By Carllister Ejinkeonye
“... and
saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:4).
The attitude of
most people to issues on eternity and the end time activities and their
interpretation has remained as stated in the Scripture. They do not
believe and where they try to believe they do not see the possibility of such
prophecies or programmes happening in their own time. For them the evil
day is still far off (Amos 6:1-3; Isaiah 56:12), yet for any wary and wise youth
who desires to see as he should see, perceive as he should and understand as he
should, it must be clear to him that it is not just that time is no more but
that the injury time we have hitherto been enjoying is only seconds away from
the end. We are in between the time the goal keeper catches the ball in
his hand and the blowing of the last whistle of the Referee.
Let’s begin by considering specifics and peculiarities associated with our generation which mark it out as the last day generation.
Peculiarities
associated with our generation (Matthew 24:32-35)
Jesus’s prediction
of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem was met with a question on when
these things shall be (Matthew 24:1-3). Jesus answered rolling out the
various incidents that would mark the end. They include the signs of the
false prophets, Christs and teachers, wars and civil unrest, famines,
pestilence and earthquakes, persecutions, abounding iniquity and its effect,
the state of the temple of Jerusalem, increase in gospel mission activities,
increase in travel and knowledge, massive departures and falling away from the
faith and the sign of weather and climatic change (Matthew 24:1-12; Daniel 12:4;
2 Thessalonians. 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3).
Worthy of note to
every Christian youth is the fact that the level of evil and iniquity of this
generation can in no way be compared to that of Sodom, Gomorrah and Noah’s
generation which brought God’s wrath down on them (Genesis 6:1-6; 19:1-9).
The Scriptures rightly refer to it as a generation of vipers and an untoward one (Matthew 3:7; Acts 1:40). It is a generation of ‘e-’ evils of
diverse forms and magnitudes. For this generation, the axe of the Lord is
laid on its root (cons. Matthew 3:10). Obviously, judgement is determined.
Judgment Is
Determined (Genesis 19:12-15,17; 6:5-7; 7:11,12,17-24)
In our context,
judgment can be seen as misfortunes as a punishment from God (Isaiah 14:12-15;
2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Numbers 16:1-5,28-35). God’s nature of righteousness
demands that all unrighteousness be punished. Judgment is determined
against pride as was with Lucifer, continued resistance to and rebellion
against God and corruption, youthful lust and immorality of all forms,
oppression, neglect of and indifference to God’s word, e-lies and numerous
cyber- evils and sins (Proverbs 11:21; 16:5; Psalms 9:17; Ecclesiastics 12:14).
Judgment as we
read can come in the immediate and eternally upon whosoever continues in sin
and refuses the instruction to escape.
Often times youths
tend to believe that what was seen as evil and abomination in time past has
suddenly turned into good and acceptable/approved because of civilization,
technology and the passage of time but the Christian youth must recognize that
the unchanging God has an unchanging standard the age the youth has found
himself not withstanding (2 Timothy 2:19; Numbers 23:19; Matthew 15:18; cons. 2 Peter 2:4-9; Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15,16).
As we speedily
approach the close of age, the Christian youth must be well informed of what ‘s
next in the Lord’s programme - the catching away of the Saints that it could happen in a moment and the Great Tribulation, God’s instrument (the most terrible and undesirable) of punishment/judgment will be employed. These which we are not discussing here now.
Note: Between now
and the moment of rapture, God will still be employing various forms of
instruments as it pleases Him to judge the sinner and disobedient in the
interim and having them cast into hell (that has enlarged its mouth at last
(Isaiah 5:14; Psalms 9:17; Revelation 21:8)) (Genesis 6:17; 7:18-19, 23; 19:24-25; Exodus 17:8-13; 1 Samuel 15:1-7; Daniel 4:28-33; Acts 5:1-10).
The counsel to all
and sundry from God of love who sees how terrible the speedily impending danger
is, like the men who visited Lot, is saying “Escape for thy life” (Genesis 19:17).
The Injunction
The men searched
out righteous Lot and having confirmed the cry that came from Sodom declared
God’s judgment on the city (Genesis 19:12-13). Although the judgment was
determined yet God gave opportunity for all to hear and know His decision and
repent just as His manner has always been. Adam, Eve and Cain had opportunity
to repent while His discussion with them lasted (Genesis 3:8-13; 4:9-10); The
people of Noah’s time had opportunity to repent while he preached and the
building of the ark lasted (2 Peter 2:5); For some they and the privilege of
hearing and listening to the voice of nature and of reason (Romans 1:19-20;
2:14-15); Ananias and Sapphira had opportunity of repenting while the time of
interrogation lasted before judgment was declared (Acts 5:1-9).
Unfortunately, because judgment is delayed, many take it for granted
(Ecclesiastes 8:11; Genesis 19:14; 2 Peter 2:3-4). But right now, time is no more.
The time-lag between the pronouncement and the procurement of judgment is
less than you can imagine. The Lord is calling out ESCAPE FOR YOUR LIFE
now! The instruction/warning is both to the righteous and the sinner.
Understanding The
Injunction
To escape, from
dictionary meaning, means to get away from an unpleasant or dangerous
situation, to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous. From our text, we
see that the instruction is urgent and firm. It is not to be compromised.
There are definite things the youth who chooses to heed this warning must
note:
- Do Not Linger - No one who has come to understanding the writing on the wall and agreed that the injury time is almost over can afford to delay any longer (cons. Genesis 19:15-16). Consideration for the things acquired, ignorance of how temporal they are and quest to be like other youths has kept many youths lingering in the world and remaining in the valley of indecision despite all warnings, persuasions and convictions by the Holy Spirit (cons. Matthew 19:21-22; Luke 9:59-62). These constitute weights in the life of the Christian youth hindering him from going higher thereby remaining at the same level (Hebrews 12:1). To facilitate your escape, you must lay your treasures in heaven and set your affection on things above (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-2) then the pull on your soul will be upward and not downwards to an empty world, you shall have no reason to linger any more.
- Look not behind you (Genesis 19:17, 23-26). Have you decided to escape, then the next instruction is “Look not behind you”. While fleeing, do not consider the things left behind (cons. Philippians 3:8, 13-14). You have been called out of the darkness of this world into the marvellous light of Christ (Ephesians 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:9), therefore you must detest all that make for darkness and never return to them (Ephesians 5:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; consider Hebrews 10:39; 2 Timothy 4:10). All that is behind do not qualify for eternity with God, they constitute dross on your silver and blurs your vision of heaven. Here comes the need for every Christian youth to seek to be sanctified so he could live above the things of this world and its power (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 3:13). Jesus, while telling His disciples of the end counselled them to remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:28-36). The same counsel is for the Christian youth today (cons. Mark 13:37).
- Escape to the mountain (Genesis 19:17). God appointed a place for Lot and his household to escape to. His perfect will was the mountain but Lot sought the permissive will, city nearby Sodom (Genesis 19:17-20). The mountain cannot have any resemblance or anything in common with the plain (Sodom). The Christian youth’s journey, race and escape is to a destination 100% contrast to where he has been called out from. The journey is from the Sodom of hell to the mountain of heaven (consider Mark 9:43-48; Matthew 25:30, 41, 46; Revelation 21:2-26). Naturally, it is never easy to climb to the mountain top but the benefits on getting there cannot be compared to the pains encountered on the way (Romans 8:18). The mountain is a place of glorious encounters and transformation, whether the ‘interim mountain’ (times of fellowship and spiritual exercises and development) (Isaiah 25:6-8; Matthew 17:1-5) or the final destination of heaven (Revelation 21:3-5). The will of God is that the Christian youth ends his journey with Him (cons. John 14:1-3; Luke 12:32). The escape to the mountain may sometimes be embedded with sacrifices, self-denial, pains and some prices to pay (Mark 8:34-35) which most youths often try to avoid hence opting for ZOAR, ‘the nearby city of refuge’ (Genesis 19:17-22) a place of compromise and ease. Influences, wooings and distracting voices and incidents are likely to come from Zoar and other environments as the Christian youth is on his journey to the appointed city (cons. Proverbs 1:10-16). Jesus has boasted that the voice of strangers and Zoar His youth will not heed (John. 10:1-5). So, be determined to reach God’s appointed city for you whatever the cost (Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16).
