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              Third, the delay causes more time for sinners to be saved and enter the kingdom.  2 Peter 3:3-9 speaks of the time in which we live, wherein “scoffers” will say “where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”  In other words, “you Christians say Christ is going to return soon, yet year after year goes by and all things continue just the same, so you must be wrong, for what you say seems ridiculous.”  But then Peter reminds us in verse 9 why the seeming failure on the part of God to fulfill what Christians keep heralding as a promise of Jesus’ return:  “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  The Lord, in His mercy, delays, that more people might be reached with “saving news” of His glorious gospel and receive life unending.

Continued on next posting. . .

      Secondly, the Lord’s delay gives more time for the bride to get ready.  I heard a man give his testimony of how, as a truck driver, he had a nearly fatal accident.  While in the hospital, as doctors worked frantically over him, they seemingly lost him several times, only to revive his vital life signs several times.  He said that at one of these times, he actually left his physical body and went to a place where Jesus appeared and talked with him.  He did not have time to tell all that the Lord said, but he emphasized with great emotion that the Lord told him to go back and “tell my people that I’m ready to come for my bride, but my bride is not ready.”

Only God knows the depth of the work which must be done in each one who is to be a part of the chosen bride, but according to the Scriptures the bride must be ready.

In Matthew 25:10 we read that “those who were ready went in with him (Jesus) to the wedding.”  And in Revelation 19:7, the message is clear:  “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.”  This again is a test for those who aspire to the high calling of the chosen bride.  As they wait, lamps trimmed and burning (Luke 12:35), will they continue to “pursue” Jesus with all their hearts and make Him the supreme desire and love of their lives?

Continued on next posting. . .

First, the delay provides the Lord with the opportunity to test Christians under certain circumstances that would not be possible in any other way.  The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents (motives) of the heart (Hebrews 4:12), but such “discerning” or “judging” of our motives is most “revealing” when exposed in the context of definite events and circumstances in the experiences of our lives.

When contemplating this in light of what I consider the overwhelming evidence and multitudinous signs which been present and increasing over a number of years, most Christians who are aware of this and living in expectancy of the Lord’s return, tend to have a greater motivation to give themselves to seeking the Lord, study of His word and generally want to live in the conscious awareness of how to please the Lord.  However, when year after year goes by and the Lord has not returned, the human tenancy, even among Christians, is to lose the “cutting edge” of their spiritual interest and “pursuit” of Christ as the primary focus of their lives, and become somewhat careless and indifferent, or even worse begin to turn to more “worldly pursuits” and like the steward of Luke 12:45 let the carnality of the heart get the “upper hand” in one’s life and attitudes.

The language of Luke 12:45 need not just be taken absolutely literally, but indicative of an attitude of selfish ambition which begins to take advantage of others for one’s own advancement, and the “imbibing” of the “spirit” of this world to where one becomes insensitive to spiritual things.  The ultimate in this process is described in Matthew 24:12; “and because lawlessness shall abound, the love of many (Christians) shall grow cold.”  The increasing allurements of a pleasure-mad world become too much to resist, and love for the Lord gets put into “cold storage.” 

Tragically, I have seen this happen:  People whose dedication to the Lord seemed to be solid and steadfast; but time goes by, the Lord delays His coming, allurements of the world increase, gradually these people drift into worldly pursuits, sometimes even flagrant sin, and this “testing time” of the Lord’s delay finds them woefully wanting.

Continued on next posting. . .

This material was originally written by my father, J. Leland Earls, but is still pertinent for today. I have updated it and encourage you to read it.

Has the coming return of our Lord been delayed? If so, why? Maybe this was not only necessary, but likely foreseen and planned for from the beginning. If this is true, then there must be some evidence of it in the sacred Scriptures. This evidence will be offered first. Jesus did not “play around with words.” The very implication indicating what could take place in what He spoke, certainly indicates that such would come to pass; quoting just a few passages now and then later make some comments on them as well as others.

In the parable of the servants who were to be watchful for their master’s return (Luke 12:35-48), although not specifically stated, there seems to be an indication that the master, who had gone away for some reason, did not return just when the servants had expected, and thus we read of the servant who said “my master is delaying his coming” (12:45) and begins to be irresponsible and careless, instead of faithfully watching for his master’s return and to be attentive in diligently seeking to take care of his master’s business.

In Matthew 25:1-13, in the parable of the ten virgins, because of the expectancy of nearness of arrival, the virgins went out to meet the bridegroom, but “while the bridegroom was delayed” they became weary of waiting and began to slumber and sleep.

In Revelation 7:1-3, we read of four angels holding the four winds (of judgment) to be released on the earth. Evidently the angels had already had their instructions as to the time of their release, but another angel comes on the scene and tells them to “hold” the winds “till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” (indicating that more time was needed and thus a delay).

In Revelation 8:1-6, when the seventh seal was opened, and the seven trumpets prepared to sound, suddenly “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

When you read the book of Revelation, you will find that it is based on a pattern that first something happens in heaven, then as a consequence, certain events take place on earth. This pattern is repeated over and over to show that God controls the historical progression of events on earth by His pre-planned symbolic portrayal of certain Divinely ordained actions in heaven. What then can we conclude about the fact that suddenly interposed in these symbolic acts in heaven, just before the seventh seal is opened, (which is the number of the church), and during which seal all events concerning the church (including the translation of the firstfruits saints) come to their final climax and conclusion; that suddenly there is interposed a half hour of silence. This could only mean (based on the pattern of the book of Revelation) that certain Divinely initiated events that were to transpire on earth are “held in abeyance;” in other words, “a delay.” And this delay has to do with His church. And as we have seen from other scriptures, there is a definitely an indication of a delay in Jesus’ return with regard to certain “elect” ones, and the subsequent judgments to follow.

