from a sin-enslaved world, and are now repurposed unto God.
We have entered into a Covenant relationship with our Creator, when we believe in Jesus, the Son of God. This covenant of eternal life is a legal agreement, which cannot be tampered with or altered from its original intents.
In other words, we are Christ’s, and He is ours.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
We are those who have been strategically planned and planted, right within our own present time and circumstances. God was not mistaken when He dreamed of you, and spoke your frame into existence. You are the very purposed presentation of His glory!
What’s that? You’re not feeling so glorious? Or victorious? Or vital to God’s kingdom and calling? Everyone feels this way at times.
But please stop giving place in your heart to the lie, that you are a nobody. Begin believing Christ’s own words in the verse above, as He expresses the Father’s heart—about you.
Jesus declares to all of His disciples everywhere, in any generation of time, “You are the light of the world.” He carefully explained that if our lights are shining, we cannot and should not be hidden. We are like a city upon a hill, shining for miles around. Or we can be likened to a bright candle, high upon a lamp stand, bringing light to the whole house.
Family or friends may not appreciate this “light” that you are shining. Some may have put on their darkest pair of “Son glasses,” and are now pretending to not see the Christ in you. They may be hiding behind some mask of self-sufficiency. Or busily defending their own defiance.
But don’t be discouraged by any of that. Instead, be assured by what God’s own words say about you. Feel free to shine His light on your own dark corner of the world.
And be amazed at Who is certainly watching.
“I know your works.
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;
for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
“Because you have kept My command to persevere,
I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Behold, I am coming quickly!
Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Revelation 3:8,10-11
We are those who are now still remaining—holding within us the power and the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. Still focused upon the Father’s will, instead of our own. Still awaiting that day of our final redemption—when Jesus Christ personally calls to all who are His, “Come up here!” And swiftly catches us away!
Until that spectacular day of Christ’s appearing, we remain His, and His alone. However, the warning is clear: Hold fast to what you have, so no one is able to take your “crown.”
That word “crown,” in the Greek is “stephanos,” which is a laurel-type of victor’s crown—a runner’s reward, back in the day. The “stephanos” was the emblem representing (and rewarding) whose who struggled to survive tremendous hardship—and run through the finish line as an overcomer, victor and triumphant one!
You’ve got to hold on. Don’t let anyone take your crown. Hold on—simply by remembering who you are, in Christ Jesus.
WHERE WE ARE
“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
In this verse, the Apostle Paul alludes to the Christian life as a race. And to run it well must involve a “temperate” (self-restrained) mindset.
The trained and tested runner knows that the race is not won to the swift or the strong, but to that one who commands his movements well. It is the ability to utilize one’s self-control. To measure out each and every stride with certainty.
Not to be overwhelmed by the distance, and the difficulty of life’s challenges, but to live and to learn—with each and every well-positioned stride.
Friend, you and I are in a race. And this is not a race won by overconfidence. Nor by being overly cautious. This is the race that must be mastered by the self-controlled, God-tested individual.
WHY WE REMAIN
1) TO STAY (in the fight)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
This “great cloud of witnesses” represents all those who have run this race before us—every person who has believed in Christ, and died in the hope of His salvation. All those who have fought the good fight, and kept the faith (finishing their race with the One who finished it for them,) and who now await the promise of their own resurrection day in Christ.
You and I have a particular job to do, that no other person on planet earth has been given the task of doing. God designed you specifically—with your particular strengths, and your shortcomings. He uses every experience in your life, good and bad, as He refines you by His Holy Spirit. He teaches you all good things, and completes the work that Christ began in you at the cross.
God gives you everything you need to run your race—not in your own confidence, but in the confidence of Him who sends you.
Staying in the fight must be so much more than just playing the “Christian” role. We must not be reduced to merely going through the motions and monotony of a daily routine of religion.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
To be “steadfast, unmovable” in Christ Jesus—this doesn’t sound like some boring ritual that you or I must perform. It’s a determination—one that results in the exploring of what God has planned for us, right down to the details of each new day.
The word “abounding” in the Greek means “to excel.” To go above and beyond, in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ—doing what you could never do in your own strength.
And as you remain steadfast and immovable in this fight—going above and beyond for your Lord and Savior—know that your “labor is not in vain.” Not an ounce of your effort will ever be wasted.
2) TO PRAY (without ceasing)
“…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”
Ephesians 6:18
When you wake up each new day, while your mind is still quiet and uncluttered, it’s important to take some time to pay close attention to Him.
To listen.
Your morning time of prayer and closeness to God will assure that He has your undivided attention, even it’s for a just a few minutes of quiet time before Him. The rest of your day will most likely not allow for such moments of solitude, before the Maker of heaven and earth. So take full advantage of the time you get.
The verse above reminds us of the scope of our prayer partnership with God: to always pray with the help of His ever-attentive Holy Spirit within you. And to “watch” with your prayers and petitions, for all believers everywhere.
It’s a big job with a fair amount of responsibility. So take what God has entrusted you with, and follow Him obediently. He’ll take you into that fight for freedom, for those who are near and dear to you. Or even for those nameless, faceless lives half a world away.
3) TO OBEY (what God is telling you)
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Believe it or not, your obedience to God is a mighty weapon of warfare. To believe God, and then to obey Him, is a real move on the enemy’s stolen territory.
Satan and his minions hate your belief and trust in God. But they FEAR your obedience to Him. Your obedience literally pulls down strongholds, that the enemy is attempting to keep in place.
Many of these strongholds come in the form of “imaginations”—some little lie we may have considered to be true enough, but doesn’t fully agree with the truth of God’s word. Think about how many of these half-truths the average Christian holds within his life on a daily basis.
We MUST daily rely upon the wisdom and presence of God’s Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, to “cast down” any such misunderstandings that don’t line up with scripture.
And we must not forget that just being a few degrees off in the race puts us out into the weeds.
WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT (and AFFECT) AS THIS LAST CHURCH GENERATION
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1st Corinthians 15:50-53
Leave it to our brother Paul to show us this mystery. A magnificent moment, enacted within the very blinking of an eye! As these corruptible, fleshly frames are instantly transformed into the incorruptible likeness of our Savior and Lord!
Of course, this is what many of us now anxiously await. That split-second transformation of our earthly bodies. And for the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as He transports us from the kingdoms of this world, into those heavenly realms of glory!
“We”—the Church of Jesus Christ. “We”—the Bride now awaiting our Bridegroom! And He—so willing to take us to meet our heavenly Father!
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
“We”—the last days body of believers (those who are alive and remain,) shall be caught up (rescued from this world) together with them (those precious forerunners of our faith) into the clouds, to finally, personally, meet our Lord in the air.
What a glorious and victorious day that will be!
Until that soon-coming day, may we utilize each day we’ve now been given, as our Lord’s last-days Church. “We”—who are still present. Still purposed. Still illuminating a dark and desperate world.
It will take some self-denial on your part. As you run your race of faith, in full view of your “enemies.” As you make a conscious choice daily, to turn away from the attitudes and actions of your present-day world—and to openly follow your Life-Giver, onto paths of His own choosing.
Who are you?
You’ve now been given some amazing opportunities to find out.
Come—follow the One who knows you best. Stick with your Friend, who stays much closer to you than any other.
Live your day His WAY. Let His TRUTH overshadow any doubting.
And find that LIFE that only he can provide—one willing and wondrous day at a time.
Be that watchman. That sentry upon the wall. That purposeful prayer partner, in service to your Lord. Make the time, to take the time you’ve now been given.
While you yet live. Yes—while you still (and strategically) remain!
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.