Jesus said this to me—The status quo, the normal thing for us —and has been for too long is—we are not ready for Him to come. He said If He came now many would be shocked at His response to them (Matthew 7:21-23).
I hear Jesus saying this is a season (right now) of getting ready for His return. That this is the last warning we will have before He comes—His status quo!
Our status quo is —NOT READY AND NOT LISTENING! I know I have heard You are coming JESUS —but busy, call you later.
HAVE EARS TO HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING!
Jesus is telling me to tell you that we don't get it, the Kingdom of God is taken by force, we have to go after it, it is a fight! Yet —we are acting like there is no effort involved, nothing to do. We act like it is done, it is finished and we can lay on our hammock and rest until He gets here.
It was finished that day, and it was finished for Jesus, His passion was accomplished. But ours? —When He left He said we should take over. We should do what He was doing.
John 14:12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. AMPC
Jesus’ assignment was finished and then He left us in charge. So even if you think you're good, that you are ready for His return In your estimation) if you're not doing your part —your part of the greater work, your work isn't finished, and you are not ready.
The five virgins were not ready and if we are not ready, if we bury our talent —we will be rejected as were they (Matthew 25)!
Paul finished the race. He did what he was called to do.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. AMPC
Well, maybe you're thinking he was appointed. So are you, if you are a follower you have a part (John 14:12). If you believe then you will do what Jesus was doing.
How rude of us—Jesus gave His life for us, He overcame —yet we are laying around like there is nothing to do. There are things to do like —HARVEST SOULS, our part of being ready. Besides having faith in the Gospel—not accepting whatever comes your way, but fighting—the Kingdom of God is taken by force!
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. AMPC
Even though the kingdom of God is taken by force —we are not fighting, it is a precious pearl —but we leave it buried. That is what Jesus is saying to us today. We have become stagnant, when the Kingdom of God is at hand!
Jesus said to me audibly —THE TIME OF JESUS HAS COME! It is time for us to get serious! He said it is a time of great testing! If you don't feel you are being tested, that is not a good thing! If you are not feeling challenged —then I am afraid you are waiting to be shocked!
Why do we think Jesus said our faith would be a fight —if it wasn't. Why would He warn of the ploys of the enemy if we didn't need to know (Mark 4:13-15)?
We're not not fighting, but we’re prideful in thinking we're fine when we're not.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape. AMPC
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom]. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing. 16 But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces who call to their playmates, 17 We piped to you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and beat your breasts and weep aloud. AMPC
Matthew 13:13 This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because having the power of seeing, they do not see; and having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand. AMPC
We have the power to hear, to see —but we don't listen. I recently had been texting with someone. It started with a phone call, then a text —call you later. Then , can I call you later? Sure—no response. Call again—sorry I can't talk right now!
Jesus was listening to me think about that conversation and said He gets that same response all the time. He calls and doesn't get a call back —other than I am busy, talk to You later Jesus, be right back Jesus — sorry Jesus. Later never happens!
Jesus said pretty soon it will be too late, He will be here and for those who didn't choose to answer His call —it won't be good. Why? Because when we reject Him, He has to reject us. When we don't have time for Him —we are going to miss the correction we needed to be right with Him and ready for His return.
Get ready, get on your knees and call Him back.