The Epistles: A Commentary, Echo, and Practical Application of the Parables of Jesus Christ
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Rom. 13:12) |
Many Golden Chains: The Golden Chains Throughout History The PURPOSE & INTENT for Salvation NT Intercessions & NT Repentances Called - Elect - Chosen - Foreknown "Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen" The Marriage & The Called, Chosen, and Faithful The Epistles: A Commentary, Echo, and Practical Application of the Parables of Jesus Christ A Pastor's Sermons to Make Sure Biblical Mercy |
“The day is at hand,” the apostle Paul proclaims (Rom. 13:12). “Knowing the time, that now it is high time” that “the night is far spent, the day is at hand” he says, in light of this, “let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:11-12). What is this day? Urgency exudes from the words “let us therefore,” but what is this day? Reader, there is a salvation which you must prepare for, a “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
(Gal. 6:7-9) “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” (Php. 1:9-10) |
“In due season we shall reap” Paul writes to the Galatians (6:9), but if a man reaps, then he must have sown. Reader, do you know where you must sow, that you may reap “everlasting life” (Gal. 6:7-9)? To the Philippians, Paul is burdened of things they must do, and he, teaching them to do these things, says to the Philippians that these things done well are for the purpose “that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (Php. 1:10). Many preach some other thing, or perhaps all the things you don’t have to do, but Paul preached what men must do! Depending on what we do, and God’s judgment of these deeds, we will be sincere or insincere, under offense or without offense, and all this is during the time of trial which is “till the day of Christ.” “Till the day of Christ,” he says, but what is the day of Christ? Truly, saints, we have “turned to God” from sin, and we are commanded “to wait for His Son from heaven”, but is there any chance we can be found by Him in a manner which we desire not - namely, insincere and under offence (1 Thess. 1:9-10, Php. 1:10)?
“As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory.” (1Thess. 2:11-12)
“Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith…” (1Thess. 3:10) “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1Thess. 3:12-13) “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power.” (2 Thess. 1:11) |
If we are waiting for the Son of God to appear, what should we expect of that day? Reader, the Lord Jesus Christ “shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1). Saints, “God hath called you unto His kingdom and glory”, but do you “walk worthy of God” and this calling (1 Thess. 2:12)? Will you be “counted worthy of the Kingdom of God” (2 Thess. 1:5)? Brethren, you should know “the times and the seasons”, that “ye have no need that I write unto you” – this is a healthy focus of soul (1 Thess. 5:1). You must “know perfectly” how “the Day of the Lord so cometh” and how “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”, your hearts would be found “unblameable in holiness before God” (1 Thess. 5:2, 3:13). You must trust and obey God “to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thess. 3:13). Would you even perceive if there was something “lacking in your faith” that would be of such a vital alarm that would cause you and your pastor to begin, “night and day,” “praying exceedingly” until your faith is perfected (1 Thess. 3:10)? Grasping the true message of the New Testament, you would righteously tremble at the perpetual need to be perfect, and seeing this need, you and your pastor would “pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling” (2 Thess. 1:11). O Christian, you do have a calling, and it is contained in commandments - and if you understood the New Testament, you would take heed to yourself, “that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 6:14). What must you, not another, be prepared for “against that day”, to “find mercy of the Lord in that day” (1 Tim. 2:12, 18)? Search these scriptures with that question!
Can you say, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (2 Tim. 4:8)? Do you know with certainty that God will “preserve [you] unto His heavenly Kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18)? In this manner, with understanding, are you “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)? Do you know your calling, namely the gospel, and are you careful to obey it? For “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power…” (2 Thess. 1:7-9)
Can you say, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (2 Tim. 4:8)? Do you know with certainty that God will “preserve [you] unto His heavenly Kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18)? In this manner, with understanding, are you “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)? Do you know your calling, namely the gospel, and are you careful to obey it? For “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power…” (2 Thess. 1:7-9)
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” (James 1:12)
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Cor. 5:8-11) |
O, may the Church recognize the blessedness of a man, after “when he is tried,” then “he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12). “The righteous Judge” shall give to those that are worthy “a crown of righteousness” “at that day,” but does that day terrorize you (2 Tim. 4:8)? “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord” by a stedfast looking at THIS DAY when “we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad;” being “confident” you will stand before the presence of the Lord – have you therefore been pressed to “labour” that you “may be accepted of Him” (2 Cor. 5:8-11)?
