Perhaps Today? Perhaps this year!

This evening as we spend time in review of the past year and anticipation of the year ahead, it occurs to me afresh how remarkable time really is.  The incredible Almighty already knows what is ahead in this new chapter, and the next one, and the next.

He knows the beginning from the end; to Him they are one.

 John, in the21st chapter of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, opens with these beautiful words.

“¹ Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

How wonderful! The former things have passed away. Behold, He makes all things new! Why? Because, as the next verses tell us, He IS the Alpha and the Omega. He IS the beginning and the end.

The final chapter shows Him coming to us. Three times in fact, he exhorts us to be ready for He is coming QUICKLY. We know not the day or the hour. Perhaps today? Perhaps in this new year?

Paul’s final words, could not be more hopeful, “Even so, Lord, come!”

Do you look forward in eager anticipation for the coming of the Lord? Or are you terrified by the idea? As you spend time in introspection, ask yourself the question, if the Lord of Glory came to you tonight, do you have your spiritual house in order? Have you kept short accounts? Do you, like the wise virgins, have your lamps ready with oil (which represents the Holy Spirit), so that when the bridegroom comes you are ready to go with Him?

Or, do you need to accept the gift of His forgiveness of sins?  Do you have sins you need to confess and repent of? Do you need to recommit? Do you need to be more resolute about abiding in Him being filled with the Holy Spirit?

We may not know what the coming year holds; we may not know if this will be the year of His return. But, of this we can be sure – we are now one year closer to that Glorious Day! 

Perhaps Today? Perhaps this year! Even so Lord, come! AMEN!