Jesus likens Himself as an employer; whether you’ve been working for Him for years or just one day—you still get paid. Although the rewards may vary, you still get paid and that payment is eternal life in God’s kingdom. Remember the dying thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him? Jesus said to him, “From this day you will be with me in Paradise.”
Lately I have encountered two groups of Christians: One group is eagerly awaiting the Rapture and studying Bible prophecy; the other group doesn’t seem to want to talk about it – even saying things like “It’s not going to happen in our lifetime.”
Isn’t the whole idea of being a Christian to have a longing to meet Jesus and dwell with Him in His kingdom? Is it possible for a Christian to become too attached to this world?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – is not of the Father but of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
It is a Christian’s choice whether to live in this world without partaking of the spirit of the world. When the Holy Spirit reveals to us the true spiritual poverty in the world, it becomes easier to overcome the lures that are trying to take our eyes off living a Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit does not want us to set our affections or live sacrificially for anything that appeals to our fleshly desires or appetites, our covetousness, greed or anything that harbors pride or arrogance.
When we understand the fullness of our inheritance in Christ, the offers of the world seem poor. Do you know we are going to reign with Jesus as kings?
“And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6).
When we focus our love on God, the lusts of the flesh are reduced as a problem. Remember Lot’s wife, who regretted the loss of her world?
“Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it” (Luke 17:33).
The spirit of antichrist was evident in John’s day as the deceitful, destructive, divisive “believers” who withdrew from the church, having never really shared in the life and fellowship of the church.
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming; even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18 emphasis added).
Even though John wrote this some 2,000 years ago does it not reflect the spirit of the world today?
Something is about to happen and money, property and prestige isn’t going to do anybody any good. Our world is a rotating sphere of evil spinning out of control under the dominion of Satan and his demonic minions. Satan has never been busier than in these last days and the spirit of antichrist is never more evident in our sadly decaying society.
As born-again believers we should be looking forward to seeing Jesus at His coming and know we will be transformed into His likeness when He comes.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(This article was inspired by my cousin Danielle in Indiana who refused to allow rain, sleet and snow to prevent her from going to church.)