Or does it?
Everyone of us has received a wake up call from God. If we respond properly, events of recent weeks can be an exhortation from God to the ecclesia of the last days. And His exhortations are always more powerful than any that we receive from a platform on Sunday.
The divine hand
There is ample evidence of the angelic arrangements of recent events. A Scud missile lands in a deserted bomb shelter in Tel Aviv. The families scheduled to occupy that shelter just happened to decide to go to one a block away. Russia stands by while one of her patron states is blasted by a U.S.-led coalition. This could never have happened two years ago; then the U.S. would have feared Russian retaliation. But not now, with Russia in a period of weakness and desperately in need of western economic help. Here was a window in history when the U.S. could attack Iraq and right in that window Iraq provided the excuse by invading Kuwait.
And why should Iraq be so stubborn about getting out of Kuwait? She had sacked the place and took enormous wealth. Why not get out and leave herself intact to invade again when the allied powers had gone home? Just like Pharaoh, Sad-dam’s mind seems to have been hardened to the end of Iraq’s destruction.
How clearly we can see all nations drawn into the Middle East. How easily Israel could provoke such a gathering of nations against herself. We have seen how quickly events can turn; we have been forcibly reminded how quickly prophecy could be fulfilled. We realize that Israel will be delivered by Christ and the glorified saints. We know of no prophecy that needs to be fulfilled before Christ could call together the elect of all ages.
How do you react?
No doubt many of us have been surprised at our own reactions. Our mind is joyous at the prospect of the coming of our Lord with its wonderful blessings of peace on earth. Yet that same mind can feel fear and apprehension as we wonder how we personally will fare at the judgment seat. Will we make it or won’t we?
Nothing makes us look at ourselves more objectively than the prospect of imminent examination by Christ. We can deceive other people, but we know we cannot deceive him. Worldly achievements, prestigious jobs, a high reputation in the brotherhood, the adoration of our families will not sway his view of us. What will he see when he looks on us at judgment day?
Right clothing
Matt. 22:11 tells us that when we appear before the bridegroom we had better be attired in the right clothing. That does not mean a $350 suit. It means we must be clothed with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12 NW). As we examine ourselves, we objectively need to measure our conduct with the pattern and example left by our Lord.
The exhortation continues with the words, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another…And over all these virtues put on love…” (vs. 13-14). As we think about these words, we may justifiably feel uncomfortable. But God has given us a wake up call so that we have time to improve ourselves.
Made for God’s kingdom
When we meet our Lord at the judgment, he wants to see the right clothing and he wants to see in us a reflection of the attributes of God.
The Pharisees and Herodians thought they asked the Lord a very tricky question, “is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” (Matt. 22:17). If he said, “Yes” he might be seen by the Jews as intimidated by Roman rule; if he said, “No” he would give support to a charge of inciting rebellion against Rome.
They had not reckoned on the penetrating answer they received. The legal currency was provided by Caesar to do the work of Caesar’s kingdom. It bore his image; it was his and he could rightly claim all or part of it as his own. The same is true of mankind made in the image of God. We have been created to do the work of His kingdom. He can rightly claim any part of our lives as His own. Did those Pharisees and Herodians belong to God or to their own traditions and ambitions? We can put the same question to ourselves. Do we view our lives as ours to do as we please or do we believe we belong to God to do as He pleases?
Taking a big view
Sometimes we can look at our lives and be deceived into complacency by the little right things we do. The money set aside for the collection, the time spent at meetings, the performance of certain ecclesial duties are all good and necessary. But what about the big picture? The first and great command is that we should “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37).
What a penetrating and honest self-examination is called for by such words. Where is our heart? What are our objectives? What holds our affections? What are the things in which we take delight?
The events of today provide us with a call to examine ourselves while there is still time. Let us do it wholeheartedly with the standards set forth in Scripture as our guide.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One