Living for the Days of Redemption

Prayer-Soldier

Living for the Days of Redemption

Scripture:

Behold the days come, says the Lord, that I will perform the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel, and to the house of Juda. In those days, and at that time, I will make the bud of justice to spring forth unto David, and he shall do judgment and justice in the earth. In those days shall Juda be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell securely: and this is the name that they shall call him, The Lord our just one. (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you, to confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen. For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2)

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves; Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.

And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly. For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth. Watch, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)

Reflection:

The words of the prophet are a blessing for the generations, but words are not always understood as they are spoken. The prophet speaks of justice and salvation to come from the lineage of David, but the One of who was spoken was not what many expected. They did not comprehend what was promised as they perceived through the eyes of the world and did not see as God sees. Many did not understand that the answer and promise of God was greater than any army, for the answer was not to resolve the world, but to send the One who will gather in the souls who will receive the blessings of His eternal love.

The One who came taught the people a different way, the way of charity, justice and love. He taught those who listened and those of the generations to come that we need not pursue the conflicts of the world, rather, that through love of Him and one another, we may open our hearts to a new path, a better path, a path of redemption, a path to an eternity within His kingdom.

When the generations listen, they bring a better life to the world, but so many remain unable to see beyond the world. Those blind to His Word live according to the world and by the temptations through which the evil one seeks to ensnare souls.

The Son of Man came first to teach the people so that they may see the righteous path. He came to open the eyes of their hearts so that they may know the truth of His Word. He came so that they may be turned from the ways of darkness to the ways of light. When the people listen, there is a brighter day; but as they ignore Him, darkness comes. The Son of God knew what was in the hearts of the people as well as the hearts of generations to come; therefore, He came for an even greater purpose; to offer Himself in atonement for the sins of the world.

In His first coming, Jesus taught the way, He offered forgiveness and salvation, and He conquered death. In His second coming, the time for the world as we have known it shall be over. It will be the time for the Son of God to gather up and cast away. Those who listen and heed His Word shall rejoice, for in His coming, their salvation shall be at hand. Blessed shall be those who mold their lives by His Word, for He shall gather them and magnify their blessings. He shall gather in all who believe in Him and who keep the Holy Spirit within their heart. He will embrace them and rejoice in the love they have shared. He will also offer forgiveness for where His faithful have stumbled and where they have failed.

In His second coming, He will cast away the evil of the world. He will gather up the wicked and those whose hearts are closed to Him and cast them to the abyss. Many souls shall be left to the darkness, not by His choice, but theirs.

He has warned us to be vigilant, to observe the signs of the times. He will know where our heart has set itself and where we have spent our time. He will know our prayers and what resides in our hearts. He will know where we have placed Him within our lives and what we have placed before Him. If there is a gap in our faith in Him, it will not be by His choice, but ours.

We must be vigilant, for there is strife before us and many snares of the soul. The ways of the world have blinded many to His Word, but we need not be without sight, for if we pray to the Holy Spirit, He will open the eyes of our soul. He will remind us of all which Jesus taught and will help us understand the truth of His Word. The way is before us and He will guide our path if we but seek His hand.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier