December Beacon
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42
The names Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are related to how far we have come in the computer world. These forward-looking entrepreneurs have blazed a trail and paved a way for others to advance in the field. Have you heard of Mark Zuckerberg or Stacey Bendet. They are also ‘forward-looking’ people who have ‘cashed in.’ Zuckerberg co-founded facebook. He started it from his Harvard dorm room in 2004. The twenty-six year old has made about four billion dollars. Stacy Bendet is thirty-two. She founded alice & olivia, a successful women’s clothing line. Her company takes in about fifty million dollars a year. The three young men who co-founded YouTube recently sold their business to Google for 1.65 billion dollars.
Some people seem to have the ability to see ‘up ahead.’ They lead the way in looking beyond the present to what could be in the future. I believe the Lord wants His followers to be ‘forward-looking.’ In Matthew 24 Jesus taught about the end of the age. He told of how the nations of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. The angels will sound the trumpet call and His elect will be gathered from the four winds.
He also said in verse 36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son.” It will happen….Jesus is coming again! The timing is in question, but the posture of His people is not. He said, “Keep watch.”
Peter added to this idea when he taught about end times events. In II Peter 3:11-12 we find his words, “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”
Are people ‘forward-looking’ today? We have young people using their intelligence and work ethic to their benefit. Some have already made more money than they can probably spend in their lifetime. As great as their vision has been in this life, will they be shortsighted when Jesus comes?
When King Josiah reigned in Judah, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD. The king heard from God’s word. He encountered God’s truth and came under conviction. In II Kings 22:19, we hear God’s response to Josiah - “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would be accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.”
King Josiah was able to see beyond his being ‘king.’ He recognized the ‘King of the Universe,’ and humbled himself before Him. That’s forward-looking.’ That involves seeing beyond today. Jesus is coming. How are you watching?
November Beacon
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18
I did not see this, but I can picture it! It was close to thirty years ago that the event took place. The first church [...]
October Beacon
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16
A [...]
September Beacon
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [...]
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