Isaiah prophesied to Jerusalem –

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught (Hebrew; Septuagint They worship me in vain; / their teachings are merely human rules). – Isa. 29:13 NIV

I fear much of Christendom would fall into the same category. Their faith in Jesus is more like an insurance policy than a lifestyle. It is about making the here and now more comfortable instead of looking to the future coming of Jesus to get His bride. Paul wrote to Timothy his final wishes –

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Tim. 4:8

Are you looking forward to the Lord’s second coming? Many are so busy with the issues of life that they give it little thought. The writers of the New Testament were all looking for His soon coming. We have been granted 60, 70, or 80 years not to achieve kingdoms in this world but to prepare for the coming kingdom of God. It is to this end that God sends His Grace into the world –

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:11-14

There should be no divorce in the church, no homosexuals, no liars, no greedy, no abortion, no vying for power – no ungodly or worldly lusts. There should be lots of repentance! And there should be lots of prayer – asking for the moving of the Holy Spirit which alone can give us the ‘love of His appearing’.

When Jesus dictated letters to the 7 churches in Revelation, the first church was Ephesus. After commending them for their works, He identified their weakness –

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,
because thou hast left thy first love.” – Rev. 2:4

They had gotten so busy with the issues of this life that they forgot to look and long for His appearing. They had become worldly minded. This is one of Satan’s chief deceptions – if he can’t lure us away with sinfulness, he will get us to stop looking for the Lord’s return and loving it. The last message of the Book of Revelation is this –

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” – Rev. 22:20

In the midst of the world’s business and political unrest, I hope you will remember what is important in this life – His Return.