He's Coming!

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. MALACHI 3:1 AMP

As I read today's extract, one sobering thought just sticks out: if indeed it is true that the Lord is coming back, am I ready? Now, I know there are arguments trying to deny this, claiming that there is nothing around us that makes that event a certainty. But then again, i take stock of all God has said and I realize he is actually trustworthy. If he says something will happen, he has the power, capacity and capability to bring it to pass; after all, several promise have already been fulfilled. I had better take stock again and be sure I'm ready.

God promises to send his messenger to prepare and clear the way. John the Baptist has come in the flesh for the physical preparation, but all around us today, we are being reminded again that he is coming. John the Baptist preached repentance; men are sent by God today to preach the same call to repentance. Just as John the Baptist warned men to flee from the wrath to come, so does the same warning go out today. Men have appropriated wealth, connections and possessions to themselves, thinking that these will provide protection or insurance against the coming wrath. Please be reminded that the God who promises to return soon has stated categorically that all we see will be destroyed by fire. The devil has succeeded in distracting us from the things that really matter, and we are busy comparing physical structures and the population, forgetting that all will end up in unquenchable fire. We argue about jets, space and management style, forgetting that the coming wrath is an individual call, not a church- based call. God will not ask me where I worshipped, but if indeed I truly worshipped the Living God. God won't ask me if I did right by what he gave me, but first whether I prepared well for my eternal dwelling. He is coming.

Today, ask yourself, just as I have just asked myself: "Am I ready for judgement"? Let no man deceive you and claim that God is merciful; that is just a part of the whole picture. His mercy is why I am alive today, but his judgment is coming. All I do today is preparation for that one decision that will determine my eternal destination. What would it be for you? What would it be for me? Am I looking forward with expectation, or am I afraid that if he comes now, I may be found wanting? While there is time, please be sure. That song says: Life at best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf, like the binding of a sheaf. If in sin you longer wait, you may find no open gate, and your cry will be just too late, be in time. " His time of favour is here.