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Co 10:12) “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (2 Pet. 1:10) |
Have you even recognized how you may “run” this Christian “race” wherein you “may be accepted of Him” when you “appear before” Him (1 Cor. 9:24-27)? The Bible commands to “so run, that ye may obtain” this “incorruptible” “crown”, but it is obtained because you are - so running - so are you? Paul was not running or fighting “as uncertainly”, but he took heed to “any means” by which he could “fall” lest he be one that “thinketh he standeth” and yet is falling – yea, he made his “calling and election sure” (1 Cor. 9:24-27, 10:12, 2 Peter 1:10). Such a “meekness” must abide in the heart of a “diligent”, certain runner, so that he is not subtly overtaken by “forgetfulness”; rather he is a blessed “hearer” and “doer” of the word of God “which is able to save your souls” (2 Peter 1:9-10, James 1:21-25). Is your faith that you will obtain your crown “dead” or alive, can your “faith save” you, or are you a “vain man” with no understanding of how your “faith” is “made perfect” (James 2:14, 20, 22)? Are you “wanting” something, or are you a “wise man” – examine yourself – “glory not, and lie not against the truth” (James 1:4-5, 3:13-18). Has your wisdom borne fruits of friendship with the world, or are you foolish and forsaken by the world, they being invigorated to hate you because of “the fruit of righteousness” in your life (James 3:13-14, 4:4, 1 Jn. 3:1)? The “friends” and “enemies” of God are separated by “works,” “wisdom,” “knowledge,” and “faith” (James 2:23, 4:4, 3:13), but have you even looked into your heart in obedience to the commandment given, “stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh,” a looking to recognize damnable sins and “saving foundations” (1 Tim. 6:19), the “conversation” (James 3:13) of “acceptable sanctification” (Rom. 15:16, 18, 2 Cor. 5:9) and the “castaways” “reprobation” (1 Cor. 9:27, 2 Cor. 13:5) – “lest ye be condemned: Behold, the Judge standeth before the door” (James 5:7-9)?
“At the appearing of Jesus Christ”, will you have “praise and honour and glory?” How will you “be found” (1 Peter1:7)? If you understood this life as “the trial of your faith”, you would surely “pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (1 Peter 1:7, 17)! “Though it be tried with fire”, it is that it might “be found” as pure gold and worthy of eternal life, however, God judges the faith “without respect of persons” and “judgeth according to every man’s work” (1 Peter 1:7, 17). Are you holy in conversation and deed, “as Christ”, “because it is written, be ye holy for I Am holy” (1 Peter 1:16, 4:1)? If you are “following” in “His steps” (1 Peter 2:21), then you are “as obedient children” (1 Peter 1:14), “as newborn babes” (1 Peter 2:1), “as lively stones” (1 Peter 2:5), “as strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11), and finally, you even have the “same mind” as Christ (1 Peter 4:1). O, that the Church would bear the burden of the “sober” “watch” for “the end of all things at hand” (1 Peter 4:7), called “the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12) “at the appearing” and “revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, 13)! “When His glory shall be revealed”, will you be “a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed” (1 Peter 4:13, 5:1)? “When the Chief Shepherd shall appear”, will you be accounted of God a sheep that is “astray,” or rather, against that day will God have prepared you so as to “make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:4, 2:25, 5:10)? All of us, saved and unsaved, are they “who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5); yea, and do you even know your “today” by the litmus test of scripture, if Christ will say, “I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Rev. 3:2), and, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3:1)? Do you have such a perception of the holiness of God and the terribleness of this day that you say, “Amen”, that “the righteous scarcely be saved” (1 Peter 4:18)? O, “make your calling and election sure”, that you may not “fall” from “an entrance” “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).
