June 15, 2022
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Revelation 22:12
When Jesus leaves His priestly role of intercession for His people, He will return as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16). The word quickly is telling us that earth’s final events will be rapid ones. Some well-meaning translators have used the word “soon,” but the original word means with rapidity. Now that we are living in the final days of earth’s history, soon can also apply.
Jesus repeatedly warned of the deceptive power of our adversary. As His return is now very close, let us hear this warning: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:13)
We are to live out life in readiness for the return of our Groom! Exactly how are we to watch for Him? By spending prayerful, Holy Spirit-led time in the Bible! Those who have no interest in His word are the most likely to sabotage themselves. Therefore, Satan’s concentrated efforts are squarely targeting the people of God; for he knows that anyone who cultivates a love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) will receive it along with its power to sanctify the soul. His goal is to overthrow the faith of believers!
“Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning.” THE GREAT CONTROVERSY by E.G.White
There is a subtle brand of liberality which regards correct understanding of God’s word as non-essential. But, by God’s grace, history is dotted with His true servants who, for the love of truth, powerfully contended against false teachers who worked persistently to implant falsehoods that are fatal to the soul. Hardly anyone would deliberately set out to become a false teacher. But once he has received a falsehood, he will pass it on to others as truth. Each error leads to other errors—and the circle of deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13) perpetuates in a downward spiral.
The Scriptures have been given as a guide for anyone who desires to become acquainted with the will of Almighty God. As the Source of all life, His will is for life to continue! To ignore or rebel against His word is to separate oneself from life’s Source. All have done this very thing (Romans 3:23), but God has graciously granted a probationary period during which we are given opportunity to have our characters remolded and remade into His likeness. Ever since our first parents sinned, He has lovingly acted to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24), that we might once more partake of its life-sustaining fruit for eternity!
In the midst of the street of [the heavenly city], and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2 (KJV)