MEMORISE: Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:37
BIBLE READING: Romans 13:11-14 (KJV)
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Many years ago, when I just became born again and began to seriously serve the Lord, the message of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was preached often. It was so rampant that we had to beg University students to continue their education; after all, Jesus said “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). The Yoruba Christians had a common greeting amongst themselves that says “Eku afojusona ipada Jesu Christi” meaning “Well done as you look forward to the return of Jesus Christ.” Today, however, there are very few messages that remind people of the Lord’s return. People- pleasing sermons have taken over the pulpit. You would hardly see many Christians living in expectation of the Lord’s return.
A man who is preparing for the Lord’s return will never maltreat his wife. A wife who knows the Lord will return suddenly will respect her husband. An employee who is expecting the Lord’s return will not cheat his or her employer. A preacher who is preparing for the Lord’s return will not withhold the truth from the people of God in his congregation. Every child of God who is truly serious about his walk with the Lord will avoid anything and everything that could hold him or her back from going with the Lord. Whether we like it or not, the Lord will return. If you are a minister of God, you have the responsibility to keep warning God’s sheep, whom He has placed in your care, to keep watching for the return of the Lord. If you, as a minister, are not preparing, it will be difficult for your flock to prepare.
There has never been a time when the message of the Lord’s return is more needful. The world is in serious chaos, yet, millions of God’s children are sleeping. In any case, Jesus Christ already spoke about what is happening in the world today: that many will sleep (Matthew 13:25). It is my prayer that you will not sleep the sleep of death in Jesus’ name.
On the last day, only the faithful of God will be raptured. No matter how deep the world sleeps, Jesus Christ will still return. Therefore, you had better stop playing around and begin to live holy. I have done my duty by telling you the truth, God will not hold me responsible for not telling you. Where you will end up is now left to you.
PRAYER POINT: Heavenly Father, please help me not to sleep the sleep of death. Keep me awake to watch and pray until You return.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 1-2
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – He Will Return – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 25 July 2022
