Therefore-

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.” (Philippians 4:5 KJV)

We Know that the time and the hour are not known. But we know that he is Coming Again. If we were to examine Matthew 24 we would see several things that would indicated that His Second Coming is at hand.

Note some of the signs. Found in Matt 24.

In v5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

In v 6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

In v 7 there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

In v 9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

In v 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

In v 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

In v 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

In 1969 I was preaching to a group of teenagers and I made a statement that made many parents mad (or at least it irritated them) I said, “I believe that Jesus is coming in my lifetime,” and if not in my lifetime certainly in yours.” You see I was so much older than they were, by about 5-7 years. But you know I still believe that Jesus is coming in My lifetime, and if not in your lifetime.

Well what if he does not, will I have not lived in vain, nor foolishly, because the thought has kept me on track and on target. The same will be true for you.

A preach once made the statement, with ever reference to the Second coming the Blessed Hope of the Christian are some practical applications. Let us look at some of them

I. Be diligent...2 Peter 3:13-14

“13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:13-14 KJV)

A. Diligent means to be done with care, make a effort,

B. You may not always be victorious, but make the effort and when you fall get up and make the effort again.

C. Why

1. So that we may be found in him in peace

2. So that we may be found in him without spot

3. So that we may be found in him blameless. (living so that others cannot point their fingers at us and accuse us of wrong.

II. Be prayerful,...Mark 13:33

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33 KJV)

 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36 KJV)

A. Prayer in these last days is vital.

1. Vital to finding the will of God for you life.

2. Vital to intercede on the behave of others.

3. Vital to seek discover the sins, and weakness of the flesh that will keep you for please the Lord.

a) David prayed and ask the Lord to reveal in him his wicked ways.

“And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:24 KJV)

b) We need the Lord to reveal our wicked ways, before we get deep into trouble.

c) We need to heed that still small voice that is telling you not to enter into sin.

III. Be patient...James 5:8

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8 KJV)

A. It looks like two things are mentioned here. Being patient, stablish your heart. But they would appear to work together.

B. Stablishing, or establishing your heart is not a matter that happens over night, nor by some supernatural experience that take you for a lost sinner, to a mature saint over night.

1. You must be patience in reading his word and allowing him to work day by day through it

2. You must be patience in memorizing scripture – hiding his word in your heart that you will not sin against him.

3. You must be patience in reach lost loved ones.

4. You must be patience with the wheels of justice turn oh so sloooow.

C. But we must do it because he is drawing near.

1. In his second coming, yes

2.  But as you patiently seek to establish your heart in him, he will draw near.

Remember James says “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.” (James 4:8 KJV)

IV. Be pure,..... ...1John 3. 3

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3 KJV)

A. Purify means to make clean.

“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:9 KJV)

 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV)

 “Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14 KJV)

 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV)

 “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14 KJV)

B. By the washing of the water of the Word of God.

 “25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” (Ephesians 5:25-26 KJV)

V. Be watchful,...Mark 13:36-37

“36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13:36-37 KJV)

 VI. Be hopeful,...Luke 21:28

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28 KJV)

 “19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, 21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23  And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:19-23 KJV)

VII. Be comforted,...1 Thessalonians 4:18

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18 KJV)

VIII. Be ready,... .. ...

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44 KJV)

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