Selfishness Abounds; Vanity, Foolishness in Demanding Jesus Return Now!
by Ken Pullen
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021
ACP — A Crooked Path
If you’ve read What’s wrong with the Bible? you then know, providing you didn’t stop reading before reaching the end, that I was going to write something next about the Garden of Eden. That is still coming. But first, this is in my mind and heart.
The foolishness, the vanity, the ignorance, the utter selfishness in demanding that Jesus return now! And getting upset, questioning why He hasn’t returned yet. Because this has happened, that has happened, come on and get me before the feces hits the fan for real!
What a lost and foolish bunch these calling themselves Christians truly are.
Isn’t it a wonderful and thankful thing that God is in control, that God is Who He is with all the attributes He has and that He is nothing like ignorant, impatient, lost, sinful man and woman?
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:8-13 — English Standard Version
Too many anxious, in fact demanding, or thinking by their actions, their working they can create the environment, move the tumblers of history to open the way for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Selfish, foolish, lost, impatient people not understanding the ways of God, the Word of God. And really un-Christian, un-loving, un-Christ-like in demanding Jesus come so they can get to heaven and all the “bad people” get burned up — without nary a thought, nary a humbling heart or mind bowing towards God. Knowing God knows all. God is in control of all. And that there are still those individuals whose name is written in the Book of Life who have not yet heard, responded, and come into the light out of the darkness into the loving and forgiving heart and arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s okay that you imagine you have your ticket punched to heaven and too bad for anyone else?
THIS is the Great Commission lived and realized? Anyone of this lot ever actually read a Bible? Understand what it truly means to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? Ever read;
The Great Commission
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 — English Standard Version
How would you like it if there were people who imagined they had the power to bring about the end of the world, and you had the opportunity of being saved, but by their selfish actions they cared less about you, all they had in their hearts and minds was themselves? As is the case almost universally at all times in all things — this being how those in the world, without the Holy Spirit, in utter darkness without the knowledge of the Word of God within them respond?
What is the difference in all these professing to be Christian demanding, even vainly imagining they can somehow orchestrate Jesus’ return?
It’s all about God.
And God is in total control. His plan is working. At work. Always. Even though foolish, small, feeble, ignorant man and woman do not see and refuse to even try to see and understand.
God is not slow. God is patient. Kind. Caring. Desiring all who will be saved are saved.
And no one — no one — should ever place a demand upon God, place a time on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle Peter asks;
“…what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!”
What sort of folks are we?
Foolish?
Vain?
Selfish?
Worldly?
Or are we true children of God, true believers in and of the Word of God, true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Deal with it all people. Deal with it all daily and do not demand of the Lord God.
Who are any of us to take such actions?
What have any of us really created? How many of us hold all things together by our will? Can create life? Has made the heavens and the earth? Made anything really?
We’re all dependent upon God for all things. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every dollar, euro, pound, yen, and ruble. Every morsel of food, every stitch of clothing. EVERYTHING. Do we acknowledge this daily? Think on it always?
And we have the arrogance and audacity to demand of God? Demand anything of God? Because we think the time is up and it’s time to wrap things up?
Really?
Why not go off someplace quiet, by yourself if this is what is placed in your heart and mind and seriously contemplate where all this has been coming from, is coming from?
God?
Or someplace else?
And allow God to be God. Allow God to work.
And try having a little more faith, or faith at all.
And try, try a little more kindness and consideration. Of others. And especially of God.
And…if you’re waiting to be caught up in the clouds to have a grand meal, a big party and this will occur prior to such a time of Tribulation and suffering and persecution as the world has never seen and never will again?
Perhaps you ought to prepare. Gird your loins. Learn all the parts of the armour of God. Put them on. Keep them on. Well maintained. And be awake, watching, and ready in this escalating spiritual war. Because nowhere in the Word of God does it clearly, plainly state such a thing will happen.
Really. It isn’t declared in the Word of God.
Is the Lord coming to collect His church? The remnant of true believers? Yes, most certainly, but no one really knows for certain when this “rapture” of true believers will take place. And it is more likely to occur, in the twinkling of an eye when He is seen by every eye coming in the clouds, His Second and final time coming to this sinful earth. To destroy the armies of the world that have risen up against Israel, and against Him and God.
It could be then.
Are you ready for that?
Will you be faithful enough, strong enough to refuse the mark of the beast and endure the consequences? Or, are you so frail, weak, having existed on watered-down skim milk all these years that you could not withstand having your faith tested in such a manner?
IT behooves each one to turn continually, constantly, consistently, purely as possible to the Word of God. To increase in faith, wisdom, strength to endure whatever may come.
Not looking for a way out.
But looking for a way to bring others in.
While there is still time and the door of grace remains open to the Gentiles, the heathen nations of the world.
Mark the time. Watch. Prepare. Be ever vigilant and ready.
And it could be another ________________ years in human marking of time before the Lord returns.
Can you handle that arrogant, anxious, selfish, and foolish one, vain one imagining you can force God to act and do before God knows when and how to act?
Let each of us learn greater obedience to God, greater humility, greater submission, and greater awareness and preparedness. Leaving it all in God’s hands, shall we?
Instead of foolishly thinking we can somehow expedite the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ how about we expend time, consideration, and energy in spreading the gospel so the Word is spread and the Holy Spirit can work in the hearts of those hearing the gospel?
How about more people are saved and come to Christ to have their eternity in heaven, like you want, before all the fire and screaming and wailing and gnashing and everything burned up and dissolved?
How about we try that, go in that direction for a change?
RELATED:
What’s wrong with the Bible?
Unaffected by Change
NEXT TIME…we will be visiting the Garden of Eden.
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