1. A CALL TO REMEMBRANCE 8 - 10 Do not forget... (NIV)
a. Remember the words of the Prophets. 8-9a
With the LORD, a thousand years are just like yesterday (Psalm 90:4). His
timescale is not as ours. Time is of no consequence in the context of
Eternity. Yet all of God's prophecies will be fulfilled at their appointed
time: "For the vision is yet for an *appointed time*, but at the end it shall
speak, and not lie: though it may tarry, wait for it; because it will surely
come, it will not tarry" (Habakkuk 2:3).
b. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus. 10, 12
He warned that his second coming will be as a thief in the night (Matthew
24:43). He warned that heaven and earth will pass away; but that his words
will never pass away (Mark 13:31). The 'elements' means the atomic structure
of the universe. The Greeks invented atomic theory, remember. The 'heavens'
means the sky, or outer space. The radioactive element Uranium is named after
the Greek for sky or heaven (OURANOS). U235 caused the elements of Horoshima
and Nagasaki to be dissolved with fire all right! The Lord will return with a
Big Bang of Judgment; and then a New Creation (Revelation 21:1).
2. A CALL TO REPENTANCE 9b, 11-14
a. A Call to Evangelism. 11b Holy Conversation... (KJV)
God wants to allow the widest window for the spreading of the Gospel by word
of missionaries' mouths (9b). He wants the maximum opportunity for the ungodly
to repent and believe the Gospel. Once the Lord returns, "Rien ne va plus". He
came the first time as Saviour; he comes the second time as Judge. We can
actually hasten the second coming by maximising our missionary activities
(12). But the time is short. The window will not remain open for ever.
b. A Call to Holiness. 11b ... and Godliness (KJV)
What sort of persons ought we to be? (11a). "that [we] may be found of him in
peace, without spot and blameless" (14). We are justified by the blood of
Jesus. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Let us walk in the Spirit, and
not gratify the desires of the flesh. The Lord is at hand.
_____________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
