Jude 14-15 ~ And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him
As if to say, “What part of ungodly didn’t you understand?”
I feel (and remember that’s how I feel it, not necessarily how it is) that Jude has had it up to here with this ungodliness. He’s reminding the readers of his letter that the Old Testament concealed what the New Testament now revealed, which is that Jesus is coming back. The mockers will have their day in the court of the Lord when they will not stand and criticize and condemn Christianity but will look upon the Maker of Creation and bow before Him confessing He alone is Lord, convinced. Romans 14:11
Arrogance abounds in the world. It’s why it makes it so hard to share the gospel because the gospel is humbling and they want no part of humility. But get us alone and the arrogance seems to melt away. We realize that we are powerless against the forces of darkness and death. I’ve seen no better illustration than on New Year’s Eve when a preacher separated the youth and adults at our event in the auditorium. With about 54 in attendance in an auditorium that seated 500, he strategically placed everyone with several seats between them, and then began his message. All cell phones were off, no friends to rely on or distract us, everyone’s eyes were forward and their ears attentive to the message. And then he goes there… that place no one wants to go… Hell. And just as he begins discussing the outer darkness that Hell will be, the lights in the auditorium go off and the only lights you could see were the “exit” signs above the doors. And after a minute or two of a mixture of the Word of God and awkward silence, the lights were turned back on. Arrogance abated. Now, he really had our attention.
Eleven young souls came to know Jesus that night.
You may think it was a scary time and anyone would get saved under those circumstances. It really wasn’t scary. The entire time of darkness the preacher spoke on the fact that we are in a very controlled environment, the kids got that. There were periods of great laughter and jubilation at the teen event on New Year’s, the youth would no doubt tell you they had a great time But what they also came to understand was that when we get alone with Jesus it’s accountability time… and we got nothin’. And regarding “anyone would get saved under those circumstances; they didn’t. There were a few kids, who when ask if they were unsaved, raised their hands but made no attempt to rectify the matter. Why? Only they know and it’s what frustrates Christian leaders like Jude.
Hell is a real place and darkness alone is not its scariest feature, but the flames of Hell and the separation from God and everyone we know.
My blog today was not a feel good message but a reminder that we’re a lot closer to His return than those of Jude’s day. We need to be spreading that message that Jesus provides
- Light in the darkness
- A friend that will never leave nor forsake you (even in a dark auditorium)
- A promise that will not fail, He’s returning.
I want to make 2014 my year of leadership. Leading unsaved souls to Christ and saints to greater service. Please pray for me and this ministry.