Love His Appearing
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2Tim 4:8)
The Amplified Bible says, “...all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing”. It is debated whether Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, knew the time of Christ's appearing for His people. If he did know, he did not say. He did have insight, however, to some of the result of meeting the Lord. He knew something of what awaited him as a reward for living a life of faithfulness. Paul also knew that there was a special reward awaiting the Christian who longs for the appearing of Jesus.
Since the first century it was necessary that no one know the exact time of the Lord's return. Each generation had to believe that the Lord's appearing could be at any moment. In order for a person to long for that blessed event, they had to have the understanding that it could be at any time. If someone from the first century found out that it would be 2,000 years and Christians were still waiting for the Appearing of the Lord, it would be very discouraging. It would be almost impossible to “love his appearing”, knowing that your grandchildren are going to die of old age without any chance of witnessing His Appearing. Therefore, everyone has been given a legitimate hope of seeing Jesus come in the clouds (as He promised) all throughout the Church Age.
Every genuine believer thinks that Jesus might come in their lifetime because they want to believe it, and they are not wrong to do so. Things are actually designed this way. Remember, Jesus spoke to the Apostles of the Lamb and said that timing is in the Father's control only.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: (Dan 12:4)
The prophet Daniel was given remarkable prophecies. To many of them he was also given the interpretation. However, he was not given the timing of any of them. As the book ends Daniel is given the strict instructions to seal up the book. Daniel himself heard these things but could not understand any of it. The prophet himself could not understand any of these things he reported because the meaning was hidden from him and others.
If Daniel realized the importance of his revelatory experiences, he might have gone on tour visiting the synagogues telling about his visions. It would be like a man holding seminars about the contents of a locked box that he has never seen. Many do exactly that. They may be godly scholars but the book has been sealed up.
Until...
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Dan 12:4 KJV)
This is usually taught to mean that in the last days scientists, medical researchers, and other academics will come into a huge increase in general knowledge. This certainly has happened in our day. It is even predicted by “experts” that general knowledge will continue to grow exponentially as time goes on. There is no doubt this has been proven to be true as far as scientific data is concerned. When I read that same verse in the Septuagint I get an entirely different idea.
And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased. (LXX)
To me, this passage says that God's people who read and try to understand this book will be prevented from doing so except for the parts that are interpreted by the angel. However, as we get closer to the time of the end, people will slowly be granted knowledge and insight, not general scientific knowledge but understanding into the meaning of end time prophecies. How do we know if we are the generation that has full understanding of the book of Daniel? We don't but as we get closer to the end, our insight will increase. (Spiritual deception as a sign of the end times will increase also.)
Many have looked forward to the Appearing of Jesus according to the knowledge and insight that was granted to their generation. It was this way because everyone needed to be given a chance to be rewarded for longing for the Appearing of the Lord. They were not permitted to know the exact timing of the Rapture. People were not necessarily ignorant years ago, it is just that the book has been sealed until many are taught.
The final generation will have the book of Daniel opened to them. Not every individual necessarily but the final generation. We need not think that we are the final generation just because we may want it to be true. I think that many people today know intuitively that we are in very significant times.
We need to listen to men of God who have been given insight in these last days. How will we know who is real and who are false? Those who line up with the teachings of Jesus and are faithful to what He said are the genuine. Jesus said that when we hear that He is over here do not believe it. When you hear that He is inside there do not go to see if it is true. It is not true. Where should we look? Left or right? Neither. The true sign is unmistakable. Look up.
Look! He is coming with the clouds,... (Rev 1:7 HCSB)
The sign of Jesus' Appearing is not where everyone says He is. It is where He said it will be.
“Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20 AMP)
Nov 28, 2024