Waste Girded Lamp Burning
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:35-36, 40 NKJV.
Paul addressed his readers during a tough time politically. I believe the Holy Spirit would address us in the midst of our own political, environmental, social, viral and economic challenges. One of His messages to us, is a reminder that Jesus is coming again, soon.
We don’t seem to hear much about it, but it is something big which happens to be a massive part of God’s plan. Jesus is coming back again. He came the first time as the suffering Saviour. But He’ll come very differently the second time.
Jesus is our Saviour. He came to the earth to go to the Cross and pay the price to save us. That. Is. Incredible. We can be saved from the power of our sins. I never tire of the wonder of this great fact, that because of Jesus, I am saved!
We must get this message out. That Jesus came to save us from hell, and reserve a place in heaven for us.
Jesus’ first coming was to suffer on the Cross and rise again for you and me. His second coming will be different. This time He will come as conquering King, to gather and receive all the saints to Himself, to forever be with Him.
The Bible informs us of some of the aspects of His second coming.
- 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [h]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Mark 13:26-27 NKJV - 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His[d]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:30-31 NKJV - 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]16 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. 17 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.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV.
Here’s a simple list of some of the characteristics of the second coming of Jesus.
But how do we prepare and ready ourselves for this great event? Jesus Himself has given us some guidance already.
Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning Luke 17:35 NKJV.
How are we to wait?
Let your waist be girded.
With all hindrances tied up and out of the way, everything that could trip us up, is dealt with, so that we can walk and run unhindered. It is keeping short accounts with God. It is quick to repent. It is quick to shed ideas and mindsets unhelpful to our walk with God. It is quick to take on mindsets helpful to our walk with God. It is about being right with God and in close fellowship every moment.
And your lamps burning.
Filled with the Holy Spirit! Filled with His presence, His Word, filled with God Himself.
For the lamp to burn three things are needed.
Firstly there must be a structure to burn the oil, a lamp.
That’s us, our body. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is maintaining a healthy lifestyle spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally, in every way. Because it is us, our life (body) that is the container so to speak, of God.
Secondly there must be a supply of oil.
This is maintaining a walk with the Spirit. Committed to a regular routine of connecting with God. Quick to be where we can be filled and refreshed by His Spirit and Word.
Thirdly there must be a flame.
That’s the oil the Holy Spirit coming out, not just there, held in the container, but doing what He does through us. Functioning in our gifts, using what we have, being who God has made us to be. Let’s burn for Jesus; not burn out, but burn brightly, with His supply, His energy, burning and glowing and functioning in His power and being a bright light in a dark world.
The world situation at this time is not unknown to God. Events are taking place that may seem outside of God’s knowledge and sovereignty. But, there is a plan. World events are hastening towards that great day, when Jesus will come again! Then He will deliver us from the sin, lawlessness and depravity so prevalent today.
In the meantime, lets not be consumed by the message of the covid virus, but lets be encouraged by the message that Jesus will come back, a second time, to gather us to Himself, and forever we will be with Him.
Let’s have our waist girded (free and ready to serve), and our lamp burning (our life filled with the Holy Spirit, being who we are, and doing what we’re called to do).
Oh come Lord Jesus! Come and take us home.
Tribute to Rodney Francis.
My good friend Rodney Francis went to be with the Lord this last week. Many Brief Word readers will know him or know of him. You will each have your own memories of him. I thank God for him. He was a great encourager of my ministry and particularly of my writing. He will be great missed. His sense of humour was contagious. His prophetic accuracy was consistent. His exemplary lifestyle was complete. His prolific writing was heart-felt. His loyal friendship was genuine. Our love and prayers go out to Jean and his family. Our knowledge is that he is now with the One he loved and served.
