As we have ‘seen these things come to pass’ why is God taking so long? A question has been asked.
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. 2 Peter 3:9
There are 33 (3, 3) references to ‘patience’ in the Bible. A ‘double’ of intensity and emphasis by God. He knows how difficult it is for us to be patient, but none-the-less, He still tells us to be patient. Being patient is part of His divine plan for mankind to growth in faith and understanding. If everything happened exactly when and how we expect it to happen, how much faith would that create in us? How much would we trust in God or Jesus?
Yes. It is difficult at times, to live in faith. Now is such a time as ‘we have seen these things coming to pass’ prior to the tribulation. So much so, that many are wondering ‘how much longer.’ How much worse does it have to get before the rapture / harpazo / redemption? Yes, this is a fair and honest question and state of mind.
A little child is excited and can’t wait for Santa Claus to come on Christmas Eve. The child knows that presents will come and goodies, and is in such anticipation that he wonders why Christmas is taking so long to come. ‘Hurry up, I can’t wait any longer.’ Such is innocence and anticipation.
We are not unlike the innocent child with anticipation, except that we ‘don’t know the day or the hour.’ We don’t have the ‘luxury’ of knowing when Christ will come for us. That is on purpose. Once again, it forces us to learn patience and to grow in faith. It forces us to ‘occupy’ and stay focused on Christ and His promises. Even in times like today, as I write this.
God has a plan. It unfolds in His divine timing and purpose. We have to be patient and learn to watch it unfold and to discern the times. There is a prophetic chess board, so to speak. One chess piece is moved and then sits for a while. Another chess piece is moved and sits for a little time. Eventually, they all line up according to God’s strategy.
God is ‘long-suffering’ and patient towards not only those who believe in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, but also towards the ‘unsaved’ world. God has patience towards each and every generation of mankind. Yes, the gospel has to be preached over and over to each new generation. As such, God desires that as many people as possible should hear the ‘good news’ of Christ’s offer of forgiveness and salvation. The times change, the communication methods change and the ‘obstacles’ change, however, the objective and goal remains the same. Unlike what the Vatican has recently said about ‘evangelizing.’ There are places and parts in the world where God is working, of which we know not. From our finite perspective, we look out our window and say ‘I’m ready, let’s go!’ If that is you, you are to be commended. So much so, that Christ has promised a special crown to those who eagerly anticipate and watch for His sudden appearing and redemption of us. However, as 2 Peter 3:9 indicates, God is still working to fill His ‘barn’ to the brim, to fill every table seat at the Bride and Groom’s banquet, to fill all the rooms or mansions built in the Father’s house. Jesus Christ wants to save every ‘jot and tittle’ last soul, so that ‘none should perish.’ So that none should be left behind to perish in the coming wrath. Yes, you read that correctly.
For as long as it takes, prior to the tribulation, God is still operating under His ‘age of grace’ through His Son Jesus Christ. We have to be patient, even though the hour or seconds are very short. The person being saved now, or to be saved shortly, could be a friend, relative, coworker, boss (yes, even those). It could be someone in a foreign country who through their culture, history and false religion finally come to the realization that they have been lied to and now accept Christ. The person could be one of millions of Chinese who are accepting Christ in the face of increasing persecution by the authoritarian regime. The person could be a Muslim in the Middle East who finally sees Islam for what it is, the religion of the dragon or Satan. It might be a Hindu who finally realizes that Ganesh doesn’t bring him good luck as his village floods and his family dies. On and on it goes. Only God knows who will, and who won’t be receptive to His Son’s offer of salvation. It is not for us know. Yet, we must be patience as God works, in these last hours and seconds, to finish filling all the seats at the great banquet.
How can we know this is true? Simple. This is such an important part of God’s plan, that he mentioned ‘patience’ seven (7) times in the Apostle John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ. We know that seven (7) represents God’s divine completion to His plan or purpose. In Revelation 3:10 God distinctly says that because we are found being patient, we will be spared from the coming wrath of the seven (7) year tribulation. God knew, beforehand, that people alive during the time and period right before the tribulation would be anxious and wondering ‘how much longer.’ In this verse he simply says, ‘don’t worry, you’ve been patient, redemption is coming, the wrath is not meant for you.’ I don’t know how any simpler God could say this. The idea of ‘patience’ is so important, that He comments on it seven (7) times. Patience plays a very important part in the divine completion of His plan or purpose on growing faith and understanding. If you eventually came to know that your spouse, brother, sister, adult children were one of the ‘last’ saved during the current epoch or ‘age of grace’, would you be thankful that God was ‘longsuffering’ that none should perish? Let that sink in for a moment.
At a point only known to God, it will be finished, a ‘gathering.’
Revelation 1:9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Revelation 2:3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Revelation 2:19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Revelation 3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 13:10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
These seven (7) verses are ALL referenced in the book of Revelation. These ALL deal with having patience during ‘trying times,’ such as what is faced today throughout the world.
It won’t be long now. Patience. Redemption will come soon enough.
In His Service,
Paul Rolland
Night Watchman.
Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:
The ABCs of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)
A. Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.
. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).
. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).
B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be; that He was both fully God and fully man and that we are saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. Put your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. Become a son or daughter of God by receiving Christ.
. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
C. Call upon His name, Confess with your heart and with your lips that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).
. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).
. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).
. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).
. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).
. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).
. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).
. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).
. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).
. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).