The Vision Is For An Appointed Time

By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it: because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

The new international Reader’s version of this verse says:

The message I give you waits for the time I have appointed. It speaks about what is going to happen. And all of it will come true, it might take a while. But wait for it. You can be sure it will come. It will happen when I want it to.

God has given us several promises in His word. One great promise both in the old and new testaments is the second coming of our Lord Jesus after which we (Christians) shall share in His glory in heaven with God and the heavenly beings

Joel 2:32 says

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Revelations 21:3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they shall be with them, and be their God.

Both verses above are talking about what will happen when our Lord Jesus comes back. Read the whole chapter of Joel 2 and revelations 21 to get a better understanding of the vision God has given us in His word on the second coming of Christ.

These promises were made a long time ago, signs mentioned in the bible about the second coming have been seen:

Wars &rumors of wars
Famine
Diseases
Increase in wickedness and immorality etc.

Are all things we see happening around us but when will the end come. So that we can prepare adequately. We cannot know when but we can ensure our inclusion by:

Being ready at all times

Matthew 24:42

Matthew 25:13

Revelations 16:15

Working for the Lord

2 Timothy 4:2-5

Being ready at all times

Mathew 24:42

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your lord thou come.

Some translations of the verse above, substitute the word “watch” with “stay awake” or “be alert” meaning we should always be conscious and aware of the fact that Jesus is coming soon. He can come any day from now because almost all the signs of the end time are evident now.

Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor hour wherein the son of man cometh.

This verse emphasizes the fact that we should never lose sight of the fact that Christ is coming soon. We should be very careful. You might obey all God’s commands for several years but the day you decide to break a command might be the day the Lord will come. If He finds you in the act of sin, will He still take you along? This is a question that we cannot answer appropriately. Will God’s grace still abound then? Will He say this child of mine has constantly obeyed me, today is one of the few days he disobeyed me, so I will forgive him/her?

Revelations 16:15

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

The amplified Bible translates this verse as

Blessed is he who stays awake (stays alert) and who keeps his clothes (that is stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return). So that he will not be naked (spiritually unprepared and men will not see his shame)

This translation fully explain how we should prepare for the Lord’s second coming such that we will not be ashamed when He comes.

Working for the Lord

2 Timothy 4:2-5

Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist make full proof of thy ministry.

The passage above gives details on what to do whilst waiting for the lord

Preach the word always
Reprove, rebuke and exhort
It is important to spend a lot of time now preaching the word because a time is coming when people will refuse to listen to the word.
Endure all afflictions (challenges and obstacles) let nothing stop you from preaching the word.

Though the second coming of the lord Jesus Christ delays, let’s wait for it patiently fully aware and alert such that we do not deviate from living a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

References