I'm back -
Thank you for all your prayers during my procedure. I am waiting on a call from the urologist to answer a few questions I have post-op. I'm not sure if everything is coming along as it is supposed to.
This is my third time having this procedure (and I know they are always unique to where the stone is in the kidney) and the stones are not exiting the body as they have in the past. Based on the other two procedures, I should have passed 20-30 small fragments of stone by now and I have only passed a few.
Anyway -
I have a serious and deep theological question for all the saints out there -
Can Jesus come back at any moment?
Yes, that is a serious question, and no, it's not a trick question. Some believe that He can come back this minute and others believe certain criteria must be met by man before He will return.
I would like a "yes" or "no" followed by an reason why you believe your answer.
Here are some Scripture references that should be helpful; Matthew chapter 24, Revelation chapters 6 and 14 (these are just a few but are not meant to be a complete help).
What say you?
15 comments:
Yes, he can, I think.
And I've never been able to shake the idea that he would be displeased with me and that it would be a scary experience for me, no matter what I'm doing at the time.
I think He can come back when He pleases to, He is God after all, and He is still calling the shots.
Joe,
Christ is pleased with you because of when you put Him on (clothed in His righteousness)in your baptism. he won;t be pleased by anything that you yourself do towards righteousness.
"All our righteous deeds are as filthy rags."
(Gal. 3:27)
Joe -
Yes - The thought of the imminent return of Christ should keep us focused on walking that narrow path and not be caught off guard at His return.
But please read the references that I mentioned.
Go a little deeper into the Scriptures and help me discern whether or not man plays a role in His return.
Steve -
Yes - God is God and He does call the shots.....no argument there from me.
But is ther anything 'hindering' Christ from returning this moment?
Wayne,
I'm sorry to hear that the procedure didn't go exactly how you would have liked, but it's good that you're back and blogging again!
I'll leave this question alone as it's not addressed to me.
Cheers,
Matt - The urologist is telling me to wait a week and see what happens...you would think for $27,000 I would get a better response :)
I meant to say Revelation chapter 7 and 14......not chapter 6.
Sorry about that.
"I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, FROM EVERY NATION, TRIBE PEOPLE and LANGUAGE"
I guess Jesus is not coming back until every nation, tribe people and language has been evangelised! And that's for a start.
God bless Wayne - will continue to pray!
Neil
Neil -
Look a little further....the angel said to John that these (from every nation, tribe, people and language) came out of the Great tribulation period.
This would mean that these people were saved and entered Heaven after the rapture had already happened.
Would you agree?
So what does "every nation, tribe, people, and tongue" include? Every human being on the planet, or just one per region or cultural group?
Anyhow, yes, I think man does play a role; however, that does not mean he dictates the ultimate direction of his future or the time of Christ's return. God is in control, although I don't believe He is a Divine Puppeteer.
It wouldn't seem logical to consider man having a role to the extent that it requires us to evangelise every human being on this earth, since that is impossible without God's direct involvement.
Wayne Yes you are right! - I linked that verse to Matthew 24:14"And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come" - perhaps I need to study this further.
Neil
Wayne,
Nothing hinders God. He will do as He will do.
If he wants to come back at 11:43 tonight, He will do so.
He is patient, however, and I believe He is bringing in as many as He can, until that final Day.
That Day when the Word is no longer being heard at all.
(just my opinion)
Steve - Yes! God is not slack as some think......He is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance!
Neil -
The Gospel will be preached to the ends of the Earth 'and then the end will come.'
The rapture can happen right now if God chooses to make it so and that Prophecy will not be unfulfilled.
The folks from every tribe, nation, people and tongue will be preached to because we know that they are in Heaven in chapter 7.
They are there post rapture because the angel tell John that they came out of the Great tribulation.
The question then becomes; how did they get there? Who preached to them if the church has already been raptured?
In chapter 6 God sets apart the 144,000 jews from the 12 tribes to be witnesses for Christ. These Jews for Jesus will be part of the greatest evangelism campaign the world has ever seen!!
On top of all that, the world stills has one more chance to repent and trust the Gospel......
In chapter 14 verse 6 of Revelation we see that there is an angel that appears to mankind and proclaims the 'everlasting gospel' to every tribe, nation, tongue and people.
After this last proclamation of the Gospel the end does indeed come fulfilling Jesus' prophecy.
So yes! Jesus can come back right this minute if He chooses to and I look forward to it!!
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Joe -
"So what does "every nation, tribe, people, and tongue" include? Every human being on the planet, or just one per region or cultural group?"
All it would take is just one person per people group to fulfill this prophecy.....but we know that there is more than one person per people group. In Revelation 7 these folks are described as a multitude!
So there will be many -
Wayne
Thanks for these enlightening comments they have been very useful!
Neil
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