The End of Time

Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. 41 The Son of man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of falling and all who do evil, 42 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. 43 Then the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Anyone who has ears should listen!

Matthew 13:40-43

Today’s Gospel is a stark warning and reminder about the reality that this world is only temporary and will surely come to an end.

At that point, the world as we know it would be replaced by the Holy City – the New Jerusalem which comes forth out of Heaven (see Revelation 21-22).

When that time would come, no one knows for sure. But as Christians, the LORD doesn’t want us to be overly bothered about that.

I think a very important point Jesus raised in today’s Gospel is the fact that darnel grew among the wheat in His Kingdom.

Isn’t this surprising? The darnel was allowed to remain a part of the Kingdom until the end of time.

This means that as Jesus said, “Not all who call me Lord, Lord… but those who do the will of my Father in Heaven” are those who are truly pleasing to Him.

This is actually quite terrifying if we think deeply about it. Because it means that not all Christians are automatically guaranteed a place in Heaven.

To accept the saving work of Christ Jesus, repent of sin with full sincerity of heart, and follow Jesus blindly with Him as our all-seeing guide with full and complete surrender, is what God requires of us.

Am I ready for this?

Have I hedged my bets elsewhere?

Is my heart completely given to Christ?

My personal truthful answer is: no.

It’s a sad “no.” A shameful and pitiful “no.”

Because sometimes I’ve tried to hedge my bets by relying on conventional wisdom, even as sometimes evident in the Body of Christ.

But today, I hear God’s voice clearly calling me out of my darkness into His marvellous Light.

And I flee unto His Light to enlighten my darkness and fill my soul with His peace and truth and mercy and joy.

Prayer

Holy God, I cannot be far from You in anyway.

Whatever LORD that seeks to remove me from You, in Your mercy, draw me back to Your truth and mercy.

I need Your mercy LORD and Your faithful deliverance every day!

Forgive me for all my stubbornness and for hedging my bets anywhere else but in Your promises.

Open my ears to sound doctrine and my heart to absorb and walk in Your truth all my days.

Help me to teach this truth to my (Your) children and children’s children until the end of time when You come in glory.

Thank You God for Your loving kindness endures forever.

Amen!

Always & Forever,

To the Lamb,

With all my ❤

28 July 2020

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