Based on “Armageddon, the Second Coming, and the Millennium” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
12/15–16/07, Message #3427;
Daily Devotional #6 - “By His Side Forevermore”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): We are learning about choices that affect destiny. Choices that depict our future home, specifically, the place in which we spend eternity. We see from God’s Word that we must make a choice to accept Christ as our Savior and live accordingly, if we desire to dwell in Christ’s Kingdom. Should we choose to make no choice, we will remain in Satan’s Kingdom, and live forever separated from God, where we will be living with unthinkable suffering in a real place, called Hell. The choice should be a “no brainer,” and it is, if we truly understand what God’s Word says. It is God’s will that we have everlasting life, and He desires that we live with Him in heaven. (John 3:15) Living for God now is what matters. Peace and joy only come when we walk the walk of a committed Christ Follower. Therefore, when we hear about all the events to come, we will have hope. Only those who do not believe will live with fear, for the days ahead will be dark for those who remain lost. (John 3:36) As we see in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, the gospel is hidden to the lost. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 4:3) Therefore, make the decision now, for Christ, and the gospel will be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. (Psalm 119:105)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): As believers, we inherit the promises of God, and there are many. I want to sit at Jesus’ table, in His Kingdom. (Luke 22:30) To know that this and so much more is promised to us, is to live in peace and joy now and forever. I want to be where Jesus is, don’t you? I want His will to be done on earth, which will be the case when we reign with Him during the Millennium. He will return to this earth after the seven years of Tribulation, Hallelujah! “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the Heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:30-31) How comforting is the hope we have of not only reigning with Christ during the Millennium, but remaining at His side forevermore. Hallelujah!!!
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): It is imperative that we understand that what God’s Word says will come to pass. It is important to learn His ways now, so that we may be truly fishers of men. We have His peace that the world does not understand, and unfortunately, many in this world never will. In order to reach those that are searching with the message of hope in Jesus, we must make it our mission to go where God directs us. Those that are without Christ are rather like the Dead Sea is now. There are no fish living in it, because it can’t support life in its current state. However, one day when Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives, in the spot at which He first ascended to Heaven, He will stand on the Mount of Olives and break apart the mountain, causing water from Jerusalem to pour into the Dead Sea. (Zechariah 14:8) Once again life will abound and these waters will be healed and made whole, just as those who accept the Lord as their Savior are made whole and eternal life becomes theirs to behold. How beautiful when a soul is saved and set free from Satan’s Kingdom, to have that precious living water that they may never thirst again. Can you imagine the Dead Sea coming back to life and filling with all the creatures that once lived in its pure water? Life comes into a repentant heart just as the miracle of life will return to a sea that has not known such life for centuries. Where there is life, there is hope. Jesus is coming back, are you ready?
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Matthew 3:1-2
bam
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
New King James Version = NKJV, King James Version = KJV.