"When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them."
{Luke 9:54, 55} (NIV)
It’s not time yet! James and John had seen our Lord transfigured; they had seen tremendous miracles and they were eager for the Lord to take His rightful place as King of kings on this earth. Their faith was amazing, and was perhaps inspired by the sight of Elijah on the mount. It seems from the context that their motives were righteous, and their desires were holy, but Jesus rebuked them. It’s not time yet!
Oh friend, this is the day of salvation. This is the Age of grace upon grace. This is still the time of God’s kindness, forbearance and patience. This is still the time for the Father to gaze over the world looking for those He has made, to return to Him in repentance and rest. God is not slow like us, with all sorts of things that stop us from meeting timelines, including built in procrastination. NOTHING can stop God! He can be as swift as He wants, or as slow as He wants.
The prophets saw the Day of our Lord as one of salvation and vengeance, yet they did not see the 2,000 plus years between salvation and vengeance. How many millions of souls have turned towards God during these thousands of years? How many feasts has our Heavenly Father thrown for lost souls who have come home? How much rejoicing has gone on in heaven as people from every tribe, language and nation, bow their knees and say with us: “Lord have mercy on me a sinner”? Surely in this day and age, this is an hourly event, perhaps even something that happens every minute. Wrath and vengeance are coming but It’s not time yet! Oh friend, praise His holy Name for his kindness, forbearance and patience!
Matt Maher, "Turn Around", via YouTube
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