While nations are disintegrating across national, racial, economic and geographical boundaries, the saints are coming together, breaking national, racial, geographical and economic boundaries. You may not see this in the religious structure of Christianity that is characterised by sectionalism and denominationalism, but it is certain that God is building His church, and in the process He is bringing the saints together from across different divides.
These are interesting times indeed. Humanity is gradually moving toward its climax, and the end of this age is in sight for those who can see. Fulfillment of prophetic declarations is being paced up. Everything seems to be happening really fast.
In Acts 3:21, the Bible says, “… that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” As we have learnt, the second coming of Jesus Christ has to be preceded by the fulfillment of every prophetic declaration. Most of these declarations are now being fulfilled in our day.
Some of the things that would precede the second coming of Jesus Christ include increased darkness on one hand and increased light on the other, as prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-3). While sin and lawlessness will abound (Matthew 24:12) among certain people, some others would be walking towards perfection and Christlikeness (Ephesians 4:15). As the world would increasingly become corrupt, some others would be conforming to the image of Christ.
As we move closer to the end, these two realities will increasingly become apparent. There would be no middle ground; no shades of gray. These realities can best be depicted as light versus darkness, sight versus blindness, ignorance versus knowledge, foolishness versus wisdom, fragmentation versus oneness.
What the recent exit of the UK from EU communicates to us is fragmentation. The world is yet to recover from the shock wave the Brexit sent across. The full implication of this decision will continue to unfold. Aside the economic and diplomatic implications of the exit, there are impending social crises. For instance, racial tension has started brewing. Some conservative Brits have started harassing foreigners, including those from other EU countries, asking them to leave the UK. It is hoped that this would not degenerate into full blown xenophobic attacks.
Brexit is just the beginning; it will certainly not be the end. In a rather funny twist, some Londoners who voted ‘Remain’ are asking foreigners to exit the UK. Even though that would not be possible, it points to many other possibilities in the ongoing fragmentation of Europe. Scotland for instance just reminded the world that their plan to exit the UK is still on the table. Other countries in the EU could also take a cue from the UK and ask to leave the Union.
Brexit came as a rude shock to many across the world, as it was not expected that ‘Leave’ would have the day. A Brit who mischievously voted ‘Leave’ did not think his vote would count. In the same manner, the world must be prepared for the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency in the US. While many would see it as a disaster for the US and possibly the world, a Donald Trump presidency would further facilitate fragmentation. Either way, I have no doubt it would fit into the grand plan of God to bring this age to a close as quickly as possible.
As this is happening across the world, there is another reality that is also taking place. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ said, “I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. One of the manifestations of the building of the church is unity and increasing oneness among believers across the world. In John 17:12, Jesus Christ prayed for the saints to be one just as He and the Father are one. Also in Ephesians 4:13, Paul wrote about the process that would bring the saints to unity.
While nations are disintegrating across national, racial, economic and geographical boundaries, the saints are coming together, breaking national, racial, geographical and economic boundaries. You may not see this in the religious structure of Christianity that is characterised by sectionalism and denominationalism, but it is certain that God is building His church, and in the process He is bringing the saints together from across different divides. While nations, continents and regional blocks are being separated as a result of differences in opinion and ideologies, God is bringing saints to the unity of the faith.
For the first time in the history of post-early Church, we have Believers, spread across the six habitable continents, with the same focus, the same purpose and the same declaration. This is a powerful company, working in partnership with the Holy Spirit to bring all of God’s purposes to the finish. While there is chaos and confusion in the world system, this global company is walking in God’s ordained plan for humanity. In place of chaos and confusion, they see order, deliberateness and everything making sense. If this is not your reality then you have to reconsider the platform upon which you are standing.
The world is indeed getting darker. World leaders don’t have the solution to the many problems that are confronting the human race. As this would continue in the world, there would be light in the company of His saints. According to Dr. Noel Woodroffe, the battle of our time is between sight and blindness, and the latter would lose the fight. This is not the time to be ignorant about the movements of God in the earth. This is the time for us to put our house in order and prepare for the return of the King.
“Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”
12. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
14. Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
16. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne.[e] I am the bright morning star.”
17. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. – Revelation 22:11-17.
fred@premiumtimesng.com; @fredor4c
