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As I write this, it is early Sunday morning, resurrection Sunday morning; the day Jesus rose from the dead.
In a few hours, services will be held, messages will be preached, and people who normally do not attend church will come.
There will be eggs, candy, gifts, and festive meals. It will be a celebration.
But on the other hand, it will be just another day.
People will awaken with a headache from too much alcohol.
They will awaken with the same hopeless despair they took to bed.
There will be plans to disrupt the celebration events of Christians, Jews, and any other religious gathering.
Why point this out?
Growing up (in America), holidays were a big deal. Businesses closed for the day, and families put on their (Sunday) best and attended services honoring the holiday.
Over the years, businesses began opening their doors, and families gradually stopped attending holiday services.
The result is the sadness mentioned above.
However, there is a reason for it.
As a Christ-follower, I believe my steps are set in place by my Father, who is carrying me to a plan and purpose for His glory and my eternal benefit.
It is no coincidence that my daily Bible reading had me in the New Testament book of Matthew, chapter 24, where Jesus talks to his disciples about the end of time (as we know it).
This isn’t an exhaustive study, but rather a summary of what the Lord said, and why I point out the events of this day.
Jesus said:
Watch out that no one deceives you—Matthew 24:4.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars—Matthew 24:6.
Nation will rise against nation—Matthew 24:7.
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death—Matthew 24:9.
Many will turn away from the faith (Matthew 24:10).
Wickedness will increase,se and love will grow cold—Matthew 24:12.
The gospel (good news of Jesus) will be preached worldwide—Matthew 24:14.
Any one of these could be cause for concern, but when they happen (and multiply) at the same time, it is cause for alarm.
Deception is a strong tool of the enemy. There is an Old Testament story (2 Chronicles 18:18-22) in which a deceiving spirit was sent to the prophets of God to proclaim the word of the Lord falsely.
Today, there are deceiving messages meant to make you “feel” good, but that do not address the sin issue that keeps you bound in the sin.
Deception is much more subtle than someone saying, ” Don’t believe this or that.
For example,
“The skeptic swore, “There is no God! No God! – I can do anything I want!
I’m more animal than human; so-called human intelligence escapes me.
“I flunked ‘wisdom.’ I see no evidence of a holy God.”
Proverbs 30:1-3
The Message
Deception abounds in the world today.
The increase in anti-Semitism is undeniable. The nation of Israel is not only hated, but its people are being targeted and persecuted worldwide.
Even in America, which as a nation stands with Israel, anti-Semitism has shown its ugly self.
Israel stands alone because they are hated around the world.
Church attendance in America is down to 30% of the population, compared to 49% 50 years ago.
Although a revival is taking place in Gen Zers (age 16-30), the decline in church attendance is attributed to three things:
Older Americans dying
Boomers no longer attending
Millennials nare ot seeing the relevance
Amazingly, approximately 40% of the global population has yet to be reached with the gospel. It is believed that roughly 7,400 people groups in remote or isolated areas of the world have not received the gospel.
Why point this out?
I point this out because we clearly live in the latter period of this age.
As we celebrate this day (Jesus is alive), we are reminded that the time of his return is drawing closer (although no one but God alone knows the precise time).
However, and perhaps the most significant, Jesus said,
The one who stands firm until the end will be saved—Matthew 24:13.
The joy of the resurrection is a reminder to stay the course, keep the faith, and not allow anything to move us away from the truth of the message.
Jesus is alive, and he will return at an appointed time of the Father’s choosing.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Humanity has entered a time of historical proportions, and being close to God will mean the difference between finding spiritual freedom or a deepening of spiritual bondage.
Stay close.