Be There Soon

As New Testament believers, we are truly living in the end times. Two thousand years ago, Jesus promised His people that He would return. Many probably believed that they would see His second coming in their own lifetime. But here we are, in the year 2015; waiting with eager anticipation, yet an honest fear. When turning on the news, it doesn't take long to see evidence of end times fulfillment. We can take Jesus seriously when He says to be on our guard. Each new day is a grace-filled opportunity to share the Gospel with a lost and twisted world. Each new day says, 'there is still work to be done'. Each new day reminds us that we serve a long-suffering God who wishes that no one would perish, but all would come to a knowledge of Him. That's must be our mission! But what will happen when the day is finally here; when we meet Jesus face to face and life as we know it is over? Revelation gives us a sneak peek. We are told that Satan will be destroyed, and humans will be judged. It isn't a matter of if; it's a matter of when: (Revelation 20:7-15)

The Judgment of Satan

7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The Judgment of the Dead

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

If there isn't a sense of urgency to share the good news of the Gospel with those who are far from God, then Satan has won the battle of complacency in our hearts. The opposite of love isn't hate; it's indifference. I claim to love people, yet sharing my faith is incredibly difficult for me. I freeze in fear, and often choose silence over courageous truth. That isn't love. When we stand before the King of Kings and Lord or Lords, God doesn't want to condemn us for our indifference and our failures to act. He wants to praise us for boldly and apologetically sharing Him with the lost. He wants to say "Well done, good and faithful servant!" No, our salvation isn't dependent on works. But faith without works is dead. And God wants every name written in the Book of Life. And so, He waits. But the day is coming. And none of us will escape His judgement; we will be held accountable. As believers, we can have confidence that our names will be found in the Book of Life. But what about the neighbor or co-worker or relative that's been on your heart? Tomorrow isn't a guarantee. Share Jesus today.