February 16: WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:41-42

Jesus beheld Jerusalem and lamented over the city’s rejection of truth. Rejection of truth is the cause of spiritual blindness. Even so, mercy lingered for nearly an entire generation before the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that not one stone shall be left upon another (see Matthew 24:2, Luke 19:43-44). Roman soldiers, in 70AD, did exactly what Jesus had described. Fortunately, because the Christians were obedient to His instructions, not a single Christian lost his life.

The message of truth came to France through Jacques Lefevre, William Farel, and Louis de Berquin—and was rejected. But, in keeping with the longsuffering character of God, another invitation to the gospel came. John Calvin set about his work quietly, outside of Paris, under the protection of Princess Margaret, sister of Francis I. She had high hopes that France, as a whole, would be won to the gospel. Calvin went from house to house, teaching the Word of Christ, the testimony of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Some houses were castles, and some were cabins. But he was received with great favor and many hearts were won for the Lord! Soon Calvin was back in Paris. He continued his teaching from house to house. At one point, while the king was away, Princess Margaret opened the palace for daily preaching at the same hour each day. Thousands from all classes would attend and listen. When the king returned, instead of forbidding the assemblies, he ordered two churches of Paris opened for Protestant preaching.

Not surprisingly, the Roman church hierarchy were exceedingly displeased. Nevertheless, this continued for two years. Francis had taken his stand against the Romanists, not because he was a follower of the gospel, but for his own political purposes: making a show of tolerance. Even though the majority of the people rejected the gospel message, there were many during these brief years who accepted it wholeheartedly.

Beloved, we are living in the hour of His judgement (Revelation 14:7). The brief window of time that we have left is fleeting and the central-most subject is worship of the one, true God: our Creator and Savior. We must tell the world! Sharing the real Jesus with others is a crucial element of worship. When the window closes, this decree will sound from heaven: He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11)

By God’s grace and power, we must persevere while it is day (John 9:4). Here’s what can happen:

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. Acts 5:14