Video Ministries

Presumptuous, Careless Delay

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his
garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Rev. 16:15.

The evil servant says in his heart, "My lord delayeth his coming." He does
not say that Christ will not come. He does not scoff at the idea of His
second coming. But in his heart and by his actions and words he declares
that the Lord's coming is delayed. He banishes from the mind of others the
conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. His influence leads men to
presumptuous, careless delay. . . . He mingles with the world....It is a
fearful assimilation. With the world he is taken in the snare....

"If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou
shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Rev. 3:3. The advent of
Christ will surprise the false teachers. They are saying, "Peace and
safety." Like the priests and teachers before the fall of Jerusalem, they
look for the church to enjoy earthly prosperity and glory. The signs of the
times they interpret as foreshadowing this. But what saith the word of
Inspiration? "Sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thess. 5:3. Upon all
who dwell on the face of the whole earth, upon all who make this world their
home, the day of God will come as a snare. . . .

The world, full of rioting, full of godless pleasure, is asleep, asleep in
carnal security. Men are putting afar off the coming of the Lord. They laugh
at warnings. The proud boast is made, "All things continue as they were from
the beginning." "Tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." 2
Peter 3:4; Isa. 56:12. We will go deeper into pleasure loving. But Christ
says, "Behold, I come as a thief." Rev. 16:15. At the very time when the
world is asking in scorn, "Where is the promise of his coming?" the signs
are fulfilling. While they cry, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction is
coming. When the scorner, the rejecter of truth, has become presumptuous;
when the routine of work in the various money-making lines is carried on
without regard to principle; when the student is eagerly seeking knowledge
of everything but his Bible, Christ comes as a thief.

>From Maranatha - Page 34

_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional