S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Maranatha is an Aramaic word that means "the Lord is coming" or "come, O Lord." The early church faced much persecution, and life for a Christian under Roman rule was not easy. The Romans required ...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Singapore Moses Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist

"The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world; and then the end will come" (Mt 24:14)

The last recorded message of Christ in the Bible is the conclusive answer to all the questions regarding the "time" of His Return. "Surely I am coming quickly" (Rev 22:20). The word "surely" is to encourage us, and the word "quickly" must challenge us. The Lord frequently used the word "quickly" in His messages to the Churches (Rev 2:5,16; 3:11; 22:7,12). This was literally believed by the Christians of the first century. That was one reason why they had been greeting one another with the word "Maranatha," an Aramaic term meaning, "O Lord, come!" (1 Cor 16:22).

If the first century Christians had lived with the every-moment-expectation of the return of Christ, how much anxious our expectation today should be! However, the Bible consistently discourages us from any date-setting. In His parting words Christ told His disciples, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority" (Acts 1:7). He had earlier told them repeatedly, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Mt 24:42; 25:13). But man is always curious to know what he need not know! When Christ says that He Himself does not know when He would return, why should we be curious about it? (Mk 13:32).

One thing we can be sure of. That is, we in this generation are much nearer to the Second Coming of Christ than the earlier generations. As Revivalist Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) used to say, "We are not living in the last days but in the last minutes!" Most of what was predicted to happen before the Return of Christ has been fulfilled. One of the most important signs namely worldwide evangelisation is in its final phase, and the work goes on much faster than anytime in Church history (Mt 24:14). Sin is rampant and the "cup of iniquity" is overflowing (Mt 24:12). The Judge is standing "at the door!" (Js 5:9).

Instead of date-setting, let's set goals for the total evangelisation of the whole world! (Acts 1:7,8). Don't go after signs, visions and voices which claim to give new revelations about the second advent of Christ (Mt 24:23-26). Be satisfied with the vivid Biblical revelations and don't explore mysteries of which the Bible is silent (Dt 29:29).

July 08 2014 • 0 responses • Remove Vote • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

The word anathema is Aramaic and means “accursed” (see 1 Cor. 12:3). “Not to love Christ means not to believe in Him, and unbelievers are accursed
(John 3:16–21).” Wiersbe

[BRIAN BELL says that John 3:16-21 is "The Great Divide." JOHN PIPER has a sermon on this (John 3:16-21) called, "This Is the Judgment- Light Has Come into the World,"]

The word maranatha is Greek and means “our Lord comes” or (as a prayer) “Our Lord, come!” (see Rev. 22:20). “If a person loves Jesus Christ, he will also love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8).” Wiersbe

Westcott: 1 Corinthians 12:3:

“διο γνωριζω υμιν οτι ουδεις εν πνευματι θεου λαλων λεγει αναθεμα 
ιησους και ουδεις δυναται ειπειν κυριος ιησους ει μη εν πνευματι αγιω.”


1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIRV):

3So I tell you that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “May Jesus be cursed.” And without the help of the Holy Spirit no one can say, “Jesus is Lord.”

June 19 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report