The Gospels give us the record of John the Baptist, and God has made sure that we know how important John was to the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. Luke 1 gives us the record of the angel, Gabriel, appearing to Mary to inform her of her destiny as the mother of Christ. The entrance of John the Baptist into the world was also marked by angelic proclamation and intervention. This gives us some indication of John’s importance. God sent him to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. He was the voice crying in the wilderness. John the Baptist is commonly referred to as an ‘end times’ prophet. Today, the called of God are picking up the mantle he laid down by preparing the way for the second coming of Yeshua, the Lamb of God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:2(NLT) tells us that John the Baptist preached “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” John baptized Jesus Christ. Jesus was then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. There he fasted 40 days and nights, and after his fast, our Lord and Savior was tempted by the devil. After the temptation of Christ, Matthew 4:17(NLT) tells us that he began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” It should be abundantly clear to every person that repentance is absolutely critical. We must turn from our sinful ways, seek God’s forgiveness, and change the way we live.
No Excuses
Born-again believers are the body of Christ; we belong to him. Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us that Jesus Christ has given us life for his body to make her holy and clean, and sanctified by God’s Word. Ephesians 5:27(NLT) affirms, “He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.” We have underestimated God’s allegiance to make sure that we are spiritually prepared according to the level of Ephesians 5:27. This is His standard. He has well-equipped us through the blood of Christ to meet it, and He expects us to do so.
Colossians 3:4-6(NLT) affirms, “4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.” This is not a suggestion. It is the commandment of God. In Colossians 3:4-6, He has told us all we need to know about spiritual preparation. We must put away these sins, because a time is coming, and is soon here, when God will not tolerate our excuses.
What God has in store
Throughout the history of humanity, we can clearly see that we are continually being prepared for what God has in store next. There will never be a time in which we are not anticipating an encounter with an aspect of Heavenly Father that we haven’t yet experienced. This is part of what it means when 1Corinthians 2:9(NLT) proclaims, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
John the Baptist was the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. He was preaching about the coming of the Messiah before Jesus Christ publicly began his ministry. John was considered by many to be extremely radical, some even considered him to be a wild man. He had no use whatsoever for foolishness and was an outsider to the delicacies of Jewish etiquette. Unafraid and intolerant of arrogance, his criticisms of religious hypocrisy were notoriously cutting, and he had many enemies in high places. A rebel at heart, his understanding of his purpose within the Will of God consumed his being. His is a true example of what it means to know one’s purpose and to pick up our crosses and follow Christ.
Somehow, we have gotten it into our heads that God requires less from His sons and daughters today than those whose testimonies and records are written of in His Word. The truth is that He put them in His Word so that we can learn from them, to know about their sacrifices and to understand what God requires of each of us. The times are perilous, there can be no doubt of this. If we will open our eyes and ears, we will see and hear creation warning us that time is drawing near. The window of our spiritual preparation is closing.
When he comes
Some notable Biblical scholars have said that while we may not know the exact time that our Savior will return, we can approximate a year, perhaps even a month. Others say we can’t even come close. Some have even said that there is no apocalypse, and that Christ will not return. Well, the numerous opinions about the second coming of Christ are one of the many reasons it is so incredibly important for us to read and study God’s Word for ourselves. We are to yield to the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher and Guide, and he will confirm the truth in our hearts.
Our Master Jesus teaches in Matthew 24:36-39(NLT), “36 However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” If you’ll close your eyes for just a moment, you can visualize so vividly how this could happen any day now, because most people are oblivious. They think things will continue as they have been, but those of us who are diligently seeking God understand that many are not prepared for the return of Christ. Like in Noah’s days, they won’t realize what is happening until it’s too late.
2Corinthians 5:20(NLT) declares, “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”” This is what God requires of every born-again believer. This is what is important to Him. As a parent, you don’t want to stand before Christ on that glorious day without having done all you can to tell your children about Jesus Christ and to have helped them give their lives to him. As a family member, friend, or co-worker, you don’t want to look him in the face, knowing you had multiple opportunities to speak an encouraging word to someone in need, but didn’t. You don’t want to behold the glory of our Lord knowing you’ve cast people aside because they didn’t look like you and weren’t blessed to know the Lord the way you know him. No, when he comes, we want to be ready, and we should be doing everything we possibly can to hear him tell us, “Well done. You’ve been a faithful servant. Come be with me.” ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 601
“When We Stand Before Him on that Glorious Day!” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2022. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!