by Brad Sherman
23
Love His Appearing
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also
to all who have loved His appearing. — 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)
the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also
to all who have loved His appearing. — 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)
Do You Love His Appearing?
Most of us would say that we love the Lord, but probably haven’t given much thought to our love for His appearing. Once the question is raised, I suspect that most of us would acknowledge that we should love His appearing. After all Jesus taught us to pray for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Next we are likely to consult our emotions and see how we feel about it. Some will find that the idea of the Lord’s return strikes fear in their hearts.
According to Scripture, we should love His appearing. But we shouldn’t gauge our love for His appearing on how we feel about it. Love for His appearing is not emotional state. The word “love” in the passage above is agapao, the verb form of agape. It is the form of love that could be described as commitment-based rather than emotion-based. It is often called unconditional love because it is not based on how we feel, which is a condition. The commitment kind of love doesn’t quit just because the going gets tough or we have a bad day. Therefore, it might be more accurate to ask if we are committed to the appearing of the King. How much do we think about it? Do we see it as a goal? Do we build our ministry strategy around it. Do we pray for His appearing?
The closing words of the Bible express the intense desire of the writer to see the Lord return and communicates to us that we, as the bride in agreement with the Holy Spirit, should be saying, “Come Lord Jesus!”
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!"...— Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! — Revelation 22:20 (NKJV)
If there is a lack of love and focus for Christ’s appearing, it is probably because we have not seen it as a practical part of our strategy, which again points to the need for a new paradigm and thus the purpose of this book. But the Lord’s appearing must be more that a practical part, it must be the focal point of our strategy.
The Zeal of the Lord
One of the ways we can measure our commitment to the Lord’s appearing is by looking at our zeal. Isaiah prophesied regarding Jesus sitting on the throne of David and His government of order, judgment and justice forever. Then he told us how this would be accomplished: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”
There will be no end to the
increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over
his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and
righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of
hosts will accomplish this. — Isaiah 9:7 (NASB)
The first public miracle that Jesus did was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee where he turned water into wine. But even though this happened in a public setting, the miracle itself was done somewhat covertly. The ruler of the feast did not know what had happened but thought they had saved the good wine till last (John 2:9-10). The first openly public act that Jesus did was just a few days later.
Now the Passover of the Jews was
at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple
those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing
business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of
the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers'
money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves,
"Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of
merchandise!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal
for Your house has eaten Me up."— John 2:13-17 (NKJV
Though Jesus was undoubtedly angry, this was not just a spontaneous emotional response. Notice that He made a whip of cords. Just how long that took we do not know. But it shows that this was a premeditated act of violence. What a way to publicly introduce your ministry!
Since it wasn’t pure emotion that drove Jesus to do this, what was it? The disciples knew. Upon witnessing Jesus cleanse the temple they remembered: that it was written, “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words” (see Psalm 119:139 and John 2:17). The word zeal here means to be jealous or envious. Jesus was jealous for God’s words to be honored. I am not suggesting we go out and start committing acts of violence to demonstrate our zeal. But I am pointing out that we need to be zealously committed to the cause of preparing the way for the Lord’s return and the appearing of His kingdom.
Zeal For God’s House
The primary place where we apply this zeal is in the same place Jesus did, the house of God. We have already seen that the New Jerusalem is the church, the house of the living God., being built from living stones. Like Jesus, our zeal should be directed establishing justice and judgment in the church. We should be angry where the church has compromised and where truth, repentance, holiness, discipleship and prayer has been replaced with carefully crafted humanistic programs designed to offend no one.
Paul wrote to Timothy regarding order and conduct in the Church. Judgment begins first in the house of God.
... I write so that you may know
how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. —1
Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)
The Church, God’s house is the pillar and support of truth int the culture. If the moral structure of our nations is crumbling, it is because the pillars of truth have given way. It is because those in the house of God have forgotten His words and have not provided leadership nor been salty enough to prevent moral decay.
Salt is good; but if the salt has
lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the
land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to
hear, let him hear! — Luke 14:34-35 (NKJV)
Peter wrote that the time had come for judgement to begin in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). But we also know that if we judge ourselves, we will not be judged (1 Cor 11:31). We should prayerfully consider these words from Jesus who challenges us to be zealous and repent:
I know your works, that you are
neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then,
because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you
out of My mouth. Because you say, “'I am rich, have become wealthy, and
have need of nothing”; and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from Me gold
refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you
may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;
and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I
love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I
stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the
door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him
who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also
overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. — Revelation
3:15-21 (NKJV)
Therefore let us examine ourselves receive the Lord’s rebuke and repent as needed. Those who are zealous and repent will overcome and sit with Him on His throne when He returns. Those who are zealous will love, prepare for, hasten, preach, and pray for the appearing of Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
It has been a purpose in this book to bring a greater clarity to the Christian cause and define what it means to win the war we are in, that we might have a “joy set before us” and thus be able to stand in the evil day. Our definition of victory in this war must be nothing less than to see the return of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom established to rule the earth. We are not called to watch and wait till the clock strikes twelve. We ARE the clock! We are called to keep ticking and preparing the way till all hands arrive at twelve.
It is my prayer that the concept of preparing the way has been imparted and that the idea of a dynamic link between our work and His return has been established. I also pray that this foundational truth will become a common cause around which a powerful unified church will take action. When there is a unified voice coming from a holy church proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom around the earth, Jesus will respond. The preparation will be completed and then the King and His Kingdom will appear.
Today and every day we must ask ourselves if we will engage the battle to prepare the way for the Kingdom of God? I say yes. What about you?
When the LORD shall build up Zion,
he shall appear in his glory.
— Psalms 102:16
he shall appear in his glory.
— Psalms 102:16
Paradigm Builder
Love and zeal for God’s house will prepare the way for the Kingdom of God on earth.
How would you describe your position regarding this concept:
Before reading the chapter :
1- I disagreed
2- I was unaware or ambivalent
3- I already agreed
After you read the chapter/book:
1- I disagree
2- I am considering
3- I agree
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(c) Copyright, 2013, Brad Sherman
Index Page
Watch for new chapters to be added soon!
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(c) Copyright, 2013, Brad Sherman