Notes to the Lord:Even So Come Quickly Lord Jesus

Scripture Reflections:Matthew 24

7"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8"But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Lord Jesus--If these are the birth pains...I am wondering what the delivery will be like. I got a feeling that we might just find out in the next few years. But that has been the hope of the church for the last 20 Centuries, that you would come back. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus.

9"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

Lord Jesus--Listening to NPR today it sounds like we might be on the way there. Stem cell research debate was being discussed and Evangelical Christians were taking a beating...as if a tag name describes God's people. We are not a bumper sticker, but our values have been compressed down to bumper sticker slogans.

The public debate has gotten so shrill and with so little ability to allow for difference. The polarization and shrillness may be a part of the preparation for your return.

10"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

Lord Jesus--Love is the very distinction that was to be our hallmark will be under fire in this time of tribulation. You said that we would be know by our love...but under the new conditions even love will fail us.

11"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Lord Jesus--Watching the Glen Beck controversy and the reaction of my brothers and sisters to this Mormon man speaking about the need to for change. He maybe speaking elements of truth, but he is following a false prophet from a century or two ago.

There is hope here. Endurance to the end will have its positive outcome, and the time line for your return is set by the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations. We must be close then...

Every morning as I look to the eastern sky, I look with hope that this will be the day that you come back for your people. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus.