Occupy UNTIL
In recent days preachers, e-mailers and ministry newsletters have been proclaiming the near end of all things — that there is no more to come. One of the first signs of agreement is that some people even stop paying tithes and some missionaries have had to leave their posts of duty because certain sentiment dictates withdrawal of support. While certain sentiment has been the cause of withdrawing financial enablement, fear over unknown 
economic fallout of current events has also been a factor. One preacher spoke to a conference of leaders and proclaimed our need to prepare the next generation and our need to pour ourselves into that generation. The speaker that followed him got up and proclaimed that its all over with, we’re out of here and we each need to be ready to meet our Maker. The latter speaker received more response. There is a sudden rise in concern to see that everyone is ready to meet Jesus and that is, indeed, important. Yet it cannot be simplistically important at the expense of all else. People are not to be simply prepared to miss hell but to become a productive part of the Kingdom of God and a lively member fitly joined (in rank and order) to the Body of Christ (Eph 4:16). Jesus left us with the mandate of “occupying until” He returns (Lk 19:13). Strong tells us that “occupy” means to “busy oneself with”, “to trade”. Thayer says that “occupy” means “to carry on a business”. There is plenty of Father’s business yet to be done and when our Lord does return, He should find us slap dab in the middle of doing it with all the strength, passion and resources that we can muster to do it with. (Marty is speaking at DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY 2017 Sept.22-24 at Grace Int. Church just north of Houston. 936-856-2455) Info: DVP2017
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martygabler 