The word of God exclaims the manner and preparations we must undergo to be ready at the “coming of our Lord Jesus” (2 Peter 1:16). We are taught and reminded over and over of the past-time judgments of God to prepare us for the Judgment of God that is as “the day dawn” ahead (2 Peter 1:19). What judgment? That “God spared not the angels that sinned” “and spared not the old world”, but now ungodly men with the heavens and earth are “reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 2:4-5, 3:7). God has shown “the vengeance of eternal fire” to Sodom (Jude 7), the “everlasting chains under darkness unto the Judgment of the Great Day” to the angels that sinned (Jude 6), but God will “execute Judgment” again (Jude 15) – “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14-15). “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:10-14). Behold the “Judgment now of a long time lingereth not”, and of the wicked God says, “their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3); we should not think it lingereth, but rather, because of the narrow, holy Judgment of our Lord in the scarcity of the salvation, we should “account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation”, for He is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, 15). The longsuffering of the Lord is our salvation, for, when He forbears to judge now, it is so that we may be perfected and established at the Judgment, so as to be saved.
Are you burdened to, by faith, “continue in the Son, and in the Father,” knowing exactly the grounds, laws, effects, and tests to know if “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3, 7)? “If we” know these truths, the question remains, are we “walking” in these truths – for many are they which “saith I know Him” (1 John 2:4), “saith he abideth in Him” (1 John 2:6), and “saith he is in the light” (1 John 2:9), yet walk contrary to these professions. “It is the last time” (1 John 2:18), “and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17), but do you “abide in Him; that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28)? Are we worthy to “be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1) and therefore walking “as He is in the Light” (1 John 1:7), in “the truth” or “of the truth” as He is the Truth (1 John 2:4, 3:19, John 14:6), in “His Word” as He is the Word (1 John 1:10, 14, 2:24, 28, John 1:1), in righteousness “even as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7), in love as “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16), to “lay down our lives for the brethren” even as “He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16)? If so, then “the world knoweth us not” as “it knew Him not” (1 John 3:1), and we have a holy “hope” that we may be purified “even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). We need this “understanding, that we may know Him that is true” (1 John 5:20). We must be sure that we are walking in Him in all these specified ways, for “herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:17-18). All of this is “the truth” (2 John 1); you must be found “walking in truth” (2 John 2:4), and these means of understanding make up “the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (2 John 9-10). Being “led away with the error of the wicked”, as to subtly compromise the doctrine of Christ, will cause you to “fall from your own stedfastness”, and this can happen by hypocritical deeds with truthful confessions, therefore “beware lest ye also” follow the backslidings of those who are backslidden in the New Testament (2 Peter 3:17).
Many may say that saints cannot be in danger of perishing, but Christ, in forbearance to return, appeals to five of seven Churches in Revelation 2-3 to repent – for if He had returned right then, only two would have been scarcely saved out of seven. Henceforth Jesus exercised their minds to urgency by repeatedly preaching about the fearful, sudden, irreversible consequences of being found unworthy at His return (Matt. 24-25) – as He saith, “And all the Churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works” (Rev. 2:23). “Or else,” He threatens – “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev. 2:16). “Repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev. 2:5). “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:25), “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11). According to the promises of God, true Christians are “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17)…and this, perhaps “thou sayest” (Rev. 3:17), but Jesus saith again, “I know thy works” (Rev. 3:15). Do you know if you have “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Rev, 3:18), or “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17)?
“At the appearing of Jesus Christ”, will you have “praise and honour and glory?” How will you “be found” (1 Peter1:7)? If you understood this life as “the trial of your faith”, you would surely “pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (1 Peter 1:7, 17)! “Though it be tried with fire”, it is that it might “be found” as pure gold and worthy of eternal life, however, God judges the faith “without respect of persons” and “judgeth according to every man’s work” (1 Peter 1:7, 17). Are you holy in conversation and deed, “as Christ”, “because it is written, be ye holy for I Am holy” (1 Peter 1:16, 4:1)? If you are “following” in “His steps” (1 Peter 2:21), then you are “as obedient children” (1 Peter 1:14), “as newborn babes” (1 Peter 2:1), “as lively stones” (1 Peter 2:5), “as strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11), and finally, you even have the “same mind” as Christ (1 Peter 4:1). O, that the Church would bear the burden of the “sober” “watch” for “the end of all things at hand” (1 Peter 4:7), called “the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12) “at the appearing” and “revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, 13)! “When His glory shall be revealed”, will you be “a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed” (1 Peter 4:13, 5:1)? “When the Chief Shepherd shall appear”, will you be accounted of God a sheep that is “astray,” or rather, against that day will God have prepared you so as to “make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:4, 2:25, 5:10)? All of us, saved and unsaved, are they “who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5); yea, and do you even know your “today” by the litmus test of scripture, if Christ will say, “I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Rev. 3:2), and, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3:1)? Do you have such a perception of the holiness of God and the terribleness of this day that you say, “Amen”, that “the righteous scarcely be saved” (1 Peter 4:18)? O, “make your calling and election sure”, that you may not “fall” from “an entrance” “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).
