Let us be ready to meet Christ

There is one thing that I have been reflecting on more lately. Maybe it is because I am getting older. The topic is heaven

Jesus put great importance on heaven and His coming. Matthew 24 goes in to some detail on this. Some key ideas in this chapter are:

- Signs before Christ's return are:

1) There will be great upheaval in the world before His return.

2) There will be great persecution.

3) Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.

4) Many false prophets and teachers.

5) Wickedness will increase and the love of most will grow cold.

- When He comes for His saints:

1) There will be much mourning among non-believers.

2) Christ will gather His saints, and leave the rest for judgement.

3) No one knows the hour Christ will come.

4) Life will be happening as normal.

5) It will be a surprise appearance.

- What are we to do?

1) Keep watch.

2) Be ready.

3) Be faithful to Christ and wise.

4) Be faithful to what Christ has called you to do.

- What happens with those who are not doing what they should be doing?

They will not spend eternity with God, and will be judged with an everlasting judgment.

Let us not get so caught up in ourselves and this life that we are not caught off guard. Let us seek first Christ's kingdom first and live in His righteousness that we may be taken up to meet Him when He comes.

Repent God's People & God Will Heal Your Land

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

As I read this verse again this morning, God showed me that we often misuse or misunderstand this verse. We tell the people if they humble themselves, pray and seek God. God will heal the land. Others add when the nation turns from its evil ways, God will heal the land. We miss the whole point of the verse.

God is not speaking to the nations of the world. He is speaking to His people. He says, when the nation of Israel (his people) repent that He will forgive their sins and heal their land.

In today's context, it is when the church repents that he will heal the land that the church dwells in. The verse is not for unbelievers to repent, but for God's people to repent. The church is the salt and light. If we are not living according to God's will, we are no longer salt and light. We the church are key to the blessings of God upon our land. We the holy church are the ones who are able to stem the tide of God's judgment.

Remember when Abraham pleaded for Sodom. The Lord said he would not destroy it if He found 10 righteous people in it.

This verse is not saying that the unbelievers are to humble themselves and repent. This verse is not calling us to intercede for our nation. This verse is calling His church (people) to repent.