And The Church Says “Maranatha”

“But of that day and hour [when Jesus returns] no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” – Matthew 24:36-39

People have made predictions about Jesus imminent return for years.  Books have been written about it.  I have read many of them.  But it is all guess-work. The truth is – nobody knows – only the Father. It is His choice and He has not revealed it even to the angels. The term “eschatology” (eska-tology) is a part of theology concerned with the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. This concept is commonly referred to as the "end of the world" or "end times". The book of Revelation is about eschatology. Someone asked me if I read Revelation. Of course I have – a number of times – but I told them that I don’t focus on it – I was having enough of a challenge applying the other 65 Books of the Bible and be faithful in right living. Obviously the Book of Revelation, like the other 65 Books, was given for our benefit.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

That is not my point.  My point is that as the days grow darker – and they are darker – that we should not be looking to the East with the hope that Jesus will suddenly appear – and He will one day – and get us out of this mess.  I suspect that darkest days are still ahead.  This is merely the worst that we have seen. I was talking to a friend – someone who has served with us in Mississippi and Haiti about this very issue yesterday.  We were talking about the fact that what is happening in our country – the great falling away and the embracing of things clearly contrary to God and His Word – have spiritual roots.  It is the only explanation of how people can believe and embrace those things – how people who believe them can have such power and influence over the people who do not. 

And the Church says “Maranatha”. Maranatha is a transliteration of Aramaic words that means “the Lord is coming” or “come, O Lord.” Ok, so I find that I should explain my explanation. A transliteration is to write or print (a letter or word) using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or script. Moving on ….. There are a lot of aspects of eschatology that I am not going to address – let me just leap to the BIG fact – Jesus IS coming back. If it is while my generation still walks the earth – Hallelujah! But it may well not be. God, the Father, makes that decision in the context of His grace and mercy. 

So what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Well – we are to be salt and light – to endure with faith in our hope in Christ. We are not to yield to the pressure of our culture and the prince of the power of the air. Even if we find ourselves standing alone.  We are the Ecclesia – the Church – the called out ones. We are to be a light on a hill. Like the sons of Issachar – two of the mighty men of David, who understood the times, we are to live and walk by the Spirit and be found faithful. There is so much pressure to conform and accept what is wrong as what is right.  The Word of God does not change. Truth does not change. Now is not the time to neglect your faith.  Every day we must put on the full armor of God if we are to stand and shine in the midst of this darkness.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 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 6:10-18

Maranatha!