Nougat 30

Now, having presented those examples of Y’shua interacting with outsiders and people on the margins, I’d like us to look at something else. For it i was not and will not be all sweetness and light. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬, ‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Reckoning Comes

Siblings, many of us have a short fuse on Patience. I know I do. I don’t enjoy when I’m kept waiting. Especially if I feel it’s intentional. You know, the kinda wait that folks claim is traditional for marrying couples where the groom is obliged to wait for the bride to appear. Why? If there’s a reasonable delay, fine. But I recall hearing of the bride being ready, and her chauffeur decided that it was unfashionable. He detoured and it then resulted in extreme tardiness.

No way

If we continue with the marriage motif, we could argue that both the spiritual bride and groom have kept each other waiting. Y’shua awaits that special time – the ‘Midnight Hour’ – to return for His Bride, that is, the True Believers in Him. As it isn’t one physical person, those who are already in Christ await that Glorious Day. And what a glory it will be! We’re told, traditionally and in Scripture, that these Believers are found all over the world (i.e.,’the Four Corners of the Earth).

These ‘Four Corners’ are alluded to in Acts 1:8, when Y’shua commissions the disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ‘the ends of the Earth’. Thus, it’s not really a surprise to us all. We can’t expect the Gospel to convict people if it isn’t preached in action and words. Thus, since the Earth remains, and the Bride has not met her Beloved in the ‘Home He’s gone to prepare’ (see John 14:2), then we have an obligation to share this news, just as much as the disciples did.

Have we shared the News?

When that Day comes, as Christ’s Bride, there’s something in store for us. We will reside with Y’shua, worshiping YHWH with the angels forever!

But

There are some who have chosen and will choose to decline the Good News (Gospel) that Y’shua is the Christ, that He is the Resurrected Son of God. And, that’s where the reckoning comes. Because hanging out with Believers won’t transform the others at that point. And, if by ‘hanging with them’ we lose sight of the Gospel, then we are at risk of being left behind. Especially if we’re among the

evil ones who ‘practice shameful idolatry and dishonesty’. There’s no pretty way to say that. Such folks won’t be welcomed then.

So, there is a limit to the wait, although we don’t know exactly when it ends. But we know the signs. Some seem to be manifesting around us already. Our Groom is patient. Song of Songs tells us that He won’t awaken His Love before the time is right.

Until the day comes, we continue to prepare ourselves, we continue to share the Gospel, we continue to offer ourselves in preparation for our Groom like Esther did (see chapter 2:8-14). For we know that when we meet our Groom, we will have legal grounds for entry, as our names will be written in the Book.

We work while we wait.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