King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Lord In Not Slack
Date: Wednesday October 26, 2011
Chapters: Luke 12-13
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-26

Hello My Friend,

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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...But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up...Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” - II Peter 3:3,4,8-10,13,14.

Almost two thousand years ago the prophecy was fulfilled that the perfect lamb would be crucified, hung on a tree to die, be buried, and three days later arise to put an end to the enmity between God and man. Two thousand years seems like an eternity, but when you think about it, it's not very long at all. Imagine what God sees a thousand years as? One day to God is as a thousand years, this does not mean that one year is literally a thousand years, it means, in one day, in one moment, in one blink of an eye, in one snap of His fingers, He can do the work of a thousand years. God is not slow in fulfilling His promises, neither is He quick to end all things. Do you actually think God wants to see people in hell? No! He doesn't want anyone to have to face that horrible second death. However, He will not save anyone who does not want to be saved. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” -Revelation 21:8.

There are a lot of people who question whether or not Christ truly will return, while we do not know the hour in which He will return, Jesus is coming back and when He does all are subject to that second death if they have not received Him before their first death. Jesus explains this in a parable, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” - Luke 12:42-46.

Christ is returning whether we believe it or not, in fact, heaven, hell, God, and Satan exists whether we believe it or not. Ignorance does nothing for any unbeliever, but send them to hell. I understand, no one wants to think of these things, nor does anyone want to think that they will be sent to hell, we all fear it, but we do not have to. Those who receive Christ do not need to fear because the Savior is near. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - I John 5:12,13.

I do not know anyone who willingly says I am ready to die, but the truth is, we all will die some day, that is, the flesh will die some day. What happens to the soul is determined by our decision to accept or reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who accept will join Him in heaven, those who reject will end up in hell, it doesn't matter how good or bad we are, if we do not accept Christ we end up in hell. It is not by our works of righteousness that we are saved, it is by our belief and faith in Christ and Christ alone. Jesus confirms that all who are not converted will perish. “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” - Luke 13:1-5.

We have all sinned, therefore, we cannot get to heaven on our own, no one, except Jesus, is without sin, anyone who has not repented, who has not changed their minds about Christ will perish, meaning suffer that second death. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:..Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” - Romans 3:20,23,24,28.

Genuine repentance and believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the only avenue of escape from perishing. Jesus explains this further, “And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” - Luke 13:24-28.

Not all who say they know the Lord will find the only gate into His kingdom, we are going to be very surprised when we get to heaven, people we thought would be there will not and likewise people we never imagined will be. Those who would be saved must strive to enter in at the strait gate, meaning they must undergo a change of the whole person. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - II Corinthians 5:17.

I know that it is scary to think that today might be your last day living, death is so final, the end of everything, well, at least that is what the world wants to think. However, the truth is this, death is not final, well, not for the soul who has accepted and received Christ. We need not fear death when Christ is in our soul. One day all our pain, sorrow, and even our tears will be wiped away, but until then we need to press forward, by faith, trusting in the Savior, who is right there with us. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away...He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” - Revelation 21:4,7.

Today's Prayer: (adapted from Psalm 23 & 31)
Dear God,
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Lord, lead me and guide me, show me the truth, the life, and the way and let me live it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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