Just what time schedule is God’s “measuring stick” in Revelation 8:1, it is unknown. But certainly, one half hour in heaven, would have nothing to do with the way man measures such time on earth. We do know that the Word of God indicates that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). Based on this time perspective, an hour would equate to just over forty-one years, and a half an hour to approximately twenty and a half years. However, since it says “about the space of half and hour”, we would have to allow a variance of several years longer or shorter. Now this is not saying this is the correct interpretation of this, nor that the Lord in His divine providence definitely determined to “delay” His coming about twenty years. Even if we could say we knew this, we have no way of knowing the time (date) when such a “delay” began.

We can know by the “signs” that His coming is closer. One “sign” was that in the June, 1967, six-day war, the Israeli army captured the entire city of Jerusalem (half of which had been under Arab control until that time). This meant that for the first time Jerusalem was no longer “trodden down” by the Gentiles since it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 B.C., and thus indicating that possibly the “times of the Gentiles” had come to an end (see Luke 21:24), and that this age was about over. There was also the impact in the sixties and beyond of the dramatic “Jesus movement” among multiplied thousands of young people and the “charismatic movement” which reached into most traditional “main-line” denominations with the message of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit including many of Catholic background. There were a number of signs on the world scene also. For many there was a very vivid sense of the Lord’s very soon return.

In His plan, we know that there will come a date beyond which He will absolutely no longer delay. In Revelation 10:5-7, we read of a “mighty angel” raising up His hand to heaven and swearing by Him who lives forever, that there would be “delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished.” (The correct translation is “that there should be delay no longer.”) This terminates the delay period so that the mystery of God should be completed. The mystery, as revealed to the apostle Paul, has to do with the church, and the Lord cannot complete His purpose for the church in the climactic stages of this age until He returns and “calls out” (the word “church” means “called out ones”) that portion of His church which is to be His bride (translating and glorifying their bodies). Then and only then can His “mystery” concerning the rest of the church be finished.

Now if, as the scriptures certainly seem to indicate, the Lord had a preordained plan to “delay” His return to planet earth, then there must be a reason or several reasons which were foreseen by Divine providence as a necessary part of such a strategy. We will suggest the following six reasons:

Continued on next posting. . .

Seven Steps of Generosity

By Kevin W. Earls

“There is one who scatters yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.  The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.  The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”  (Proverbs 11:24–26)

Take three steps away from wrong concepts about Generosity:

(Some concepts to give up.)

1. Stingy:  (non-Giving)

“There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.” (Ecclesiastes 5:13)

2. Subliminal Giving:

“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.” (Luke 18:22–23)

3. Self Interest Giving:

““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:1–4)

Take four steps forward to genuine Generosity:

4. Spiritual Gratitude:

“What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12)

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” . . . Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.” (Acts 9:36, 39)

5. Spiritual Obedience:

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

(1)       The Standard:  The Tithe

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)

(2)       Spirit led Generosity:

(Free-will giving or offerings)

“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38)

(3)       Sacrificial Generosity:

“Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

6. Spiritual Generosity for Vision:

            “However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!” (1 Kings 10:7–8)

7. Supreme Generosity: 

(Motivation of love)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

http://www.kevinwearls.com

When Jesus said he would “build” His church, the Greek work He used is “oikodomeo”, and it is translated in the New testament as “build, built, builders, building, edified, edifies, edify, edifying, edification, and built up.” Thus, you can see that whenever you see the words translated in the King James version “edify”, etc., that it means to build or build up.

I want to list briefly the things given in the New Testament which God tells us are necessary for us to be builders, and which will help build into our lives that which God wants, and thus contribute to the building of the church. In each of the following things listed, the Greek word “oikodomeo” is used to indicate that which builds up or edifies the church. (quotes following are taken from the NKJV).

1. Faith builds: “but you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20).  In contrast, doubt, fear, unbelief, etc., tear down and destroy.

2. The word of God builds: “So now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up.” (Acts 20:32).  See also Mt. 7:24-27.

3. Love builds: “knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (builds up).” (1 Cor. 8:1). “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond (uniting, building factor, like mortar, which holds together) of perfection (completeness or maturity). (Col. 3:14).

4. Right speech builds: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephes. 4:29). “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.” (Col. 4:6).

5. Right attitudes build: “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.”  (Rom. 14:19, 15:2). See the Beatitudes of Mt. 5:3-12.

6. Greater depth in Christ builds: “rooted and build up in Him and established in the faith,” (Col. 2:7). The “work of God” is to believe INTO Jesus Christ (see John 6:29, where the King James uses the word “in”, but a literal translation of the Greek word eis is “into”).

7. God-ordained ministry builds: “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together; grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:20-22). “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some, prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-12).

8. The ministry of each member builds: “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edifying.” (1 Cor. 14:26). “… from whom the whole the body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph. 4:16).

9. Gifts of the Spirit build: “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men … for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification … Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. (1 Cor. 14:3-5, 12).

10. Spiritual sacrifices build: “… you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5). “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Heb. 13:15-16).

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Jesus Christ; Matthew 6:33

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