Nougat 13

Have you heard of Blood Moons? I think I have referred to it before in an earlier nougat. It’s one of the signs folks have watched for in anticipation of Christ’s return. It probably is, but not if it’s the moon referenced in today’s Holy Nougat

““Now immediately after the suffering of that time the sun will become dark, and the moon won’t give its light. The stars will fall from the sky and the planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭29‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Awake Zion Awake

When faced with our Nougat, the chorus ‘Awake Zion! Awake’ most often comes to my mind.

Awake Zion awake, awake and trim your lamps// For the stars shall fall from the sky and the moon turn into blood/ Then the Son of Man shall appear/ Zion Awake!

As you can see from the lyrics, there is a blending of the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25, our nougat and the prophecy from Isaiah 52:1. Let’s unpack them a bit more.

Isaiah’s prophecy, while not explicitly reflecting the End Time prophecy, is an invitation to rouse from slumber (being unaware of what is happening) in anticipation of the end of suffering and degradation. It is a victorious and encouraging word, which sets the tone for the shift in circumstances from the Desolation reflected on prior. It’s the end of persecution, that seems to come without warning, just like the return of Christ. For Jesus is clear; despite the signs, no one (including His then very human self) knows the exact date or time. We must therefore be watchful.

The parable of the virgins takes that premise to offer the disciples a practical mnemonic for grasping the gravity of the occasion. In the parable 10 virgins are invited to a wedding feast. They’ve all come to the wedding equipped with oil-filled lamps and are ready to meet the bridegroom. Before long, ALL 10 virgins fall asleep, and when they awaken, their lamps need more oil. Unfortunately, only five are fully prepared for this eventuality: the other five have no extra oil! Those ones are obliged to seek oil before the bridegroom arrives. On their return, it’s too late – the groom had arrived and access to the bridal chamber was denied!

Siblings, I would love that you and I and our family members and friends are ready! That with all the signs we’re told to observe, we will prayerfully prepare. I would love that we’re like Rahab, for whether we call her inn-keeper or prostitute, when she saw the end of Jericho looming, she made ready for the Land of Promise. No, she wasn’t sure the spies would honor their covenant, but she was ready with the scarlet cord hanging from her house.

Yes, Rahab was awake (woke) and so should we. It’s not about counting the number of blood moons per se, but in observing the situation round about us (particularly the strange surges in our current climate crisis), we realize that the time is drawing nigh. And when that blood moon aligns with the disappearing stars, no amount of real estate on Mars will save us!

Awake siblings, awake. Let’s allow God’s Spirit, the Oil Who keeps our lives (lamps) trimmed and ready for our Bridegroom to dwell in us richly until the Day of Christ’s return.

https://chordify.net/…/the-water-is-troubled-my-friend… (It’s the second tune)

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May all we seek be found in Christ