When God Says …
“And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” (Luke 21:29-31 KJV).
These verses give the message in parable form of prophetic hope rather than fear. These teach that just as we watch the sprouting fig trees signal the certainty of summer’s arrival, the "signs of the times"—like global upheavals, pandemics, and earthquakes—assure believers that the Rapture (the Lord’s appearing in the clouds to meet us) and the Kingdom of God are imminent.
As we unpack this parable through the lens of grace, we unveil several core lessons to hold on to. While our Lord Jesus mentioned frightening events, it’s not intended to bring fear to those who rest in His grace. It is for the purpose that all believers can look up confidently, knowing their complete bodily redemption is coming.
Using the metaphor of the budding fig trees, the Lord signals a shift into a favorable season. He likens the nearness of God's Kingdom to the onset of "summer," where the dark clouds of sickness, stress, and sorrow are passing away. The blessed hope of the Lord’s inevitable return purifies and empowers us who enters into His grace to live and thrive victorious in this present realm of living. This contrasts the fear-based doomsday view of the end-times. The New Covenant of Grace brings in the hope of new beginnings of eternal living. God's super-abounding favor is meant to protect and provide for those who truly believe, during dark times while still in this world.
Whether we fly (being raptured as we will be) or die, makes no difference - being redeemed by His blood through faith, we will all be caught up together with the Lord in the clouds and be with Him forever. It is written: “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment