The Full Number

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #131w Re-Written 04FEB09 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

Save Me Today—Part Twenty-Three: The Full Number

by rev dave c

In Second Peter Chapter Three we read: 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation…(NIV).

The Apostle Paul gives us an amazing bit of information in Romans 11:25 when he tells us, I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. Could it be that God has established a specific number of non-believers to be converted, and then the Day of the Lord will be upon us? Will Jesus return in power and in glory as described above as soon as that one individual, whose name is known only to God, receives Christ’s forgiveness and salvation? Is it possible that a friend, or a fellow employee at work, might be that one last person? Could he, or she, be living in our neighborhood? Perhaps in our house? Or sitting next to us? Or could that last person who needs the love of Jesus...could that be you?

When I think about that last person who is to be reborn I am reminded of two common phrases that make no real sense in light of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “...the last man on Earth” (as in, “I wouldn’t go out with you if…”), and “...the last man standing” (as in, “The winner is…”). The real issue becomes, “...the last person to leave Earth,” and “...the last person to rise up in the air” (as in, “The last person saved will be…”). In that day and hour there are going to be, I am sorry to say, many millions of men and women left on Earth—there will be probable billions of people left standing. This should break our hearts—because we know that it breaks the heart of our Savior (Is 53:1-7/Mt 26:38/1Ti 2:1-4). Are we truly devoted to a commitment to the Great Commandment (Mt 22:35-40), the New Commandment (Jn 13:34-35), and the Great Commission (Mk 16:15-18) as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming?

Friends, this is a matter of, and for, the heart. Listen to the words of the Writer of Hebrews, See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness (He 3:12&13; NIV). In Jeremiah 17:9&10 God says, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve" (NIV). Who can understand it? We find the answer in First John 3:18-20, Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (NIV). Our hearts may be deceitful and beyond cure...but God is greater than our hearts.

If you have had “one too many” of whatever particular brand of sin is your personal favorite...if you need for someone else to take the driver’s seat of your life so that you might make it safely home without killing yourself, and others—please open the door of your heart and mind to Jesus and He will prove to you that He is not just real, He is Reality. He is not just a way, or just a truth, or just a way of life—He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (Jn 14:6). There is coming a day...an hour...a minute...a second that is one too many, and it will be too late and your providential opportunity will be lost for all eternity. Friend, God tells us, Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near (Is 55:6). Jesus is calling to you, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock (Re 3:20) "...In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation (2Co 6:2). Amen.