Op-Ed: What is more important than the return of Christ?
LIVING ON PURPOSE
By Dr. Billy Holland
Henry Allan “Harry” Ironside was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author who pastored Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 1948. It is said that Harry Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th Century and published more than 100 books, booklets, and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. He also wrote several hymns, including “Overshadowed,” “His Grace Proclaim,” and “The Wonder of His Love to Me.” One editorial reviewer wrote in a 2005 republication that, “Ironside’s commentaries are a Christian standard and have stood the test of time.”
In his comments on Isaiah 57, Dr. Ironside shares this true account: “Years ago, before the First World War, Professor Stroeter, a well-known prophetic teacher in Germany, would travel through the country giving lectures, and using charts to explain the dispensations. His meetings attracted the attention of the German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm, who, despite his many idiosyncrasies, was quite a Bible student himself and would deliver sermons in the palace chapel on many occasions. One day, the emperor invited Professor Stroeter to his personal residence so that he could learn more about the information the professor had been teaching. The professor was escorted into the library and began to spread his charts out on a table, and as the emperor listened closely, Stroeter pointed out various prophetic stages that led up to the glorious Second Coming.
After a lengthy conversation, the emperor cautiously asked, “Are you saying that Christ is coming back literally, and when He returns, all the empires of the world are going to be destroyed, and He will set up His eternal kingdom upon their ruins?” Professor Stroeter said, “Exactly, your Majesty.” The emperor backed away with a look of sadness and disappointment and said, “Oh no, I can’t accept that! This would interfere with my plans!” What an honest but troubling admission from a man who professed to be a student and teacher of the Bible, and even more importantly, a personal disciple of Christ. There are indeed many interpretations and opinions about what the future may bring, but we can agree that there is coming a day when this earth will be cleansed and judged, and every knee will bow and know that Jesus is Lord and King of all.
We look around and notice that many are striving to build their dreams, but are these God’s ideas? I know individuals who are making plans 10, 20, and even 30 years from now, and hope these are divine blueprints that God has drawn. Have you known or heard about those who had their lives all mapped out, but were suddenly taken out of this world unexpectedly? It’s worth ensuring whose voice we are following, as the Bible declares that there is nothing more important than keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open to where God is leading us. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” Proverbs 19:21.
We might add Christ to our long list of things we are interested in, but if God’s will is not at the top, we need to rearrange our list. Yes, we all have responsibilities, but ignoring God and not being prepared to meet Him will have serious consequences. Jesus used the term “birth pains” to describe the signs of His return. Like the agony of childbirth, these warnings will become more intense and frequent as the day draws nearer. Can you see them today? Beware of those who mock and say, “It’s been 2000 years, so the Lord must not be coming back.” Remember the wise virgins in Matthew chapter 25. It simply comes down to who we will trust.
How often do Christians stop and consider that when they made a vow to surrender their heart to God, their lives were no longer their own? We promised God and the world going forward, we will only follow His voice. So, I ask today: Is there anything in this world that would cause us to wish Christ would postpone His return? Of course, we want to see our family be saved, which is why it’s so crucial to intercede and fast for their salvation. What about you, dear friend, are things like enjoying your wealth, building a house, seeing the world, graduating college, getting married, having children, getting that promotion, retiring, or completing a project you’ve been working on, more exciting and important than the return of your Savior? Maybe instead of wondering about His return, we should live as if He never left.
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“When you begin to see your worth, you will find it harder to stay around people who don’t.”
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
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