The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
I John 2:17
Fellow Believers,Although the Bible is God's word for people of all times, certain passages in it are particularly pertinent to the end-time period. Examples: the repeated admonishments to beware of false prophets coming with signs and wonders, and the many prophetic oracles warning of God's judgment upon Judah and Israel (types of the apostate church) and other nations (the unsaved world).
Included in this category, I believe, are parts of 1 Corinthians 7. For instance, in verse 27 the Apostle Paul was moved by the Holy Spirit to advise singles not to get married. Anticipating today's breakdown of the marriage institution, he explains, "Those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this."
He continues: "What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away" (vv. 29-31).
God, of course, is not telling husbands to stop caring for their wives. They are to always love their wives as Jesus loves the church. Rather, He wants them to behave like singles in the sense that "an unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairshow he can please the Lord" wholeheartedly.
Moreover, as the last day approaches, we Christians need to detach ourselves from the things of this world more than ever before. Whether they give us joys or sorrows, whether we have just bought it or have used it for a long time, everything in this world is going to pass away soon.
Actually, this makes it easier for us to live one day at a time in these final days. Instead of having to prepare for our future on this earth, we can now concentrate on serving the Lord, and witnessing to, and praying for, our unsaved loved ones. This is the will of God, and the man who does the will of God lives forever.
First Quarter, 1994