Lot And His Family Escape For Their Lives
Note that not all
who left Sodom got to the mountain. Therefore as you escape, do not be
discouraged when you see your close associates, mighty men and women fall by
the way side, do not look back, remember Lot’s wife and fix your eyes on the
mountain (Genesis 19:15, 26; Acts 1:16-19; 2 Timothy 4:10).
So much counsel
has gone to the Christian youth but, what should the unsaved and sinning youth
do on hearing all this? This is not the time for carelessness,
procrastination or carefree attitude and feeling there is still time.
Many will be caught unawares. At a time like this when judgment and
punishment is sure and imminent, you cannot afford to remain in sin. The
beginning of your escape is a true repentance from all sin, evil and dead works
and surrender unto Jesus as your Saviour and Master, believing that He
died for your sins. This must be CONSCIOUSLY done (Acts 2:37-38;
3:19-20). Your sins will be purged and you will be registered with the
kingdom of God (consider Hebrews 9:13-15; Revelation 20:15; 21:27). You can escape
today!
The Divine Assignment
(Genesis 19:12-14).
Obviously, we agree with the truth on the much we have seen on the things peculiar
with our generation, the fact that judgment is determined, the rapture, the
great tribulation and the injunction on “Escape for your life”, it then follows that every saved boy
or girl should be on his/her toes right now running along with the information and understanding
he or she has received. The Lord’s question to him or her, like it was to Lot in that day, is “Hast thou any
besides? ...” If there be any, He says “bring them out of this place”
(Genesis 19:12).
The men who came
to Sodom knew the urgency of the judgment declared and the terror of God and
that God meant every word He said. They also knew that God never takes
pleasure in the death of a sinner and so would always give opportunity to
whosoever cares to make amend and return to Him (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Ezekiel 12:25; Jeremiah 1:12). On this note, they asked Lot if he had any
besides. This included wife, children, relations, neighbours, friends,
colleagues, and so on. Lot was told to go and tell them of the looming
judgment and this he did.
When Jesus came on
board, He did same. He went around telling men and women of the kingdom
of God and the consequences of missing it (Matthew 4:17; Mark 9:43-48). He
sent His disciples to do same (Luke. 9:1-2; 10:1, 8-9; 19:10). The
disciples also went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:1, 4).
The same
assignment has been given to us but now must be carried out with more urgency
because it is the last time (1 John 2:18; Hebrews 10:37; 2 Corinthians 5:11, 18-19).
Every Christian youth who has understood the very next thing in God’s
programme must see this assignment of not just preaching but bringing them out
of this place as an unavoidable responsibility much more than Paul saw it
(1 Corinthians 9:16; Romans 1:14-16). It is a necessity laid on him. Refusing
to attend to this divine assignment or doing it casually or to fulfill an
obligation is an offence unto God that attracts eternal punishment (Ezekiel 33:1-9; 3:18-21). The assignment must be carried out with love,
compassion, understanding of the looming danger/judgment and serious
prayer/intercession for those being ministered to so as to bring them out of
this place (danger zone).
As this is done,
the Lord will deliver them and you would have delivered your own soul (consider Ezekiel 22:30-31; Exodus 32:30-34).
So, who do you
have besides? After reading article, you must go to give them the information
of the Lord’s next agenda and how He has provided a way of escape while the
opportunity lasts. It is very necessary to present them to the Lord in prayer and after until they come out from the danger.
No comments:
Post a Comment