"The Shepherds Way" E.W.King: PREPARING TO MEET THE LORD!

PREPARING TO MEET THE LORD!

by Linzy Bruno

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)

The definition of holiness is separation, being set apart in service of Him and perfection is like it, upholding righteousness at all times. But we are merely human; helplessly sinful, unless we abide in our Lord.

Only Jesus is perfect, but if we abide in Him, we are considered holy by Him; something we could never be on our own, as we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). And, in fact, God enables us and even calls us to be holy:

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” (Ephesians 1:4-5)

“because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1Peter 1:16)

“For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1Thessalonians 4:7-8)

Inasmuch as these verses do illustrate that God has made provisions in order that we may be holy, we can also be assured that He will also enable us to grow in the area of holiness, for we know that God never asks us to do anything that He doesn’t first give us the ability to do.

Nonetheless, many believers remain carnal in their relationship with God and fail to develop in holiness. But through God’s Word, we also see that those who have knowledge and belief in the Rapture are naturally propelled, inspired; made hungry to grow in holiness, as holiness readies us to meet Him and to stand before Him without shame; blameless. And thus, we are exhilarated knowing our eternity is oh so near!

Knowing about and loving the Rapture tends to propell us toward making ourselves more holy, in order of preparation to meet the Lord. In 2Timothy 4:7-8, Paul details an amazing reward for those who love His Appearing: “the Crown of Righteousness.”

Furthermore, inasmuch as we all have to stand before Him on Judgement Day, we will naturally feel a divine confidence in this otherwise frightening prospect, if through knowledge of the Rapture, we have assurance of our santification.

Furthermore, inasmuch as God’s Spirit is the power behind this holy transformation, perhaps in reward for our excitement, He will put so strong a desire within us to be holy, that it will come without struggle and difficulty.

This concept of believers becoming more holy because the Holy Spirit is working within them in preparation for the Rapture is seen in at least two places in Scripture and this ease is evident--

1John 3:1-3--

“3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

2Timothy 4:8--

"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.”

SCRIPTURE INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE--

1JOHN 3

--Verse 1 illustrates the depth of God’s Love for His children. Through calling believers ‘children of God,’ we see the adoption; no one can come to Him accept through Christ and when we do that in all sincerity, we are adopted into His family and become a child of God:

“having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” (Ephesians 1:5)

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4-7)

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

--Verse 2 This verse says we will see Him, this is one of many representations of the Rapture revealed in Scripture. The nearest parallel in the context presented here would be 1Thessalonians 4:16-17—

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Verse 3—John is saying that everyone who believes, or “has this hope,” will make themselves ready to face their LORD, thus, they will make themselves more holy, but something else that’s truly remarkable is that this increase in holiness is not described as an effort on the part of the believer, but a natural Holy Spirit-inspired transformation and may or may not be a major driving force of the believers’ awareness. For instance, you may just notice one day that you have been kinder and less self-centered lately.

2Timothy 4:8-- we see that God’s righteousness is developed within us because of our deep and abiding love for Him and there are rewards waiting for us in Heaven. Paul is speaking of one of the 5 crowns believers may receive on Judgement Day. This one is received by all who “loved His Appearing.” If we love righteousness, we abide in Him and His Ways; living for Him and Him alone in holiness, we will not have feelings of fear, hesitation or shame when He Appears in the clouds because we love Him and, therefore, want to be with Him, we will run with our arms open wide, well, jump with our arms open wide actually! Moreover, through the comfort and assurance of our personal sanctification, we won’t feel anything but unexplainable excitement and pure joy when He Appears in the clouds!

SIDE NOTE: Description/List of Other Crowns For The Saints--

--The Crown of Life, moving forward in our calling in the face of difficulty (James 1:12),

--The Crown of Joy, influencing others toward righteousness (Philippians 4:1 & 1Thessalonians 2:19)

--The Crown of Glory, finishing our assignment; staying in His Will (1Peter 5:4)

--The Incorruptible Crown, mastering the sin nature (1Corinthians 9:25)

The Day of the Lord

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thessalonians 5:1-23)

NKJV

I have been writing for many years. I really got serious when my 3 kids were still quite young, as they inspired me to write children's fiction. I now have 22 Amazon publications. Also, I've just completed a Bible study course. I am now a certified Bible Counsellor!