TIME TO SPEAK OUT!!

Pastor Larry Gatlin, So. Oregon
 

We are living in extremely interesting days. The Middle East is full of war and rumors of war. sounds very much like the times Jesus described in Mathew 24:6. I have always felt and I still do that to try and predict the return of the Lord is not my job. That is Fathers responsibility. Jesus declared, "No man knows the day or the hour, but my Father."

But to speculate a bit it is interesting to note the signs or seasons that we are going into. The Middle East has always been and will continue to be the measuring stick for what is coming next in the light of Gods Word and prophecy.

If the return of Jesus isn't soon we will witness a great deal of suffering in that part of the world. Many are about to die if we as Christians don't make it a point to pray for the nations of the world and a this time especially the Middle East. If Jesus' returns for His Church this world will be thrown into utter confusion.

This may not be the next event before the catching away of the Church, but it certainly appears to be a prelude to it. UI would never presume to set a date or time for all of the actions to taker place. But I would say, we had better get ready and make certain that we are doing all we can to get others ready.

Every one of us has family members, friends, co-workers, fellow students and people we come in contact with every day in our lives that do not know the Lord and aren't ready for His return. I know that there is a famous saying that goes around the church that goes like this. "Preach the word every day, and if needed use words." Well let me share something with you: Do not use that little saying as a cop out to not share your faith. It is time to speak out about the need to be ready to meet the Lord. It's time to call people to repentance and salvation in Jesus' name. The times we live in are requiring us to step out of our comfort zones and speak the truth in Love as Paul phrases it in Ephesians.

My question is simple. "Do you want people to go to hell?" Because if you don't, just living a Christian life is valuable for the world to see. And I agree that the life you live should preach a great sermon every day. But in order for many to miss hell and join you in the return of the Lord, they'll have to hear it spoken out not just lived out.

In Corinthians Paul declares that, "Today is the day of Salvation." Don't remain silent any longer. This whole world may be launched into utter confusion and destruction soon.

It's time for all Christians to rise up and declare the DAY of the LORD is at hand. Whether it happens in the next day, month year or a hundred years, it is closer than it was yesterday. People need to be ready.

YOUR VOICE MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAVEN or hell.

Pastor Larry