The Last Days Series #9 - “It’s Now YOUR Move”

We are all interested in the events that surround the last days. Many of us spend a great deal of time focused upon what is happening in the world, so that we can match up reality with the prophesied scriptures. But, although this is intriguing, we might be missing the most import aspect of living in the last days.

All of these Last Day signs and events are a wakeup call for all of us to evaluate our relationship with Christ, and prioritize our spirituality. As pictured above, many of us are living our life with one foot on a ladder of life, and the other on a different ladder that leads to God. We try to climb each ladder as high as we can go, but are limited in our advancement because we still have one foot on each of the ladder. We now find ourselves “stuck”, or at a point where we can no longer advance any higher up either of the ladders. For us to climb higher, we must make a choice and decide which ladder we will climb.

With God sending us His signs that we are nearing His return, are you willing remove your foot that is placed on the ladder of life, and move it over to the ladder that leads to God? Are you now ready to make this leap?

I fully understand the importance of some of the earthly tasks that we need to focus upon to be responsible individuals. Earning money to take care of our family is the right thing to do, and helps us fulfill our commitment to them that we will care for them and provide for the necessities of life. Realizing the need for some earthly activity, let me explain this choice in another way.

We all have goals in life. I would imagine that all of us would like to live in a huge house, decorated with furniture that is expensive and luxurious. We’d love to have a second house on the beach of paradise, where we could spend some relaxing time with family and friends in a care free environment. 

These goals require us to focus on gaining the money necessary to obtain these things. Since these goals are lofty, we would most likely dedicate every spare moment of our time focused upon what we need to do, then committing the time necessary to obtain them. Obtaining these things is what we desire more than anything else.

Even if having this mansion was accomplished in your life, sadly it is all temporary. You would certainly have time to enjoy it while you were here upon the earth, but then, the mansion from all of your hard work will vanish. Gone! I have not ever seen a trailer full of earthly possessions hooked up to a hearse at a funeral. That person who has died can only take what he has learned and progress developed as he climbed the spiritual ladder in life.

So, Does God have a reward for us in heaven? What has God promised us if we spend the same amount of energy and time focused upon developing our spirit? The Bible gives us some answers:

John 14:2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

I find the wording of this verse so telling. A mansion was the word that was selected to give us some insight as to what our reward would be. For those of us who were not able to live in an earthly mansion, isn’t it exciting to know that you have this possibility to live in one…”FOREVER”? Not just for several years while living on this earth, but to live in for all eternity. Have you ever thought of receiving such a reward from God as a result of doing the things that He has asked us to do on Earth? Why are we running a “marathon” in life to only get a temporary prize? Have we even registered for the heavenly race, by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior?

Here are some additional things that God has promised us if we work towards our spiritual development while here:

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Matthew 5:12 – Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 25:21 – His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

So I ask you; Doesn’t it make sense that we spend some time dedicated toward doing the things that will bring us lasting rewards for eternity, rather than just focus on obtaining earthly possessions that will leave us after we die? Temporary verses forever?

Sometimes it’s hard to do “spiritual” things because we ask, “why am I doing this anyway?” We do not fully consider the rewards that God has planned for us. Again, if you knew that it involved a mansion; the feeling of being a “king”, as well as other indescribable rewards that He has for us, wouldn’t that make you want to spend time doing the things that would give us all of that?

God gives us further insight regarding this concept in Matthew:

Matthew 6:19-21 – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Where is your heart right now? Obtaining earthly possessions, or is it your family, loving and serving others, being kind, and living a life that you know that God would be proud of? Just answering this question honestly is important to validate where you are in your relationship with God.

The time is short.  All of these signs happening right now are for the sole purpose of bringing people to Christ, and helping them prepare to meet God in the afterlife. This has now come down to answering the question: “What should I be doing in these Last Days?” Not just observing, but doing.

I invite you to see things in the eternal perspective, and go through the process of a mind shift from doing the things of this world that will give us earthly possessions, to thinking and believing the heavenly rewards as mentioned in these scriptures. Your PRIORITY should be doing those things that bring us closer to God, rather than chasing earthly pleasures. As we do this, our priorities will change into efforts that will pay big dividends. 

Start by praying each morning and night. Talk to God. Repent of your sins. Study about Jesus, and try to follow the things that He has asked us to do while we are here on planet Earth. Look for opportunities to do kind things for others. Your earthly life will be better as well as the mansion that God is preparing for you in Heaven.

River Wilde