TOPIC:“Timely Events On God's Prophetic Calendar” (Part II)
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Matthew 24:32-36
“Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know His return is very near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33, NLT).
We have been considering key words which describe important events on God's
prophetic calendar. In our last message we considered together four key words - Regathering, Return, Rapture and Resurrection. The Regathering of Israel. The Return of Christ. The Rapture of the church and the Resurrection of believers. Let us continue our study by looking briefly at several other key words describing future events.
I.
The next key word is RECOGNITION. Praise God for the truth that teaches that one day we shall know and recognize our family and friends. As the Apostle Paul declared: “For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then, fact to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Corinthians 13:12). Known not only for WHAT we are, but WHO we are. How little we know of the character and workings of God in our present and perfect state here on earth. But in the hereafter, in our glorified state of perfection and completion, the clouds will disappear and we shall know God and shall be known by Him. From twilight we shall pass into eternal light. And in that eternal light we shall be known and we shall be recognized by others.
There is something logical about the fact that we shall recognize individuals in Heaven. Let the evidence speak for itself. In Genesis 25:8 Abraham knew his people after death. In Matthew 8:11 it says we “shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven.” In Matthew 17:3 and 4 the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah in the Transfiguration. In Luke 16:23 and 24 the rich man recognized Lazarus, the poor beggar, in the other world. In John 20:28 Thomas recognized Jesus in His resurrection body as he cried: “My Lord and my God.” In Luke 24:31 the two disciples on the road to Emmaus talked to the risen Christ and we read of them: “And their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” In John 20:16 Mary Magdalene recognized the voice of the risen Christ, even though it was too dark to see Him.
I shall go to my grave persuaded that if it is true we shall recognize and know Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Lazarus and Christ, than we shall know and recognize our mother and father, sister and brother, son and daughter, grandparents and all other family members and friends. In our waiting for that blessed event is the hope of knowing that it shall come to pass.
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