Our Redemption Draweth Nigh

When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28.
The coming of Christ is nearer than when we first believed. The great controversy is nearing its end. The judgments of God are in the land. They speak in solemn warning, saying: “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:44. . . .
We are living in the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time–not a moment–to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works: “My lord delayeth his coming.” Let the message of Christ’s soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. . . .
The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. He is soon coming, and we must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud: “Homeward bound!” We are nearing the time when Christ will come in power and great glory to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home. . . .
Long have we waited for our Saviour’s return. But nonetheless sure is the promise. Soon we shall be in our promised home. There Jesus will lead us beside the living stream flowing from the throne of God and will explain to us the dark providences through which on this earth He brought us in order to perfect our characters. There we shall behold with undimmed vision the beauties of Eden restored. Casting at the feet of the Redeemer the crowns that He has placed on our heads, and touching our golden harps, we shall fill all heaven with praise to Him that sitteth on the throne.
Maranatha p. 311
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Prayer Requests
—- Dr. Agatha Thrash passed away at home early yesterday morning. She had been declining after a series of strokes, and finally succumbed to complications related to her condition. Please pray for the family.
—–Please pray for Brian as he is studying at AFCOE. Pray that God will give him success and courage.
—– Please pray for my school district. I am a teacher and we were supposed to start school on September 1 but have not come to an agreement with the school district. They are taking us to court. The hearing is this morning at 10 AM Pacific time. I voted no on the strike, but obviously was outvoted. However it is true that the district is hoarding millions of dollars and not providing teachers with textbooks and other curriculum that they need to do a decent job of teaching. Please pray for a quick and peaceful resolution to this problem. Mary
—– Update on my dad: I took him to see the eye specialist, it was a follow up from his surgery last Friday. I would just like to thank everyone for your prayers. The Dr. just couldn’t get over how well my dad’s eye is healing. He will still need time for healing and recovery, but the doctor said that usually it takes six months to heal, but he says that won’t be the case with my dad. The doctor was very pleased. We still do not know how much sight he will recover, we are hoping for the best and ask for prayers for that in his behalf. Thanks so much. Kelly
——Please pray for Larry, my father-in-law. He is having surgery today for a serious condition. Eileen
—– Please pray for my mom. She is in the hospital and has a bad infection. Debbie
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Dear Friends
The elderly lady was very upset. She had been trying to get her husband to fix that faucet for a long time, but he had always put it off. It had been leaking just a trickle, then a stream, but as her granddaughter turned the faucet on to get a drink of water, the pipe broke and the entire faucet came off in the young girl’s hand. Now the flow of water could no longer be controlled. Water spurted from the broken pipe like a fountain. Water was everywhere. Now, putting off fixing it was no longer an option.
How often we put off fixing our life just as that elderly man put off fixing the faucet. We plan on accepting God’s Great Provision—tomorrow. How many times we allow a little sin to slip by because it seems to be so small and harmless. Yet, that sin grows bigger and stronger with the doing, and eventually it controls every aspect of our life. Solomon said, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” ” His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” Ecc 10:1; Prov 5:22&James, speaking of this very thing, says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
During family worship a few years ago, we were discussingthat text in James in relation to a certain Bible story we had just read. Ronnie Jay commented how a certain sin , actually brought many sins along with it. As we thought more about it, we realized the truth of this statement. Just as it was true in the life of that Bible character, so it is true in our life. Once we take the first step down the path of disobedience, we soon find ourselves taking other steps to justify the first. Before long, we are far from where we wish to be.
Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly showing us that we are living in the end times. Jesus will soon appear in the clouds and gather His followers to Him. We have no time to be careless. We have no time to put off getting ready for that final event. Now is the time to get serious about our standing with our Maker. God pleads with us, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 33:11
Now, while the hours of probation linger, is the time to turn away from those “little” sins that plague us. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa 55:6,7
Let us no longer put off running to our Dear Saviour’s outstretched arms. Let us partake freely of His grace and mercy. Let us “give diligence to make (our) calling and election sure: for if (we) do these things, (we) shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto (us) abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10,11
Rose