Pilot Knob Lutheran Preparing 11/20/2024
Following the liturgical church year, we are currently in the” end times.” That means the focus is on what the bible says about the end of all things. There are numerous passages that speak of the end, especially revelation. Sometimes this topic can be confusing, frightening, and hard to understand. Especially difficult is the symbolic language and passages like Matthew 24 that talk about the signs preceding the destruction of Jerusalem (70AD) and the end of the world.
I’m not going to wade into specific details about those signs and ‘daily headlines.’ I simply want to remind us of a few things. First, there will be an end to all things. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.1 John 2:17
Secondly, it is not uncommon to hear teachers and preachers tell us that Christians will not experience the tribulation that is described in Revelation, but will be removed from earth prior to that time. This is simply not true and is not in scripture. Jesus tells us we will experience trouble. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have the world.” For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, Philippians 1:29. Persecution and suffering of various kinds come with the Christian life as it did with Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. The words ‘caught up’ are translated from Latin for rapture. Paul is simply stating that when Jesus returns Christians who are alive will rise up to be with the saints who had died and continue on to heaven to be with the Lord forever.
The remaining question is, are you preparing mentally and spiritually for the possibility of being alive during the great tribulation? That is, the unbelieving world’s attack against the church and everything that stands for God? When Jesus was attacked by Satan in the wilderness and false religious leaders, he answered them with the Word of God that was always on his mind. Are you storing the Word in your mind?
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today: Confirmation class 4:30
OCC drop off begins this week from 4:00-6:00
Sunday 24, 9:00 AM Morning worship service. Sermon: The Law of the Spirit and Sin Romans 8:1-17 You can listen on KIOW at 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM, or KGLO at 1300AM at 10:00 AM. Your feedback is welcomed.
Congregational meeting following the service.
If you have any article or God sighting you would like to share with the congregation please submit it for publication in the Briefings.pastorbob@pilotknob.org
GriefShare Sunday 1, 2:00-3:30. For more information go to: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup or contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese.
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
