Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

We Christians certainly live in very exciting times. The daily newspaper and evening news consistently communicate news that is of interest to us for sure. I’m more concerned, however, about my reaction to the Word of God rather than to current events. Let me explain.

The passage quoted above from the Bible is absolutely true. However, you need only to take a Bible Commentary from each century and you will draw the obvious conclusion that our seeing through a glass darkly explanation of Biblical passages can be, and often is, of private interpretation.

We shouldn’t need to see the revived Roman Empire developing in Europe, or the occurrences in the Middle East before we get our act together. We shouldn’t need to witness pandemics and senseless acts of violence and terrorism in our own nation before we’re motivated to get intimate with Jesus. We should get our act together and be intimate with Jesus because God says to in His Word.

Indeed, we’re to do this knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Having said that, Paul then declared: let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light – put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.

In other words, the second coming of Christ is an incentive to live holy, no matter what generation you live in. Jesus told of the rich man in hell who made the appeal to send someone to warn his five brothers lest they also come to this place of torment. Jesus said that they have the Scriptures; let them hear them.

Good advice, Lord. Let us hear your word, do it, and bring forth fruit that shows that we have been with you.