NO SURPRISES

^{MATTHEW 24:32}-"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door."Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."
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I was listening to Jack Van Impe last night and was reminded of the 'door' part of the above scripture. We are often told that we won't know the day or the hour of Jesus' return but it's to dampen our "enthusiasm" so-to-speak about the nearness of His coming. Yet, Dr. Van Impe made it very clear that since scripture instructs us that we can see "signs" we will recognize when He is right at the DOOR.

Based on the fulfillment of all the precluding prophecies needed to see Jesus before the catching away of the saints to meet Him in the air...we who believe...should really be excited and be watching and every hour TODAY because it certainly can take place ANY moment. That is much of the reason Jesus gave us so much to prepare us....so that we wouldn't be ill prepared or asleep...or according to the parable of the virgins...run out of oil. He wanted us to know the approximate time of His arrival so that we would be prepared and and would be 'watching'.

Note the scripture in Thessalonians 5:1- " Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.

⁸But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.