Issue 943 – In Between – December 27, 2022

We are in between; the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrations are done for another year. For many people, the decorations are already starting to come down.

People are catching their breath from a busy festive season and gearing up for the New Year’s Eve bash. Children dream of staying up until midnight. Younger adults are thinking about the great events and parties they will attend. Some of us who have seen more than a few New Years’ come and go probably won’t last past 9 PM and likely will celebrate at home.

We wait in the lull between the major festive events. In a sense, much of our Christian faith walk is spent in between. We are born again into the family of God and eventually, at the time of His choosing, go to be wholly sanctified and in His presence forever more.

Jesus alluded to that truth in His parables. The disciples have been asking Jesus about the end times.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:32-27″“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:32-27

Mark tells a fuller version of Jesus’ reply.

“”Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself,”My master is delayed’‘ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:45-51″“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:45-51

That’s where we find ourselves. Jesus has ascended into heaven but has not yet returned. We don’t know if He will return before we die or if we will watch that event from glory.

It’s easy to become complacent. The church has been waiting nearly 2,000 years for the return. Many people have been believers for decades and wonder when it will happen.

We don’t know, nor will we know until the event happens. Only the Father in Heaven knows the exact moment.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:36

We know it will happen because the Lord promised, and He cannot lie. Nothing can forestall it because He is sovereign, and nothing can thwart His plans. Still, waiting can be challenging.

We must remain vigilant. The Work He has assigned us remains to be done.

Suppose He were to return today; how would He find you waiting? Have you been faithful? Have you been coating? Have you been walking in total rebellion?

Only the Lord and you know the state of your heart. May he find you pleasing when you meet Him face to face.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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“All contents,””Gleanings From The Wor”” and””Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life”” are © 2001, 2022 K.F.””Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.”All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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