THE END OF THE YEAR 2014 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER: EVERYTHING THAT HAS A BEGINNING MUST HAVE AN END The clocks are ticking and we are just counting down the hours to the end of the Year 2014. What a joy and a great privilege to see the end of this year! As we approach the closing of this year, it is important to consider several lessons we all need to learn from times and seasons. May The LORD give us the grace to become like the sons of Issachar who had the understanding of the times (1 CHRONICLES 12:32), in Jesus Name! Eternity contrasts sharply with times and seasons. Not only are these extremes, they are mutually contradictory. The words transience (or transiency), transitoriness, temporariness, impermanence and ephemerality are antonyms of the word ETERNITY. The meaning of all these antonyms perfectly describe times and seasons. Transience (or transiency) is the state or quality of passing with time, or lasting for a short time only. Similarly, transitoriness is defined as, existing or lasting only a short time; short-lived or temporary. Likewise, temporariness means lasting, used, serving or enjoyed for a limited time. Also impermanence is defined as, not lasting or durable; not permanent. Correspondingly, ephemerality conveys the meaning of lasting for a markedly brief time; living or lasting only for a day, as certain plants or insects do; a markedly short-lived thing. In stark contrast, ETERNITY is defined as a state to which time has no application; timelessness; infinite; time without beginning or end. While on earth, we live in times and seasons; but after death, we cross over to eternity, a state to which time has no application. The Times and the Seasons on earth, were created by God. The Bible says in GENESIS 1:14-18, Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and SEASONS, and for DAYS AND YEARS; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good (NKJV - emphasis mine). We read also in PSALM 104:19-23, He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its going down. You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. In Gods great promise to Noah, the LORD said in GENESIS 8:22, While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, WINTER AND SUMMER, AND DAY AND NIGHT shall not cease (NKJV - emphasis mine). The Bible also says in DANIEL 2:21, AND HE CHANGES THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS… (NKJV - emphasis mine). GOD CHANGES TIMES AND SEASONS! In Times and Seasons, nothing is permanent. Times and Seasons speak of IMPERMANENCE, TEMPORARINESS, TRANSIENCE AND EPHEMERALITY! Everything that has a beginning must have an end. A second has a beginning and an end. One second comes to an end and gives way to another second. 60 seconds make a minute. One minute comes to an end and gives way to another minute. 60 minutes make an hour. An hour has a beginning and an end. One hour comes to an end and gives way to another hour. Morning gives way to afternoon: afternoon to evening: and evening to night! 24 hours make a day. Seven days make a week. A week has a beginning and an end. A week comes to an end and gives way to another week. Several weeks give way to a month. A month has a beginning and an end. All the four seasons: spring, summer, fall (autumn) and winter have a beginning and an end. 12 months make a year. A year which had a beginning now comes to an end and another year begins! God changes Times and Seasons. Nothing is permanent! THE BEGINNING GIVES WAY TO THE END, AND THE END GIVES WAY TO THE BEGINNING! In like manner, just as God created times and seasons of the year, there are also times and seasons in everybodys life. These times and seasons of life, are not permanent. A time or season of life also has a beginning and an end. The Bible says in ECCLESIASTES 3:1-4, To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. God wants us to understand that just as the year comes in and goes out, whatever we pass through in life is only temporary. Like a year which has a beginning and an end, our problems also have a beginning and an end! Beloved, the year 2014 with all its pomposity and grandiosity, will be history in only hours away! As you celebrate the end of the year, also celebrate the end of the hard times you have been passing through this year. Beloved, have you been going through some hard times with health, family, financial, ministry, career, academic, political or relationship issues? As you celebrate the end of the year, also meditate in your heart, There is a time of failure, and a time of success; there is a time to be a bachelor or a spinster, and a time to marry; there is a time to be barren, and a time to be fruitful; there is a time to be sick, and a time to be healed;….. Our God, The author of Times and Seasons, is in total control! The God who changes times and seasons, and who declares the end from the beginning (ISAIAH 46:9-10), is about to change your situation! Those hard times that came in your life this year, with pomposity and grandiosity; soon will be history! If you really believe it, SHOUT A BIG AMEN! However, there is something more to learn. As discussed earlier, eternity contrasts sharply with times and seasons. Not only are these extremes, they are mutually contradictory. In Heaven, there is no sun or moon, or night-time. The Bible says in REVELATION 21:23, 25, The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). We also read in REVELATION 21:4, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. This is also referred to as ETERNAL LIFE (JOHN 5:24 NIV), or EVERLASTING LIFE (JOHN 5:24 KJV). As we fast approach the end of the year 2014, we should also remember that in the same manner, we are fast approaching the end of our lives. There is a time to be born and a time to die! And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (HEBREWS 9:27 KJV). What judgment? When we die, we cross over to eternity, a state which, time has no application. We either cross over to ETERNAL LIFE (JOHN 5:24 NIV) or ETERNAL TORMENT (MATTHEW 25:41; LUKE 16:22-31 NIV). Who will cross over to eternal life? The Bible gives us the answer in PROVERBS 28:13, He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Beloved, are you prepared to meet your God? (AMOS 4:12). A good number of people have desired to see the end of this year, but they have not made it. Are you better than them? No, not at all! This is only an undeserved free gift of God. If so, then why are you planning to celebrate the end of this year by doing those things that do not please God? Do you know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? The Bible says in ROMANS 2:4-6, Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds. Beloved, I believe that you are a person with a heart of thanksgiving. If so, then you will be wise to finish the year by learning more about how you can be saved from eternal torment, and receive your salvation today! Learn more by visiting this link bishopzacharykakobe.org/en/the-greatest-miracle Beloved, its like Im hearing you say, With me its OK, Im saved. Its well and good that youre saved, but how did you spend this year? Have you been fruitful? Have you been the salt of the earth and the light of the world? (MATTHEW 5:13-16). We are saved to serve God (EXODUS 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3; 12:30-31). Have you brought others to Jesus this year? (JOHN 1:40-42). If you are a Preacher, have you been faithful to preach the Word, in season and out of season, throughout the year? (2 TIMOTHY 4:2-5). If you are a Pastor, have you been faithful to feed His lambs and tend His sheep this year? (JOHN 21:15-17; LUKE 12:42-44). To what extent this year, have you laid up for yourself treasures in heaven, by providing for the Gospel from your substance, knowing that we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out? (MATTHEW 6:19-21; LUKE 8:1-3; 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10). Have you been faithful in intercession this year, knowing that prayerlessness is sin? (1 SAMUEL 12:23). We must work the works of Him who sent us, while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work (JOHN 9:4). Let me finish my message by reading from LUKE 13:6-9, He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down. Is the LORD speaking to you personally through this parable? If so, speak with me these words, SIR, LET IT ALONE THIS YEAR 2015 ALSO! May His Grace surround you as you close out the year 2014 and bring in The Year of Our Lord 2015! Wishing You a Happy and Blessed New Year 2015 in both your physical and spiritual life!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:36:44 +0000
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