Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

Some have continued to ask about the rapture of the church and the end times. Below is the fourth reason I believe Christ will return for His Church before the onset of the Great Tribulation. Consider these thoughts:

Time gap between the rapture and second coming of Christ.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

• Revelation 19:7–9 (ESV) Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

5:9 we also have as our ambition. Paul was speaking of his ambition in life, but not the kind of proud, selfish desire that “ambition” expresses in English. “Ambition” is from the Gr. word that means “to love what is honorable.” Paul demonstrated that it is right and noble for the believer to strive for excellence, spiritual goals, and all that is honorable before God (cf. Ro 15:20; 1Ti 3:1). whether at home or absent. See notes on vv. 6, 8. Paul’s ambition was not altered by his state of being—whether he should be in heaven or on earth—he cared how he lived for the Lord (see notes on Ro 14:6; Php 1:20; cf. 1Co 9:27).  pleasing to Him. This was Paul’s highest goal (cf. 1Co 4:1–5), and should be so for every believer (cf. Ro 12:2; Eph 5:10; Col 1:9; 1Th 4:1). The term translated “pleasing” is the same one used in Tit 2:9 to describe slaves who were passionate to please their masters.

 5:10 This describes the believer’s deepest motivation and highest aim in pleasing God—the realization that every Christian is inevitably and ultimately accountable to Him. the judgment seat of Christ. “Judgment seat” metaphorically refers to the place where the Lord will sit to evaluate believers’ lives for the purpose of giving them eternal rewards. It is translated from the Gr. word bēma, which was an elevated platform where victorious athletes (e.g., during the Olympics) went to receive their crowns. The term is also used in the NT to refer to the place of judging, as when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate (Mt 27:19; Jn 19:13), but here the reference is definitely from the athletic analogy. Corinth had such a platform where both athletic rewards and legal justice were dispensed (Ac 18:12–16), so the Corinthians understood Paul’s reference. deeds in the body. Actions which happened during the believer’s time of earthly ministry. This does not include sins, since their judgment took place at the cross (Eph 1:7). Paul was referring to all those activities believers do during their lifetimes, which relate to their eternal reward and praise from God. What Christians do in their temporal bodies will, in His eyes, have an impact for eternity (see notes on 1Co 4:3–5; cf. Ro 12:1, 2: Rev 22:12). whether good or bad. These Gr. terms do not refer to moral good and moral evil. Matters of sin have been completely dealt with by the death of the Savior. Rather, Paul was comparing worthwhile, eternally valuable activities with useless ones. His point was not that believers should not enjoy certain wholesome, earthly things, but that they should glorify God in them and spend most of their energy and time with what has eternal value (see notes on 1Co 3:8–14).     
                       
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Co 5:9–10). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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Consider two events that seem to fall before the second coming of Jesus. The judgement seat of Christ is one and the marriage supper of the Lord is a second.

We recognize that many faithful Christians have different perceptions about these end time events. But a time is coming when it will be clear to us all.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:18; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 19:7-9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . 
​Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

2 Timothy 2:7 (NIV84)
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

The Lord speaks to us through the Word of God. But he also uses illustrations or pictures He wants us to think about. Consider how the Lord gives us insight.Here are some thoughts from two commentaries.
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7. Consider the force of the illustrations I have given from the soldier, the contender in the games, and the husbandmen, as applying to thyself in thy ministry.and the Lord give, &c.—The oldest manuscripts read, “for the Lord will give thee understanding.” Thou canst understand my meaning so as personally to apply it to thyself; for the Lord will give thee understanding when thou seekest it from Him “in all things.” Not intellectual perception, but personal appropriation of the truths metaphorically expressed, was what he needed to be given him by the Lord.

     Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 424).
     Logos Research Systems, Inc.

(2:7) “Consider” is noeō (νοεω), “to perceive with the mind, to understand, think upon, ponder, consider.” Expositors translates, “ ‘Grasp the meaning’ of these three similes.… If you have not sufficient wisdom to follow my argument, ‘ask of God who giveth to all men liberally’ (Jas. 1:5).” Paul had used the illustration of a soldier. Timothy was to live a rugged, strenuous Christian life in which hardships as the result of serving the Lord Jesus were an expected thing. He used the simile of a Greek athlete. Timothy should live a life of rigid separation, not merely with respect to evil things, but also with regard to things which, good in themselves, would unfit him for the highest type of Christian service. Paul now uses the metaphor of a tiller of the soil. Timothy is reminded that the Christian worker who labors with wearisome effort in the Lord’s service, has the right to derive his financial support from it, so that he might be able to give all of his time and strength to his work.

    Translation. Grasp the meaning of that which I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

     Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader     
     (Vol. 8, pp. 130–131). Eerdmans.

Reflect on the pictures God gives us with His word. Then determine how they apply to your life today.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
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The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Ti 2:7). (1984). Zondervan.
Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

2021 has now set!
​What will be different in 2022?

Cathy and I stood at the top of Victoria Falls in Livingston, Zambia and watched the sun set. We were spending time with Janet and Butch Berner at the largest waterfall in the world. The sun slowly set in the West and gave us this wonderful view.

All of us saw the sun set soon on another odd year of the pandemic. We reflect on 2021 and see the exciting fruit of God's hand. Water wells and special projects to assist our missionary families warm our hearts. God used the pandemic to allow us the opportunity to seek his resources to meet needs that have been outstanding for many years.

The Bible talks about the fruit that is produced in our hearts, minds and relationships. Gosh have we been blessed! Again God has shown us the eternal spiritual principle of effort. Do what is possible and God does the impossible! 

Consider what fruit you will produce in 2022. What can we do differently to reflect the love and truth of Jesus Christ?

Luke 6:44 (NIV84)
Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

One poor pastor in the village of Chivuh, Zimbabwe said, God has not forgotten us! We are thankful to Him for this gift that has been so badly needed. Look for opportunities in your year to bless others and just do what is possible. God will continue to show up and do the impossible.

Thank you for partnering with us in Deeper Still Missions. We are deeply humbled and grateful for each of you. May you be blessed in this new year.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
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The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Lk 6:44). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.
Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention.   
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.