SINCE OUR FATHERS FELL ASLEEP

2 Peter 3:3-4.This was the argument of the people of the apostolic era who felt that the promise of Jesus return was already taking longer than expected. This expression of doubt about the return of Christ has trailed generations following, up to this very moment. Apostle Peter reported that people were already asking when the promise would be fulfilled because as they said, since the days of their fathers they had been hearing of the soon return of Jesus. This point is even harder to many Christians to address today.

It is quite obvious that Jesus did not want us to go to sleep and therefore would always keep us on the alert by ensuring that we are in the spirit of expectancy at all times. The scriptures have revealed that Jesus could not have come before Israel became a nation in 1948 because that was crucial to the return of Christ. The scriptures foretell that the generation (people born during that time) would not have all died before Jesus comes � Matthew 24:32-34. That scripture only gives us a general idea (seasons) of his return. 1st Thessalonians 5 says we are not in darkness that the day should overtake us as a thief and we are not to sleep as others. It will be night time of the age and a time for people to normally go to sleep spiritually but we are admonished not to sleep. Matthew 25:1-10 also shows that it will be at night time (depending on the geographical area) when the bridegroom will come and you can hear the voice saying �behold, the bridegroom cometh go ye out to meet him�. That is what this message is all about!

People have often confused themselves with the statement of Jesus that �no man knoweth the day or the hour�. Jesus meant exactly what he said and he knows the difference between day, hour, week, month and year. So, no man will know the day nor the hour but the season will be revealed and has already been revealed in the scriptures. 1st Thessalonians 1:5-8 says �but of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you, for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and Safety (seasons) then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that, that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. The Bible interprets itself. The season given in that scripture points to a time the world will enter an era of peace and co-existence.

Rev 19.10

A time when there will be unity as one global family, just as it was during the time of Nimrod; the scripture says they were of one language and one speech and they wanted to achieve greatness in rebellion against God.

Are the nations today not trying to unify and achieve greatness without the Lord Jesus Christ? Religions are being compelled to merge and eliminate their differences, in which case, they attempt to make Jesus a liar because He declared, and rightly, too, that He is the only way to Life Eternal.

The scripture testifies that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. In other words, his testimonial is, his ability to foretell the future; Rev 19.10.

Firstly, Jesus warned the Jews that the temple in Jerusalem which was revered by many of them would be destroyed by the Roman army. This fulfilled 40 years after, in AD70 when Titus, the Roman general came against Jerusalem with his army, overthrew it, and destroyed the temple. In addition to that, Jesus on his way to the cross admonished the women of Jerusalem that they should not weep for him but for their children and children�s children. These two prophecies have fulfilled to utter perfection. It is common knowledge that the Jews have suffered more than any other people in the world. Almost everywhere they go they are seen different from others, perhaps because of their ability to retain their identity and worship. This has brought them much tribulation over time, culminating in the avowed determination of Hitler to annihilate the Jewish nation. A threat carried out but not accomplished.

It is important to note that 2000 years passed over the Jewish nation before they could return to their fatherland in the Middle East. This one too is fulfilment of Bible prophecy. See the following scriptures:

• John 4:40: So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

• John 11:6: When he had heard therefore that he (Lazarus) was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

  The two days that Jesus spent with the Samaritans types the two thousand years that he would spend with the Gentiles before returning to the Jews.

Acts 17:22-23

Also the two days he waited before going to raise Lazarus types the two thousand years before he comes back to restore the Jews. Paul declared in Romans 11:25-30 that blindness in part happened to the Jews until the times of the Gentiles (non-Jews) are fulfilled. That blindness is like the sleep of Lazarus.

Some of the signs are (1) falling away from the truth 2nd Thessalonians. Today there are more churches than ever in history, yet the number of true Sons of God are far less than expected because the church has adopted the ways of the world and many are not truly born again and live in sin. You hear some who claim to be Christians supporting same sex marriage. Have they no knowledge of Romans 1:27; Leviticus 18:22, etc. Sign number 2, the world has become a global village. Today the idea of Nimrod is being executed by men � to build a world of peace and progress without God, Genesis 11. The economic and security challenge the world is facing has given rise to the search for �a� strongman to rule the world, Revelation 13.

One truth that is glaring people in the face is that they do not know for sure what happens when they die and as a result many are afraid because death can come at any moment.

There is only one assurance of safety both in this life and hereafter, that is Jesus Christ the Lord. Most people do not know, but he is the One and only true God, the Creator of the whole realms. This much he revealed of himself on the mount of transfiguration Matthew 17:2. Paul in speaking of him to the Athenians revealed him as the unknown God, Acts 17:22-23. The Athenians knew that apart from all the idols and icons they worshipped, there was the highest and the true creator of all that they could not reach, so they built him a temple �To The Unknown God�!

Receive the Lord Jesus Christ today and be saved. If you are a backslider, return to your God. There is time no longer. Rev 10. Turn away from your unrighteousness and receive the engrafted word of God that is able to make you free! AMEN.

Benjamin Oramalueziokwu Nwoye
palmoniangel@yahoo.com

By Benjamin O. Nwoye