COME, LORD JESUS 1

20 HE who testifies to these things says, “SURELY I AM COMING QUICKLY.”
AMEN. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN."
Revelation 22:20,21 (NKJV)

• The theme of this teaching talks about the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming soon!
8 BUT you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A DAY IS LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS TO THE LORD, AND A THOUSAND YEARS IS LIKE A DAY. 9 THE LORD ISN'T REALLY BEING SLOW ABOUT HIS PROMISE, as some people think. NO, HE IS BEING PATIENT FOR YOUR SAKE. HE DOES NOT WANT ANYONE TO BE DESTROYED BUT WANTS EVERYONE TO REPENT. 10 BUT the day of the Lord will come AS UNEXPECTEDLY AS A THIEF. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment" (2 Peter 3:8-10 (NLT).

• In God's Programme, we are already in the third day:
1 COME AND let us return to the Lord; For He has TORN, BUT He will heal US; He has stricken, BUT He will bind us up. 2 AFTER TWO DAYS HE WILL REVIVE US; ON THE THIRD DAY HE WILL RAISE US UP, THAT WE MAY LIVE IN HIS SIGHT" (Hosea 6:2 NKJV).

• Since a day is like a thousand years, we are at the third day in God's programme; about the second coming of Jesus Christ, on planet earth.
• A Believer who had hope and is expectant of His coming would keep himself or herself.
• A professed Christian who lives in sins habitually, does not have any Hope:
  12 looking for and hastening the COMING OF THE DAY OF GOD, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, AND the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 NEVERTHELESS WE, according to His promise, LOOK FOR NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH IN WHICH RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, BE DILIGENT TO BE FOUND BY HIM IN PEACE, WITHOUT SPOT AND BLAMELESS" (2 Peter 3:12-14).

• In the passage of the Bible that was used as the text, Revelation 22; there are some points which are important to Note:
(i) Jesus said He is coming quickly, and that with the reward to be given to everyone according to his or her work (Revelation 22:12).
(ii) Those who did His commandments are blessed, they would have the right to the Tree of Life, and would enter the city, New Jerusalem, through the Gates (Revelation 22:14).
(iii) But the sinners who are typified as; dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie, would be outside—they would be barred, prevented, from entering the city (Revelation 22:15).
(iv) The Spirit and the bride say "Come!"
a. Let whoever hear say "Come!"
b. Let the whoever thirst come.
c. Whoever desires, let such take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).
(v) He who testifies to these things says, "SURELY I AM COMING QUICKLY [soon]" (Revelation 22:20).
THE response in that same verse 20 of Revelation 22 says: "AMEN. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS!"

• Whoever is expecting the coming of Jesus has a responsibility to prepare for Him:
12 AS YOU WAIT FOR AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMING OF THE DAY OF GOD. When that day comes, the skies will be destroyed with fire, and everything in them will melt with heat. 13 BUT GOD MADE A PROMISE TO US, AND WE ARE WAITING FOR A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH WHERE GOODNESS LIVES. 14 DEAR FRIENDS, SINCE YOU ARE WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, DO YOUR BEST TO BE WITHOUT SIN AND WITHOUT FAULT. TRY TO BE AT PEACE WITH GOD" (2 Peter 3:12-14 —New Century Version).

• In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). It should be noted that, they were all virgins. This symbolizes they were Believers, who were living right, and did not defile themselves (Matthew 25:1; Revelation 14:4).
• The five foolish ones who were unable to enter with the bridegroom, did, because of poor Preparations (Matthew 25:3). Being not sensitive to the leadings of God.
• If they were sensitive, they would have known that the bridegroom's coming might be delayed, thus, a need for extra oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:5).
• It thus means, they were not living in blatant Sins per SE, but they may have not been serious with their Christian lives and their assignments; they were living a carefree live, and gave themselves to the affairs of life, and did entangle themselves with such:
  "NO ONE ENGAGED IN WARFARE ENTANGLES HIMSELF [herself] WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE, that he [she] may PLEASE HIM WHO ENLISTED HIM [her] AS A SOLDIER" (2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV).

• Another important thing is, they all slumbered and slept off (Matthew 25:5).

• It means a Believer might miss it, or find himself or herself in slumbering state, probably because of weariness. Such slumbering could lead to apathy in spiritual exercises. However, such a believer should not remain in that state. The moment the believer has the opportunity or the privilege of being awakened, he or she should be on their feet for God.
• The Disciples who could be considered the inner caucus of Jesus Christ in His earthly Ministry, slumbered, and slept on several important occasions which they supposed NOT.
• They slept at the Mountain of transfiguration (Luke 9:28-35); and at the garden of Gethsemane; but the Lord did Encourage them and strengthened them:
  37 THEN HE RETURNED TO HIS DISCIPLES AND FOUND THEM SLEEPING. “Simon,” HE [Jesus] SAID TO PETER, “ARE YOU ASLEEP? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 WATCH AND PRAY SO THAT YOU WILL NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK" (Mark 14:37,38 NIV).
• The other five wise virgins also slumbered and slept, but the difference between them and the foolish ones is, they were more sensitive and serious with their walk with God.
• Their meeting with the bridegroom was a major priority to them, they took it seriously, and were anticipating meeting Him.
  THEY had a good preparation, which could be deduced through their attitude, they took along extra oil for their lamps—they did not take any chance.

• If a Believer seems to be wearied, thus slumbered, and slept, God would not be outrightly cast away such.
HE is a merciful God; HE would rather Encourage and renew the strength of Such—whoever is slumbering.

• But it all started with the attitude of the person to the things of God.
  HAS the person been faithful in the assignment all along?
  WHAT heart does he or she has when they missed it?
  DOES the person tremble at the Word of God?
  DOES he or she has a contrite Heart when they missed it?
  “FOR all these things My hand has made, so all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. “BUT TO THIS ONE I WILL LOOK [graciously], TO HIM WHO IS HUMBLE AND CONTRITE [penitent, remorseful] IN SPIRIT, AND WHO [reverently] TREMBLES AT MY WORD AND HONOURS MY COMMANDS" (Isaiah 66:2 (Amps).

• Remember all of them slept off, but they were roused, awakened, by the shout or cry of the coming of the bridegroom (Matthew 25:6).

• Those without extra oil discovered that the oil in their lamps is exhausted and extra oil is needed.
• They went to buy oil, but the bridegroom came before they returned, and those who were ready went in with Him; and the door was shut against the foolish ones (Matthew 25:10).
• The Admonition of Jesus Christ in the parable is found in the verse 13 of that chapter, Matthew 25: “SO YOU, TOO, MUST KEEP WATCH! FOR YOU DO NOT KNOW THE DAY OR HOUR OF MY RETURN." (NLT)
• Poor preparations and being carefree could make a Believer miss the coming of Jesus Christ.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, such is rebuked and uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
• Affliction will never rise again in your life in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!
  TO BE CONTINUED