How Soon Will Jesus Come?
“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 7:1-3.
“1 saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands and with a voice, of deep pity cried, “My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!” Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do of the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a load voice, “Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! Until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads..”
“I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about. to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God, to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold, until the servant of God were sealed with the seal, of the living God in. their foreheads.” Early Writings, p,38.
After the disaster in New York on the September the 11 2001, there was much fear throughout the Western World, being more intense in the United States of America. Have we reached a time when “Men’s hearts [are] falling them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: “? Luke 21:26. Then, shortly after the attack there was the fear of biological warfare as the Anthrax problem was causing quite a scare in the U.S.A. Is this the beginning of the end? What will happen next? These are questions that plagued many people’s minds.
Now here we are, over 3 months after this disaster; and where do we stand? Where is the fear? In New York, the clean-up is still going on and will continue for many months yet. The reminders are still there for those people who see them every day, however most of the rest of the world has almost forgotten about this event. It is not longer in the forefront of their minds as it is no longer making headline news. We are reminded of the events when we hear the news reporters saying that the war is almost over.
Life continued of our various countries and the fear has almost abated. What happened to cause this change? I believe if we look behind the scenes into the invisible world we would have an idea as with the above mentioned vision given through Ellen G. White. I am sure this is not the only time that these angels were about to let go. During the two great World Wars last century, many people feared that the end was at hand. Christians who studied their Bibles believed this was the time of the end. But the wars ended and life went on. There was fear again when Iraq invaded Kuwait in the early ’90’s. Again it came to abrupt end. How many other wars could have escalated to a major disaster on this planet but evil men were check by the Power of the angels holdings those four winds? Only in eternity will we know. How long will the angels hold on? Until “we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads” Rev. 7.3. How long will this take? “Then 1 saw that Jesus would not leave the most holy place until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction, and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finish His work in most Holy place, laid off His priestly attire, and clothed Himself with the garments of vengeance.” Early Writings p. 36. It depends partially on us. Who is slowing things down? Are you the guilty one? God is looking to seal 144,000 and He wants you to be one of them, however shout you refuse to yield your life to Him, He will eventually move on and look for someone else. When He has found 144,000 and they are all sealed, then the angels will let go there will be terrible trouble on this planet, however we must look to the light at the end of the tunnel. We must pass through this dark period in history if we want to be in paradise. We are called to carry our cross before we are given a crown. Jesus has promised to be with us through every difficulty and trial,
It is time now to make our “Calling and election sure” (2 Pet. 1: 10) as we do not know how long peace will remain on this earth. Although the peace today is very shaky, it is still holding out against all-out war. There is a great cry for “Peace and safety”, but if we read our Bibles we know what follows the Peace and safety message – it is “Sudden destruction.” (1 Thess. 5:3).
The final events on this earth will be rapid ones, once they begin. We do not know when the angels will let go of the four winds, but ~e can certainly thank God that He has given us a little more time t6 prepare – a little more time to warn our friends and relatives, neighbours, workmates and fellow students, of the coming crisis. May God help us to be diligent with the time remaining, so that the terrible pronouncement will not be made for us, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20.
“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass;” Luke 21:9.
Soon Jesus will step out of the Most Holy Place. His work will be finished, and then the angels will let go of the four winds and there will be a Time of Trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,” DanieI12:1. It is my sincere desire that you will be ready for that time, however we must be preparing today for the trouble tomorrow.
“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” Proverbs 30:25. We also are a people not strong, and must be preparing our ‘meat’ for the ‘winter’. God’s people have always been few, a remnant. The world often views God’s church as feeble, however as “Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard.” AA, p. 12.
The individual members may also be seen as the weakest in society, however if they connect themselves to the Lord today, they will be prepared to stand as firm as a rock unmovable – when the times of trouble come as a mighty tempest to this earth. The weakest soul can overpower Satan if they are connected to Christ. Sister White was the most feeble in the church, yet God chose her to do a mighty work. “for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.
“I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues.” Early Writings, p. 36.
Today we have a message for the world and we are to be faithful ambassadors for the Lord. We have such privileged information regarding the final events to unfold on this earth. The majority of the world lives in fear after events such, as that which happened on September 11-th, however God’s people have no fear due to the knowledge they have of the Word of God and also their faith in God. What will we do with this information? Do we keep it to ourselves? at do we share it with the fearful. . . “The fearful, and unbelieving, … have their part in the lake that burneth with fire.” Revelation 21:8. We need to share with these people the love of Christ, for “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:” 1 John 4:18.
We are definitely living on borrowed time. God has graciously given us a little more time in which to prepare for His coming. May God help us to use this time wisely in preparing ourselves and also warning others to whom the Lord places in our pathway to whom He wishes us to share the message of salvation with. Soon Jesus will step out of the Sanctuary and it will be too late to make any changes.
“Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose .life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate Saviour to plead for them, and cry, ‘Spare, spare the sinner a little longer.’ All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words ‘It is done. It is finished.’ Then the plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy’s sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness they heard the words, ‘Too late! Too late!’ ” Early Writings, p. 281.
“Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7.
In answer to the initial question? How soon will Jesus come? We cannot give you an exact answer, but we can only say that it will be soon, very soon. Just because events on this earth seem to be quietening down after the scare on September 11, does not mean we can relax our efforts for awhile. Heaven is in intense activity preparing for this final crisis when it comes. Will you be ready?