Covenant Church

What if Jesus came today? What if the heavens resounded with a trumpet blast that woke up the righteous dead? What if graves opened? What if pilots of airplanes, captains of ships, engineers of trains, drivers of busses, and people in all walks of life just disappeared in a millisecond?

What if a husband and wife were kissing and suddenly one held empty space? What if a board meeting of a corporation were in progress and faster than the blink of an eye the Chairman disappeared. What if two soldiers were in a foxhole, and one vanished? What if people just disappeared out of work places? What if people were in church, and some disappeared and some were left wondering what happened?

My son-in-law, Pastor Rob Fultz, and I spent time recently talking about the challenges of ending a church building program. All the time invested in construction must be suddenly converted to other causes. His people who have met in about five different locations in a little over a year have suffered from the ejection from their church building and constant relocations. Returning home to the remodeled building will be a huge change---including increased debt.

I have been through multiple building programs and dealt with the aftermath. Many pastors leave after building programs are completed. Last Sunday I completed 28 years as pastor of Covenant. I want to speak into Pastor Rob's life. I want him to be long-term. Thus, we talked about how to make a successful transition.

A couple of hours after our discussion our family was having dinner. I said, "Rob, one more thing I would add to our previous conversation. We do what we do not for pay, but because we believe there is a heaven and hell. Jesus saved us. We want everyone else to be saved. Our purpose as a pastor is to keep people from going to hell. We bring them to Jesus."

Jesus will come. When? I do not know, though I believe it will be soon. The Bible teaches Jesus will come when the whole world has heard the gospel. Technologically this is now possible. With satellite and radio wrist watches, cell phones, airplanes with banners and loud speakers, and computers that can record languages and decipher them into written form, sharing the gospel with unreached peoples is possible.

Israel is home. All quarrels of ownership aside it does seem to fit scripture that Jews having a nation is a sign of the Coming of Jesus.

The partying spirit of the world is a sign of the Coming of Jesus. Marrying and giving in marriage, eating and drinking as in the days of Noah speaks of people satisfying lust of the flesh.

The Book of Timothy speaks of rebellion. The Book of Matthew speaks of wars and earthquakes. Some say there are no more earthquakes now than in history. However, the loss of life and property from natural disasters is unprecedented.

Lust of the flesh is a sign of the Coming of Jesus. Perversion, arguments for gay rights, open discussion of homosexuality, and legalization of drugs are all signs of a world bent on self-destruction (Revelation 21:8...search out the root meaning of the words).

As the Coming of Jesus gets closer there will be many who will FALL AWAY. They will trade their love for Jesus in for a love of this world. Entire church movements will argue for rights of flesh instead of holiness, e.g., churches advocating for gay clergy.

As the Coming of Jesus rushes to welcome those who are ready to meet Him the Bible prophesies a great move of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's task is to call people to repentance. The greatest revival in all of history will occur just before Jesus returns.

I beg you not to get caught up in carnal living. You must know that in Africa, Asia, China, Europe, South America, North America, Antarctica and wherever there is a mighty move of the Holy Spirit carnality, lust and perversion are disdained. Great revival movements in Indonesia, China, Iran, North Korea, et al, do not advocate for homosexuality, gay rights, abortion, and other sins that clearly violate the integrity of God and his Holy Word.

Jesus may come today. If He does come will you be ready to meet him in peace? Will you leave your place vacant?

Talk about embarrassing. Carry a Bible. Talk Christian language. Go to church. Tell your friends you are a Christian. Be left here with sinners when Jesus comes. Embarrassing is not terrible enough to describe the shock and loss.

Be ready. You do not know when He will come. No time to pray when it happens. Be Ready! Be part of the Great Revival!

Pastor Bare Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (NKJV).