He is Risen and is Coming Back Soon!

He Is Risen and is Coming Back Soon!

by Rocky Fleming

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”  (Revelations 19:6-9 ESV)

It is Easter Sunday as I write this.  It has been a tremendous day of worship with my wife and me and God’s family, the Church.  As we all know, churches in the USA this Sunday were unoccupied because of the closures due to Coronavirus.  But Church still met and did what the Church is supposed to do.  We brought Jesus Christ to those in need.  We all need His presence, His guidance, and especially so in this day.  We need community.  We need hope.  We also need a reboot, or best said, we need an awakening.  A great awakening.  I think that is what we are seeing is the beginning of a great awakening.  We are seeing not only a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.  I believe we are also seeing an awakening of His family.  I’m reminded of the prophesy about Jesus’ return and how His Bride (the Church) will make herself ready for Him.  I referenced that scripture above, for it seems to be happening now.

I believe we are in a time that the Bride of Christ, the Church, is being prepared for Christ’s return, and I believe it is not far away.  I believe the words, “the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints” in this scripture could be a reference to the awakening that the Church is having right now.  Many of us have prayed for a great awakening that would remind the Church who she is.  Many of us have believed that it would require something big to do it, for it to mobilize a scattered flock to unity of purpose and to the glory that befits our Bridegroom.  One would only have to look around on TV, on news, in many media outlets to see the new emphasis and need that we now see with people seeking God.  The people who will be the hands and feet of Jesus to fill this need in others will be God’s Church.  His mercy and grace will flow from Him to His family, and from His family to the world.  We are His messengers to our world.  He is raising up laborers for the great harvest that is about to occur.  I feel we are at the beginning of this.

If it is the beginning, we are being invited to something better and greater than anything we would have imagined.  There is nothing more important that we can do than to play our parts.  To do this we must be united, for we should expect great opposition.  That has always been the case.  But for years we have tried to battle on as individuals and individual churches and individual denominations rather than laboring together as God’s family.  Because of this we’ve labored with less power because we didn’t serve with each other.  That must change for it is needed, and I see it changing.

I have seen denominational walls falling down as leaders embrace a new purpose to serve together in bringing Christ to their communities.  I see political leaders asking for prayer and relying more on the power of it.  I see the denial of freedoms that we once took for granted to be appreciated even more.  Our focus is becoming clearer.  We see the need and it is greater than what only a few can provide.  It will require a country working together and there is only one catalyst that God has provided for this to be done, and that catalyst is His Bride the Church working together to bring love, peace, service, and best of all  the gospel.

I’m like every other person out there in that I’ve had to change my operating procedures, become very creative to be able to adjust, and fight the temptation to complain about how things are being done or not being done.  I’m told by my King to look at the blessings that are coming out of this time that we are in, and to not focus on what is missing.  I’m told to not fear this time, but rather embrace it.  I’m told that this time will pass, but the effect of it will not.  Life that was normal will not be the same coming out of this, but the spiritual opportunities will abound as never before.  I’m reminded that the Church’s time on this earth is temporary and it has always been temporary, but this is a time that temporary has become more relevant, and evident.  It is really temporary now.  It depends on how you look at these signs.  Some may be frightened or saddened.  But I’m excited, for I believe that we are entering a Church age that we’ve looked forward to for a long time.  This is the time that we must be wide awake with hands to the plow.  The King is coming, and the Bride must be ready.  This is the time to wake up Bride of Christ!!!