2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
This week marks the start of the topic of end times which the church is preaching and the cell groups are discussing in-depth. From rapture to tribulation and then to the new heaven and new earth, there's a lot of interest in the many views and interpretation of what is written in various prophesies and visions recorded in the bible.
Saturday, we discussed about scoffers. People or christians who have heard so much about the second of Christ that over the years they grow skeptical or dulled to the fact. It was a call for everyone to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and be ready for the return of Christ.
Have you ever stood on the edge of a swimming pool, safe and secure, just to have a friend push you down into the waters? As you fell from your secure, dry position, the only reason why you got sabotaged was because you did not remain alert and on goard against any pranksters.
Likewise, its very important to note that the writers of the new testment spoke constantly on the need to be on guard and to stand firm in faith. For the devil knows his end is due and is actively prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The devil is not a prankster friend awaiting to push you into a pool, rather he is a evil threat aggressively attempting to push you into the lake of fire.
Humanly, everyone laments the fact that the bible doesn't reveal the actual date and incidence of the second coming, so how can we keep waiting in anticipation? But no one can ever deny the many biblical warnings that are told to us to not loose our faith. Revelations 20 records that on the final day of judgement, everyone would be judged on how we lived and if we stood firm in our faith. With the final conclusion of the end of time written in black and white, why should we choose to fall from a secure position of eternity in heaven?
On June 18, AD 64, a fire broke out in Rome that burned for ten days and destroyed much of the city. Most people suspected that Nero himself started the fire, ostensibly to rebuild Rome, so to allay the rumors Nero blamed the Christians. They died by methods of mockery; some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and then torn by dogs, some were crucified, some were burned as torches to give light at night.
History records that Nero's cruel, appalling acts resulted in sympathisers as ordinary citizens watched Christians martyred for their faith. I shudder at the methods used as they stood firm and never fell from their security of staying true in their faith in Jesus Christ, in spite of tormenting and painful death.
I'm sure you have heard many upteenth times the end times are periless and you need to be on guard. May this warning always ring in your head and remain raw in your heart that you would never fall from your secure position. An eternity in Heaven is worth it.
Blessings,
M.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18)
