Friends, Christ emphasized that the churches must listen and heed to what He said - especially more so when they realize that He is coming quickly, and at the door. When Christ asked the rhetorical question about whether He will find faith when He returns, the pause and implication is "barely."

Christ is not looking for people who merely hear Scripture, and have a vague trivia head-knowledge of what He said; He is looking for those that heed - put into obedient action - what He said. Christ also gave repeated examples of what His servants should absolutely NOT be doing, if they want to escape what is coming on the world.

Many servants, unfortunately, will be left behind with the hypocrites and unbelievers - because they did not listen. That is what a hypocrite is: an actor - someone who says they follow Christ, but do not do what He says. The foolish and wicked servants reveal themselves by their actions, He said. Our works will always bear evidence of what we truly believe. For many, their actions show that they do not truly believe that Christ is correct about what He said; they regard what Scripture says as wishful thinking, and will beat you up if you quote it, instead of their fable.

"[Paul to Timothy] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering 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." - II Timothy 4:1-5

Christ is coming to judge - at His appearing; and Paul gives Timothy a very good list what we need to keep in order and prioritize, knowing He is coming. Notice that Paul emphasizes sound doctrine twice - versus fables, vain conceits, and teachers who tell you only what you want to hear. A true servant of God must be always aware that their life and ministry must produce PROOF. Sound doctrine will only be found in God's Word, quoted from God's Word, preached from God's Word, and lived from God's Word.

This is the foremost reason why we put all of our teachings in print form: so that it can be examined and searched for in Scripture - knowing that, at His appearing, it will be called for evidence.

The moment a teacher veers from sound doctrine and God's Word, they will have to rely on other things: In-My-Opinion's, I-Feel-Like's, Fables, Stories, and other books than God's Word.

The mark of a hearer of God's Word will be whether they can endure sound doctrine - whether they have a willingness and readiness to hear what God's Word says, regardless of whether it comports with what they have heard, or want to hear. They will have a hunger for truth. They are Bereans who are ready to search Scripture whether something is true - and if it is, then they will hold fast to what is good; if it is not in Scripture, then they reject it as trash and mere fables.

A true hearer will not turn their ears away from truth - even if it is not what they want to hear. A hearer always yields his heart and mind to what God said. To fear the Lord is summed up as when we can say: "Yes, Lord."

Friend, we are at a very late hour, expecting appearances and departures. That means we must be ever more sober, vigilant, and watching. Not just watching with our eyes and heart - but watching our ears, too. Watch in all things. Now is a time - when we know the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is about to judge His servants according to their works - when we must strive for a life that makes full proof and evidence that we are listening and obeying our Master and Lord's instructions - in all things.

Paul goes on to say, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept [guarded] the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Are we living a life that evidentially listens and heeds to what our Lord and righteous judge has given us: His Words?

Henceforth - because of that reason... what reason will Paul get a crown of righteousness for? Keeping - guarding and fighting for - the faith. Does your heart, actions, words, and life guard and treasure God's Word above all else?

The crown of righteousness is only for those that treasure what the King says is right, true, and sound.

Friend, my departure is at hand. I trust yours is as well. We know the hour is late, and our King is coming quickly. Let us double our guard, increase our proofs, turn our ears only to truth, hold fast to sound doctrine, and be on high alert and watch in all things. This is our charge. These are our standing orders. We are to occupy and hold till He comes. Let us be found having an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." - Revelation 1:3

I highly suggest you review the Running for the Prize, especially the articles: "The Crowns", pg. 9-11, "Shall He Find Faith" and the Letters to the Seven Churches, pg. 27-31.

Till He comes, we will hold fast: loving Him, hearing Him, and serving Him - FIRST - and HIGHEST ABOVE ALL ELSE!

Maranatha!!
Brother Daniel