1 PETER 4:7-11But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. War erupting in Gaza has brought the idea of the end of all things to the forefront of our minds, coming as it does, hot on the heels of the Russian war in Ukraine. We stand horrified as our world seems to crumble about us. Surely we are in ‘the end times’ and yet the apostle Peter stated 2000 years ago that the end of all things is at hand! The ‘End Times’ and the ‘End of All Things’ is an oft repeated concept in Scripture, and furthermore, one whose meaning fluctuates depending on the context. In 1 Peter 4, the apostle uses the word ‘all’ to mean ‘all, any, every and the whole thing’ — which can be taken to refer to us either individually or collectively. We understand, of course, that God is in control… The Portion of Jacob is not like them, Jeremiah’s verse tells us that Our God is the Maker of all things, and thus all things are His to dispose as He wills, indeed that we are all His inheritance. Everything is under His hand. It is therefore our expectation that this end of all things is either more ‘at hand’ than ever before, or that maybe this is an exaggeration for effect. Certainly we are beset by life-threatening events at every turn, so that if it is not climate change, or war, or the rise in charismatic (to some) world leaders, bent on crazy agendas, or the spread of civil discontent and disorder across the earth, then it is the besetting sin of humanity that is pulling the rug out from under itself. The truth is that the end of all things is an ever present state of affairs. We neither know nor can ever know when that moment will finally dawn, even though we may think that we discern the signs. Only God knows, thus as believers with the hope of glory deep in us, we should turn our eyes from the Satanic work, focussing instead on The Lord. Look to the light is the only way. JOB 37:21 says Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them, but Matthew Henry makes this observation… And in all the duties and services of life, we should aim at the glory of God as our chief end. He is a miserable, unsettled wretch, who cleaves to himself, and forgets God; is only perplexed about his credit, and gain, and base ends, which are often broken, and which, when he attains, both he and they must shortly perish together. But he who has given up himself and his all to God, may say confidently that the Lord is his portion; and nothing but glory through Christ Jesus, is solid and lasting; that abideth for ever. MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…... "the whole world has gone after him" Did all the world go after Christ? "then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan." ALL THINGS — David and Nicole Binion PRAYER REQUIRES WORSHIP... LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…
COMING NEXT… #331 I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES |
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS…Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Archives
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GEORGE and GILL STEWART |