Jesus is coming sooner than some think!

[LifeHiscost]

I'd laugh my head off if Jesus came in the clouds today, and half the Adventists wouldn't believe it was him because it wasn't the 'right order'.

If you will remember that was the case with the religious when Jesus came the first time. What it led to was hardly a laughing matter. And the same scenario in one respect very well could happen as you've imagined.

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Matthew 25:1,2,5-13 KJV underlining mine LHC

"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 3:9 KJV

Blessings!

[LifeHiscost]

Agreed in all points: being ready now does not mean being a knife-edge of perfection or unconfessed sins where if I slip and swear as the bus hits me I'm damned. It means being fully relaxed within Jesus' work of salvation, so that He covers me every moment.

(And yes, it also means the Spirit is helping me to eradicate all those bad old swearwords lurking in my brain so they *don't* slip out at moments of stress!)

TU

And having been run over by a bus (actually it was a truck) I can vouch that He (the Holy Spirit) does just what you said. Blessings!

[Woody]

Has there been a "delay"? What's He waiting for anyway-- a certain time, or something else?

"But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God's purposes know no haste and no delay." DA 32

[John317]

The quote you give does not have to do with the Second Coming. It has to do with the first coming of Christ. God had predicted the very year of Christ's first coming. Daniel 9: 24-27. That is completely different from the Second Coming.

It is plain from both the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible that the Second Coming is not according to time. The Gospels themselves contain evidence of a "delay." God is not waiting for a particular time. He is waiting for a certain spiritual condition in the church.

See 2 Peter 3: 12; GC 425, 428. LDE 36-38.

Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the world would before this have been warned and the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and great glory. DA 633, 634

See the context of the quote:

Quote:

But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God's purposes know no haste and no delay. Through the symbols of the great darkness and the smoking furnace, God had revealed to Abraham the bondage of Israel in Egypt, and had declared that the time of their sojourning should be four hundred years. "Afterward," He said, "shall they come out with great substance." Gen. 15:14. Against that word, all the power of Pharaoh's proud empire battled in vain. On "the self-same day" appointed in the divine promise, "it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt." Ex. 12:41. So in heaven's council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

"When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son." Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiah's coming.

At this time the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave.

As the Jews had departed from God, faith had grown dim, and hope had well-nigh ceased to illuminate the future. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people, death was a dread mystery; beyond was uncertainty and gloom. It was not alone the wailing of the mothers of Bethlehem, but the cry from the great heart of humanity, that was borne to the prophet across the centuries,--the voice heard in Ramah, "lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Matt. 2:18. In "the region and shadow of death," men sat unsolaced. With longing eyes they looked for the coming of the Deliverer, when the darkness should be dispelled, and the mystery of the future should be made plain. DA 32, 33

[Woody]

If God is waiting for a condition of the church. Then it is up to Him to provide the means of the condition that is required.

[Gerr]

If God is waiting for a condition of the church. Then it is up to Him to provide the means of the condition that is required.

Indeed He has!!! He has given the remedy. Read Rev 3:14-22. He is waiting for His people to implement the cure. He will not force us to take the medicine.

Gerry

[John317]

If God is waiting for a condition of the church. Then it is up to Him to provide the means of the condition that is required.

As Gerry said, God already has. Both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy speak to this issue many times.

The thing the church has to understand-- and many already do-- is that God is not going to force the church and individuals to fulfill His plan for them.

Did He force Israel? Neither will He force the church. It's up to us to fully cooperate with Him. He waits but He won't wait indefinitely.

[Woody]

When God wants things to be fulfilled ... he will accomplish that through His Spirit.

[John317]

When God wants things to be fulfilled ... he will accomplish that through His Spirit.

"We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel, but for Christ's sake His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequences of their own wrong course of action." Ev. 695, 696

"By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God." (2 Peter 3: 12) See DA 633

"He has put it in our power, through cooperation with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an end." Ed 264

According to Rev. 3: 20, Jesus won't force the door of our hearts and lives open. We have to turn the latch every day from the inside and invite Him in.

[Kountzer]

This little time we have had on this earth, collectively speaking, is barely a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. As the verse goes to God a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. So, when we say that we heard about sunday blue laws 30 years ago, and it still hasn't happened, we fail to consider how heaven looks at time.

[John317]

I think that's an important point. It's easy not to understand that or to forget it if we once understood it. In heaven's view, too, I'm sure 1844 was only a short time ago.

[Woody]

Quote:

"As Joshua pleaded before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and unfaltering faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus, their Advocate. They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness; and they are ready to despair.

The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. He endeavors to affright them with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God.

Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins that he has tempted God's people to commit, and he urges his accusations against them, declaring, that by their sins they have forfeited divine protection, and claiming that he has the right to destroy them. He pronounces them just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. "Are these," he says, "the people who are to take my place in heaven, and the place of the angels who united with me? They profess to obey the law of God; but have they kept its precepts? Have they not been lovers of self more than lovers of God? Have they not placed their own interests above His service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at the sins that have marked their lives. Behold their selfishness, their malice, their hatred of one another. Will God banish me and my angels from His presence, and yet reward those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do this, O Lord, in justice. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them."

But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them." PK 589

This is what those IN Christ will look like when Jesus comes. The Remnant will be sinners with bad characters but characters which have repented and have been forgiven.

Jesus is coming soon.Yes. But we must now be ready and ready means that we are being forgiven of our sins. Like the last sentence says above ... we will fail ... but we will repent and be forgiven.

So, it is all about relationship. A relationship with Jesus. Do you accept Him as your Saviour? If so ... then you are ready for His soon coming. In this case ... His yoke WILL be easy and His burden light.

[John317]

They will be forgiven, for sure, but they will be more than forgiven. By God's grace and their own diligent effort, they will be over-comers. See GC 623, 425. Jesus' will is for us to use this time to separate sin from us. When Jesus comes, those He finds prepared will have character similar to the character of Christ.

Study the last chapters of Great Controversy. The books of Daniel and Revelation teach the same.

"It rests with us to cooperate with the agencies which Heaven employs in the work of conforming our characters to the divine model. None can neglect or defer this work but at the most fearful peril to their souls." GC 623

[fccool]

Not for those who die. Any second I could die and the next thing I know .... I see Jesus coming in the clouds. Thinking that you have more than one second of time on this earth is dangerous theology.

Folks .... we must be ready NOW. Don't postpone it and think you have time. You don't.

Now now... Don't twist what I was trying to say. Any second... means a period of time. From the context of the world... Jesus will not be coming any second.

Sure you can die today, but it will not speed up His arrival anymore for the rest of us.

But, I know what you mean. We should really be ready.

[Bravus]

I get the whole 'a day is like a thousand years and vice versa to God' thing. But then that seems to give the lie to our preaching earnestly that the Second Coming is at hand, even at the door. Except in the general sense that it is always at hand. Sure, the 2000 years since the First Coming are only a couple of days in God's reckoning. But was there some special urgency in the mid-19th century? Or was that a mistake?

Not attacking, trying to understand... but I have to admit, I see a lot of twisting around and equivocating on these questions. Is the end imminent, in some real and human-scale sense, or is there an excellent chance we'll all still be here on Earth in 3000 and 4000 AD?

[Woody]

In the year 3000 or 4000 AD ... I do expect that we will be here on earth. The Earth made new. Our home for eternity.

[Woody]

Quote:

Study the last chapters of Great Controversy.

Do you not accept the book Prophets and Kings .. or just not this particualar quote?

[Bravus]

/me points at Redwood and jumps around: non-millenialist!!!

(3000 is less than 1000 years from now, and as I understand it tradiational Adventist beliefs have us in heaven for 1000 years before the establishment of the New Earth)

[Woody]

/me points at Redwood and jumps around: non-millenialist!!!