The word of God exclaims the manner and preparations we must undergo to be ready at the “coming of our Lord Jesus” (2 Peter 1:16). We are taught and reminded over and over of the past-time judgments of God to prepare us for the Judgment of God that is as “the day dawn” ahead (2 Peter 1:19). What judgment? That “God spared not the angels that sinned” “and spared not the old world”, but now ungodly men with the heavens and earth are “reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 2:4-5, 3:7). God has shown “the vengeance of eternal fire” to Sodom (Jude 7), the “everlasting chains under darkness unto the Judgment of the Great Day” to the angels that sinned (Jude 6), but God will “execute Judgment” again (Jude 15) – “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14-15). “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:10-14). Behold the “Judgment now of a long time lingereth not”, and of the wicked God says, “their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3); we should not think it lingereth, but rather, because of the narrow, holy Judgment of our Lord in the scarcity of the salvation, we should “account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation”, for He is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, 15). The longsuffering of the Lord is our salvation, for, when He forbears to judge now, it is so that we may be perfected and established at the Judgment, so as to be saved.
Are you burdened to, by faith, “continue in the Son, and in the Father,” knowing exactly the grounds, laws, effects, and tests to know if “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3, 7)? “If we” know these truths, the question remains, are we “walking” in these truths – for many are they which “saith I know Him” (1 John 2:4), “saith he abideth in Him” (1 John 2:6), and “saith he is in the light” (1 John 2:9), yet walk contrary to these professions. “It is the last time” (1 John 2:18), “and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17), but do you “abide in Him; that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28)? Are we worthy to “be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1) and therefore walking “as He is in the Light” (1 John 1:7), in “the truth” or “of the truth” as He is the Truth (1 John 2:4, 3:19, John 14:6), in “His Word” as He is the Word (1 John 1:10, 14, 2:24, 28, John 1:1), in righteousness “even as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7), in love as “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16), to “lay down our lives for the brethren” even as “He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16)? If so, then “the world knoweth us not” as “it knew Him not” (1 John 3:1), and we have a holy “hope” that we may be purified “even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). We need this “understanding, that we may know Him that is true” (1 John 5:20). We must be sure that we are walking in Him in all these specified ways, for “herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:17-18). All of this is “the truth” (2 John 1); you must be found “walking in truth” (2 John 2:4), and these means of understanding make up “the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (2 John 9-10). Being “led away with the error of the wicked”, as to subtly compromise the doctrine of Christ, will cause you to “fall from your own stedfastness”, and this can happen by hypocritical deeds with truthful confessions, therefore “beware lest ye also” follow the backslidings of those who are backslidden in the New Testament (2 Peter 3:17).
Many may say that saints cannot be in danger of perishing, but Christ, in forbearance to return, appeals to five of seven Churches in Revelation 2-3 to repent – for if He had returned right then, only two would have been scarcely saved out of seven. Henceforth Jesus exercised their minds to urgency by repeatedly preaching about the fearful, sudden, irreversible consequences of being found unworthy at His return (Matt. 24-25) – as He saith, “And all the Churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works” (Rev. 2:23). “Or else,” He threatens – “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev. 2:16). “Repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev. 2:5). “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:25), “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11). According to the promises of God, true Christians are “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17)…and this, perhaps “thou sayest” (Rev. 3:17), but Jesus saith again, “I know thy works” (Rev. 3:15). Do you know if you have “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Rev, 3:18), or “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17)?
The Sovereign Exaltation -->
The Scarce Salvation --> The Pastoral Burden --> |
"Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called:
and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." (Romans 8:30) "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14) “Make your calling and election sure…” (2 Peter 1:10) |
In this burden, we can see the principles of OT “visitation” as the primary angle from which “Final Judgment” is preached in the NT, and the imminency of sudden death or Christ’s surprising thief-like return upon the unprepared propounds these principles in the minds of the people to be ready & prepared.