As you are well of by now this blog is entitled “Thoughts to ponder”. They are thoughts that I have before and/or are pondering presently. They are thoughts that you might ponder, as well. I found myself pondering and thus the title for these over the years. Now, I find myself doing it more. So what is pondering? Pondering is both a transitive and an intransitive verb.
As a transitive verb-
1: to weigh in the mind: APPRAISE pondered their chances of success
2: to think about: reflect on pondered the events of the day
as an intransitive verb-
: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
Some imperative forms of verbs can even make comprehensible one-word sentences like Run! Sing!
These are right out of the Merriman-Webster Dictionary. They define and explain how a word is used and thus understood. So I wanted to get a handle on what it is I am doing with you each week. I am sharing the things I am pondering and hoping they will be something that you might ponder, too. I will also say that these weekly posts do not include the wide range of things I find myself pondering each day and each week. They are however those things that I am led by God to share with you. Because many of those things do not warrant my commenting on or embracing in this form.
So with that said, I find myself pondering again the question that is before each of us today. What in the world is going on and what is going to happen? As I write this week, there is a continuing situation in Europe with Russia preparing, it appears now, to enter Ukraine. It is reported that in the European Union there is a move toward digital currency. We are talking crypto on steroids. They would have the ability to even control how you can use the funds that are yours. Very concerning and something we should all be aware of and watch. China and Taiwan are another major international situation that requires close attention. We are quickly able to see the Biblical prophecy of the end times in Matthew 24:6-KJV
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
As I have shared in previous blogs, I believe that the next major prophecy to be fulfilled is Christ coming back for the church. All born again believers are taken out of this world as described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
When you consider this pending event there is the question. How and what does all that is going on today have to do with it specifically? That is a great question and there is much to consider but for the sake of this blog today, alet me provide an answer to some of the things you are thinking about.
Suffice it to say that we have always been in the end times. When sin entered the garden with the fall of man we have been on a course to the end time on earth. Both as mankind and as individuals. We know that Jesus is “the lamb slain from the foundation of the earth” as seen in Revelation 13:8 and since Jesus died to defeat death and rose from the dead we have eternal life by accepting God’s free gift through Jesus His Son.
Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV continue-
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
We are to encourage one another and that is exactly what I am doing today with you. Encouraging you because if you look at all that is going on around you and do not have the right perspective then you will struggle.
Remember in Matthew 24 Jesus words?
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Well, later in the chapter Matthew provides additional comments by Jesus on this subject. He describes what the world, in general, will look like when He returns. I have read these words throughout my life and they are as real today as they were the first time I read them. That will be true for those who come after us if Jesus doesn't return first, and is true for those who went before us. We have always been as Jesus says-
37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
You say OK Pastor I get what you are saying but what does all that mean? Well, it means that life will go on each day. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come so the only thing to do is live this day or as they say carpe diem, seize the day. Things will be good and things will be bad. People will be born and people will die. Some days will be better than others. Then some days will be just awful. Remember what your Savior told you Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
God bless and have a wonderful day in the Lord.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy