The end of all things is near;
Insights: Thomas R. Schreiner
wrote, “The imminence of the end should function as a stimulus to action
in this world. The knowledge that
believers are sojourners and exiles, whose time is short, should galvanize them
to make their lives count now.” Notice
some of the words Schreiner used to describe the impact of Jesus’ promise that “the
end of all things is near.” He used the
word “stimulus” which means an “agent, action, or condition that elicits or
accelerates a physiological or psychological activity, an incentive.” So, what kind of action do you think Jesus
had in mind for us to take as His disciples?
Before we answer that question let’s look at a couple of other words
Schreiner used. The next couple was “sojourners
and exiles.” So many Believers have
forgotten this reality of our existence.
Earth, as it presently exists, is NOT our home. Yet so many toil and spin acquiring
possessions and wealth as if this earth were really all that mattered. Yet the Bible, like Schreiner, calls our
existence on earth as a sojourn. In
other words, we are just passing through this life until we get to our city and
home. The last word of Schreiner’s I
want you to notice is “galvanize” which means “to arouse awareness or spur
something on.” In modern day linguistics
we are probably more used to using the word to describe iron or steel which has
been coated with rust-resistant zinc, but that was not the original meaning of
the word. So, let’s start putting this week’s
picture together. Jesus return is
imminent and as a result it ought to elicit an activity from us because we are
now aware that when He comes again He is taking us to our true home. What is the action, then, for which we are
being galvanized to take? The remainder
of the week will address four of those actions found in this passage of
Scripture we are unpacking. Everything
we will look at in specific, however, has one final objective. In other words, we are going to look at parts
of a whole. The whole or final objective
for which we are being stimulated and galvanized into action is
evangelism. Our time on earth is short
because Jesus’ return is NEAR. Any
opportunity we might have to tell a loved one about Jesus’ gift of grace ends when
He comes and takes us home. Because we
are not promised a tomorrow, we need to take every advantage of today. Beloved, share Jesus!
Questions:
- Have you truly grasped the reality that Jesus could
return at any moment?
- Does this truth affect the way you live your life?
Prayer: O Jesus, my wonderful Savior, I am so grateful You are coming
back just as You promised. May this fact
impact the way I approach each day and may I live in such a fashion that You
are brought glory. Amen.
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