Missionary Gregory Fisher shares this compelling true story reflecting on the soon return of Jesus Christ.
“What will He say when He shouts?”
The question took me by surprise. I had already found that West African Bible College students can ask some of the most penetrating questions about minute details of Scripture.
“Reverend, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says that Christ will descend from heaven with a loud command. I would like to know what that command will be.”
I wanted to leave the question unanswered, to tell him that we must not go past what Scripture has revealed, but my mind wandered to an encounter I had earlier in the day with a refugee from the Liberian civil war.
The man, a high school principal, told me how he was apprehended by a two-man death squad. After several hours of terror, as the men described how they would torture and kill him, he narrowly escaped. After hiding in the bush for two days, he was able to find his family and escape to a neighboring country. The escape cost him dearly: two of his children lost their lives. The stark cruelty unleashed on an unsuspecting, undeserving population had touched me deeply.
I also saw flashbacks of the beggars that I pass each morning on my way to the office. Every day I see how poverty destroys dignity, robs men of the best of what it means to be human, and sometimes substitutes the worst of what it means to be an animal. I am haunted by the vacant eyes of people who have lost all hope.
“Reverend, you have not given me an answer. What will He say?”
The question had not gone away.
“Enough!” I said. “He will shout, ‘Enough!’ when He returns.”
A look of surprise opened the face of the student. “What do you mean, ‘Enough!’?”
“Enough suffering. Enough starvation. Enough terror. Enough death. Enough indignity. Enough lives trapped in hopelessness. Enough sickness and disease. Enough time. Enough!”
This world is broken by sin. All of creation is groaning in anticipation of its redemption (Romans 8:22). There is sickness and pain and suffering and hardship and adversity. We are not immune from the sorrows caused by sin. But the Lord is gracious and compassionate, full of loving-kindness and mercy (Psalm 145:8). You can bring your needs and hurts to Him and He will hear you (Philippians 4:6-7). And one day He will shout, “Enough!”
This Sunday, May 16, we will continue our teaching series, “A Brand New You!”, in the 10:35am worship service. This week’s wonderful truth? You are Chosen and Adopted! Please invite someone to share it with you.
If you are not able to join us in-person in the building at 10:35am for worship, please join us Online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Search: Honolulu AG). The recording will also be uploaded later that day to our website (honoluluag.org) and YouTube channel (Search: Honolulu Assembly of God).
Coming Up: Pentecost Sunday is May 23rd so get ready for a Celebration of Pentecost. We all need the dynamic, empowering, transforming, life-changing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Come prayed up and praised up!
Aloha and Aloha ke Akua!
コメント