http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2005/tbcat416-5.htm
"...There has been so much pain in this world, perhaps at the end of the day, I just desire Papa Jesus to come back and take us home. Is it escapism as many accuse me of saying or believing?..."
Trashbin Cat.
Dear Trashbin Cat:
Remember that the Scriptures warn us that the closer we get to the Lord's return, the more EVIL the world and its inhabitants will become. Imagine how this must grieve the Holy Father and Jesus who SEE EVERYTHING. Imagine how this must grieve the Holy Spirit, who is where?
Inside YOU as a believer.
The Holy Spirit within believers is the ONLY restraining of EVIL on this planet. One can hardly imagine how awful things will get AFTER the restrainer of Evil is removed from this planet. Actually its too horrible to contemplate......sufficient unto the day is the evil we are currently coping with.
Sometimes we feel so helpless and powerless as we witness evil waxing worse and worse. Just when you think you have heard everything or the worst......something more deplorable splashes into the headlines...........unbelievable things. Some are so deplorable that I cannot even read beyond the headlines.......I don't want to know the excruciating details. The headlines are bad enough to make me sick to my stomach. There IS so much suffering and so much wickedness in this world already, I am continuously asking the Lord to return Quickly......end all this evil and suffering......don't delay a second!
Anyway, I guess my point is, this sick feeling you have in your gut as you realize this evil world is a freight train running full steam ahead out of control, IS EXACTLY HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT FEELS. It is The Holy Spirit within you that grieves over this deplorable situation the world has come to.I suspect that the Holy Spirit is likewise saying to the Jesus, "Come Quickly!!!!!!!!!!"
In fact the following verse in the Bible says exactly that:Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, COME!!!!
And Jesus responds:
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly!
Until that time when He comes, we must be good soldiers and OCCUPY this planet until the Lord returns.......we must continue doing good to counteract and restrain as much evil as possible. This is OUR "watch". Lets continue to do our part as servants of the Lord, to keep as much evil "in check" as possible during Our Watch. "Give the devil trouble", as they say!Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.1Cr 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Psa 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.Jam 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.Jam 5:8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.Jam 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.Jam 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.Hbr 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]:Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.Then when we are greeted by the Lord, He will say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Maranatha!
Deborah
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