The Lateness of the Hour*

 

     I have been talking for decades about the coming of the Lord, especially in view of the signs that are appearing such as the end time lining up of the nations against Israel. The message from Jesus given to Dr. Richard Eby, with which he titled one of his books, was "Tell them I am Coming." The Church needs to hear the message and prepare.

     Jesus told those around Him: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is yet day: the night cometh, when no man can work." (Jn. 9:4). He explained that while He was in the world, He was the light of the world. He said that those who believed in Him, including us, were also the light of the world. Are we being light? Are we working the works of the Father?

     Jesus also told a parable about a widow who came before an unjust judge demanding justice from him. The judge, not fearing God nor man, at first thought to refuse to do as she asked but then reconsidered. He thought it would be easier to do as the woman asked than to have her keep bothering him with her request. Jesus contrasted the unjust judge to the Just God: "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily (tachos - quickness, speedily, shortly). Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith in the earth?" (Lk. 18:1-8, excerpt). God's people should be in constant prayer. Paul said, "Pray always." Jesus said to pray to be accounted worthy. Peter said that in the last days, many would scoff saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" Unlike the world, God's people should pray and live knowing that He comes speedily.

     Paul tells the Church to keep the true doctrine that they have been taught, avoiding those who teach otherwise, thereby causing divisions and offences. They teach false doctrines that deceive many not for the cause of Christ but for their own gain. (Rom. 16:17-18). 

     However, in contrast to those above, by a believer's obedience to the truth, Paul promised: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly (tachos - same as above). The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (v. 19-20). There are people in the Church teaching contrary to the Word of Gold. Hold fast to the Word, which is truth. Satan has been running rampant through the House of God. Remember that judgment begins in the House of God. Jesus wouldn't tolerate the self-interest and merchandising for gain that had been established in the Temple of God in Jerusalem. He overturned tables and chased them out with whips of cords saying that God's House was to be a House of prayer. Walk in the ways of righteousness, and fill God's Temple (we are the temple of the Holy Spirit) with prayer, as is the will of God.

     The Book of Revelation opens with the announcement to John of the unveiling of future events which "must shortly (tachos - see above) come to pass." (Rev. 1:1). Revelation is also called Apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling, revealing, coming, appearing" in Greek. Some of the devastation and destruction that the world has recently experienced, including the fires around Los Angeles, are described as "apocalyptic" in the press, and the disasters fall on both the rich and the poor, the famous and the unknown, and upon those who are no more sinful than others (see Luke 13:1-5). Only repentance can preserve them and us from perishing. as Jesus said.

     As Paul had written, Jesus said to the Church in Revelation: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly (tachy - quickly, speedily [without delay]): hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Rev. 3:10-11). Jesus will keep those who keep His Word. Are we holding fast and standing for righteousness? The prophet asked, "...who may abide the day of his coming? who shall stand when He appeareth?" (Mal. 3:2).

     The New Jerusalem, the city of God that descends from heaven, is described in Rev. 22. It contains the tree of life with leaves for healing on either side of a pure river. The thrones of God and the Lamb, Jesus, is in the city, where we will see His face, and His name will be written in our foreheads. There will be no more curse and no night because the city is filled with the light given by the LORD God, reigning forever. (Rev. 22:1-5). 

     The Lord revealed to John above that the time is not far away but soon: "And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly (tachos - see above) be done. Behold, I come quickly (tachy - see above): blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (v. 6-7). Again, we see that this is a quick work, and there is a blessing for those who keep His Word.

     Again the unfolding of these events is imminent according to Revelation: "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand...And behold, I come quickly (tachy - see above); and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega (Aleph-Tav in Hebrew), the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (v. 10-14). If these events, including the coming of the Lord, were described as happening "quickly" two thousand years ago, how much sooner are they to take place now? Two "days" have passed, and we are now in the third "day" ("one day is as a thousand years...") since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The time is at hand, especially as we see Israel preparing to build the end time third temple in Jerusalem, spoken of by the prophets. Do His commandments and keep the words of His patience and of His prophecies.

     Regarding His prophetic Words, Jesus warned: "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly (tachy- see above). Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (v. 19-20).

     Those who will not be able to enter the city are described as "dogs (kyon - a dog; a man of impure mind, an impudent man), sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and "whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." (v. 15). It is time to prepare and repent.

     Jude wrote of the "spots" sitting among the believers - those who speak evil and have impure motives: having envious and resentful thoughts like Cain had towards his brother, the greed for reward of Balaam, and the rebellious thoughts and actions of Core/Korah against Moses, as well as mockers, murmurers, and complainers walking after their lusts rather than the Spirit (v. 10-13, 16-18).

     Jude also quoted Enoch who prophesied: "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." (v. 14). Jude added: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (v. 20-21). Unlike those "spots" mentioned above, we are to pray in the Holy Spirit and to remain in faith.

     The prophet Zephaniah wrote: "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness...Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land." (Zeph. 1:14-18, excerpt).

     Zephaniah wrote that the LORD would search men by the candle of His Spirit, who feel safe and complacent, who say: "The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." (v. 12). There are those, even among God's people, who do not believe that the LORD will act in either in blessing or judgment. The LORD will make a special search for them. The LORD promises to act with speed.

     Paul assured the Church that judgment of God is true and sure. He wrote about those who mistook God's patience and goodness towards them for weakness in judgment, not realizing that the goodness of the Lord was extending time for them time to repent. However, the hard and unrepentant heart "treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds...Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also the Gentile; for there is no respect of persons with God." (Rom. 2:4-11, excerpt).

     The extended goodness of God should lead to repentance (see 2 Chron. 7:14). Jesus called for repentance and told a parable about a man who had planted a fig tree (regarded as a symbol of Israel) in his vineyard. After three years, when the tree should have produced fruit, the man found none. He ordered his dresser of the vineyard to cut down the unfruitful tree that took the nutrients and water from the ground but produced nothing. The dresser asked the man, calling him Lord, for more time for the fig tree. He said that he would loosen the soil around the tree and add fertilizer: "And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." (Luke 2:6-9). When the Lord grants more time, it is with the expectation of then seeing fruits of righteousness in His people, rather than continuing fruitlessness.

     Paul wrote: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema (cursed, doomed to destruction), Maran-atha (meaning "our Lord cometh or will come"; an exclamation of approaching divine judgment). The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (1 Cor. 16:22-23). As we can see, Maran-atha can also mean a cry of warning that divine judgment is approaching with the coming of the Lord. This calls for repentance and obedience to His Word. Scripture also says that judgment begins in the House of the LORD.

     *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 1/12/25 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at Kenneth Stevenson. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook.