Genesis 1:1 (NKJV) — 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth.
Revelation 22:21 (NKJV) — 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you all. Amen.
I just listened to Max Lucado speak and I am now listening to “Mere Christianity”
by C. S. Lewis. (Today is the anniversary of Lewis’s death, November 22, 1963.)
Not much was made over his death 60 years ago. Another death
occurred on that day that made the news and talked about for days, weeks,
years and even today.
I begin with two important verses in the Bible. They are the beginning and
the end of the Bible, the written Word of God. They are important because
the Bible IS the written Word of God. These two verses encapsulate the
written Word of God. We know there was a beginning of creation and who
the Creator was. We know there will be an end when Jesus returns.
Knowing the Bible is essential for all people, especially the Christian. We
know God created and that Jesus is coming again. There was a beginning
and there will be an end. What do we do with what is between the two? John
writes this in Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are those who do His
commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may
enter through the gates into the city.” What happens between God creating
and the second coming of Christ is not just time, it is what we do with the
time. The follower of Christ has a responsibility of serving God! There is
great evil in this world. By evil- I define it as- anything done outside of the will
of God. Therefore, many churches are practicing evil. John writes in
Revelation 22:15, “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral
and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
Churches may be packed with people but are they blessed? In Revelation
22:14, John writes, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they
may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into
the city.” I wonder, if the Rapture was during a Sunday morning how many
would be left behind in the church? The church is not a social club.
We know God created and we know Christ will return. What are we willing to
do with that time in between?