"The Time is Short" ...another perspective

Throughout the Bible, we see reference made to the time being short before the return of Christ.  For example...

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. –Matt 24:22

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; –2 Peter 3:10

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. –1 Thess 5:2

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. –Matt 24:42-44

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. –Rev 16:15

These scriptures focus on the date Christ returns. We even read prophecy that some will declare that our Lord delayeth His coming (Matthew 24:48). This is dangerous talk regardless of when Christ returns. Let me introduce another way to view the phrase, "tiem is short."

Not forgetting the other perspective, add to it the idea that YOUR time is short.  Our life is all too brief.  It is but a breath.  Our length of time in the Salvation Process is all too short and time passes so quickly.  Notice the scriptures...

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.–Ps 39:4

For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. –Ps 78:39

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. –Ps 90:9-10

My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. –Ps 102:11

Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. –Ps 144:4

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. –Prov 27:1

It is true, we do not know what today or tomorrow may bring.  It is appointed once to man to die.  Think of all the firstfruits who have died in the faith.  The end of days for them was not the return of Christ but their own death.  This perspective gives us a proper sense of urgency.  Paul and others in his day truly believed that Christ would return in their day.  They had a sense of urgency toward the Work and their own individual Salvation Process.

Not knowing when our end will really come, we need to be giving all diligence to our Salvation Process for the "time truly is short"!

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