Then out of the smoke crawled locusts with the venom of scorpions. They were given their orders: “Don’t hurt the grass, don’t hurt anything green, don’t hurt a single tree—only men and women, and then only those who lack the seal of God on their foreheads.” Revelation 9:3-4 MSG
I spent a year in ministry school. In one of my favorite classes we focused on the various schools of thought surrounding the ‘end times’. We were divided into groups to research each belief and then argue the points. Every group was able to find Bible verses to back up their theory and time line of predicted events…but how many times can the world really end!?
Ultimately, as a whole, we came to one conclusion: the particulars of the timeline don’t matter (GASP).
Think about it…
The Pharisees and Sadducees, the priests of Israel, so diligently schooled in the prophecies surrounding the coming of a savior didn’t even recognize the true Savior when he arrived as a babe in arms. They didn’t recognize Him when He was moving in a supernatural way, going about His Father’s business, reaching out in miracles for the people. They didn’t recognize Him when He was dying on the cross or when He rose from the dead three days later. They didn’t recognize who He was, is, and is to come.
Does the timeline matter if you don’t recognize Christ when He comes again? Or even worse, He doesn’t recognize you?
In these times, the times leading up to the second coming, it is so important for each of us to intentionally align ourselves with God, by wearing the seal of God on our forehead; a seal of blood no different than the blood smeared across the lintels in the days of Moses (Exodus 12:21-23).
Are you wearing the seal? Have you made the decision to immerse yourself in the blood of Jesus that cleanses you of your confessed sin, gives you life renewed, and makes you whole?
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and only way to receive God’s stamp on our lives is through His blood (John 14:6). When you decide to follow Jesus, all you need to do is choose the simple road: confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord and believe in your heart that He has risen from the dead (Romans 10:9).
Now is the time. The whole purpose for this season was to birth a life laid down, One who would ultimately bring us to Calvary, One who is our home.
God, it seems you’ve been our home forever;
long before the mountains were born,
Long before you brought earth itself to birth,
from “once upon a time” to “kingdom come”—you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 MSG
Don’t wait any longer! When you feel the nudging in your heart to be known by Christ, to have His cleansing blood wash you into freedom, let Him meet you right where you are. Let Him walk with you side by side through your journey of life. Let Him carry you through the temptations and trials you will meet on the road. Know Him and be known by Him.
And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
at the last turn—Zion! God in full view! Psalm 84:5-7 MSG
Say this prayer with me: Jesus, I believe that You are Lord, that You came to earth as man, that You died for my sins and, three days later, rose from the dead. My life has been full of sin as my back has been turned away from You. Now I choose of my own free will to accept You as the Savior of my life. I ask You to reside in me, cover me with Your blood shed at Calvary, and renew my heart.
Now take some time to own up to your sins before God. Speak them out. Get them off of your chest. Give them to Jesus to bear. Then ask Him for forgiveness, mercy, and His gift of grace. Then make a resolution to not walk in those sins again. Purpose every day to be in relationship with your Redeemer.
Accept the best gift you’ll ever receive this year and every year for the rest of eternity.
Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India (writing from Zion, Utah)
Sixty-six books in a year 