the lord is near
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The apostle Paul calls his brothers from Philippi and us to rejoice always. Rejoicing is an action and a persistent state of being, not just an isolated moment. The joy of the Lord comes from being close to Christ and knowing that He is with us. We can decide to rejoice despite the trials and difficulties of life. Our joy is not an easy, superficial joy; it is a joy that comes from within, from the entrails. We must decide to make rejoicing an ethic of our life, to be a joyful person, and to focus on the good things of the Lord. Abacuc 3:17 reminds us to rejoice with everything, even in the midst of difficulties. Our kindness should also be known to all men, and our Church should be a gentle and kind Church.
The speaker encourages the church to be a generous and gentle community, where laughter and kindness are present. He emphasizes the importance of living a life of joy and peace, as the Lord is near. He also discusses the tension that exists in Scripture and in the life of believers regarding the Second Coming of Christ, and emphasizes the need for humility and caution when speculating about it. He believes that being aware of the imminence of Christ's coming can bring true happiness and perspective to our lives.
The author believes that true happiness and joy can only come from focusing on the coming of Christ. They believe that this world is temporary and that Christ's return will replace it with new heavens and a new earth. While living in the present, they encourage living with the knowledge of Christ's imminent return. The author cites passages from Daniel that prophesy the Second Coming of Christ and the judgment that will follow. They also mention the persecution of the Church and the saints' eventual reception of the eternal Kingdom.
The book of Daniel speaks of the Antichrist who will make war against the saints and persecute the Church. However, there will come a time when the Judge will sit and put an end to this persecution. Daniel was troubled by these revelations but kept them in his heart. As believers, we need to be aware of the times we are living in and live in light of the coming of Christ. We are in important times and we must live up to the calling God has for us. We are called to proclaim the Gospel, advance the Kingdom of God, and live a life not attached to anything in this world. We are citizens of the eternal Kingdom, and we should live our lives with joy and the knowledge that Christ is coming soon.
The speaker encourages the church to be a generous and gentle community, where laughter and kindness are present. He emphasizes the importance of living a life of joy and peace, as the Lord is near. He also discusses the tension that exists in Scripture and in the life of believers regarding the Second Coming of Christ, and emphasizes the need for humility and caution when speculating about it. He believes that being aware of the imminence of Christ's coming can bring true happiness and perspective to our lives.
The author believes that true happiness and joy can only come from focusing on the coming of Christ. They believe that this world is temporary and that Christ's return will replace it with new heavens and a new earth. While living in the present, they encourage living with the knowledge of Christ's imminent return. The author cites passages from Daniel that prophesy the Second Coming of Christ and the judgment that will follow. They also mention the persecution of the Church and the saints' eventual reception of the eternal Kingdom.
The book of Daniel speaks of the Antichrist who will make war against the saints and persecute the Church. However, there will come a time when the Judge will sit and put an end to this persecution. Daniel was troubled by these revelations but kept them in his heart. As believers, we need to be aware of the times we are living in and live in light of the coming of Christ. We are in important times and we must live up to the calling God has for us. We are called to proclaim the Gospel, advance the Kingdom of God, and live a life not attached to anything in this world. We are citizens of the eternal Kingdom, and we should live our lives with joy and the knowledge that Christ is coming soon.
Say with me: "The Lord is near." Wow, and that came to mind this morning as I was praying for the Lord to clarify what to focus on, this idea that the Lord is near, okay? And the first thing I want to tell you is, let's go back a little bit. Here we see the apostle Paul calling his brothers from Philippi but also us by extension to rejoice. And every day I meditate more and more on that fact that the Word of God calls us to rejoice.
I don't have all the time to develop this point, but the first thing I can say is this: note that it is a call, it is a verb, even if it sounds redundant, active. They are telling you: rejoice. It's like telling yourself: drink a glass of water, or go to the beach, or enjoy a good sunny day and go out into the countryside. They are telling you to do something as a consequence of a decision that you have to make, of a move of your will. The Word is calling you to do something to produce a rejoicing effect on you.
I don't have all the time to develop this point, but the first thing I can say is this: note that it is a call, it is a verb, even if it sounds redundant, active. They are telling you: rejoice. It's like telling yourself: drink a glass of water, or go to the beach, or enjoy a good sunny day and go out into the countryside. They are telling you to do something as a consequence of a decision that you have to make, of a move of your will. The Word is calling you to do something to produce a rejoicing effect on you.