(3000 is less than 1000 years from now, and as I understand it tradiational Adventist beliefs have us in heaven for 1000 years before the establishment of the New Earth)

Thats why I said 3000 OR 4000 ... Okay. I was close.

[Bravus]

[melvin mccarty]

Why not join with the pope in telling folk that humans need a break every week. Most people have a 5 day week anyhow so why the fuss? Just suggest that Saturday also be included in the weekend. I do not believe that the six days of labor per week is mandatory...do you?......mel

[aldona]

Quote:

I do not believe that the six days of labor per week is mandatory...do you?......mel

If not, then resting on the Sabbath is not mandatory either.

"Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work" is part of the fourth commandment just as surely as "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, and on it thou shalt do no work".

When we try to pick and choose which parts of the commandment we think are mandatory and which are not, we are potentially on dangerous ground.

A while ago my husband prayed for God to show us if we are really supposed to labor for 6 days each week. Since then we have been given so much work that 6 days feels like it's not enough, and we could be fully occupied for another couple of days a week as well. (paid as well as unpaid work, household duties, church choir and other music work, etc.)

aldona

[melvin mccarty]

But...but...I'm retired Aldona

Sad for me huh? :-)...mel

[Gerr]

But...but...I'm retired Aldona

Sad for me huh? :-)...mel

I've had a number of people tell me that they are more busy now that they are retired than before!!!

Gerry

PS

A rocking chair is not the healthiest/safest place to be in.

[John317]

Quote:

Study the last chapters of Great Controversy.

Do you not accept the book Prophets and Kings .. or just not this particualar quote?

I accept all of Ellen White's writings. You make it appear, though, that the paragraphs you quote are describing the people of God just before Christ returns.

But your quote from Prophets and Kings is not describing the people of God during the final warning and time of trouble described in GC 603-634.

The following paragraphs from Prophets and Kings deal with God's people in the time of the end, and you will notice they talk about the "earthliness" being removed and about their being brought forth as gold so that the image of Christ may be perfectly revealed. This is exactly what Ellen White says about them in COL and in the Great Controversy.

Here are the very next paragraphs after the ones you quoted:

PK 589-592

Quote:

The assaults of Satan are strong, his delusions are subtle; but the Lord's eye is upon His people. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but Jesus will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness will be removed, that through them the image of Christ may be perfectly revealed.

At times the Lord may seem to have forgotten the perils of His church and the injury done her by her enemies. But God has not forgotten. Nothing in this world is so dear to the heart of God as His church. It is not His will that worldly policy shall corrupt her record. He does not leave His people to be overcome by Satan's temptations. He will punish those who misrepresent Him, but He will be gracious to all who sincerely repent. To those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christian character, He will give all needed help.

In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence. The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish and humiliation of God's people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory. A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross.

God's faithful, praying ones are, as it were, shut in with Him. They themselves know not how securely they are shielded. Urged on by Satan, the rulers of this world are seeking to destroy them; but could the eyes of God's children be opened as were the eyes of Elisha's servant at Dothan, they would see angels of God encamped about them, holding in check the hosts of darkness.

As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, "Take away the filthy garments," and the encouraging words are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." Zechariah 3:4. The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. A "fair miter" is set upon their heads.

While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Revelation 14:4, 5.

Now is reached the complete fulfillment of the words of the Angel: "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant the Branch." Zechariah 3:8. Christ is revealed as the Redeemer and Deliverer of His people. Now indeed are the remnant "men wondered at," as the tears and humiliation of their pilgrimage give place to joy and honor in the presence of God and the Lamb. "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem." Isaiah 4:2, 3.

Add to that these paragraphs from the Great Controversy--

"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book." Daniel 12:1.

When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received "the latter rain," "the refreshing from the presence of the Lord," and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received "the seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done;" and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven," is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God's long-suffering has ended." GC 613, 614

GC 425:

Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.

When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive to Himself will be a "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Ephesians 5:27. Then she will look "forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Song of Solomon 6:10.