Lord’s Return – Word for the Soul

“……. when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:8 ESV

At the end of the parable of the persistent widow and the unrighteous judge (Lk.18:1-8) Jesus says, “I tell you; he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk.18:8 esv) Jesus is fast forwarding to His second coming and is indicating that a spiritual decline will be in progress. The time will be a time of persistent prayer for true believers similar to the woman in the parable.. This will be a time of mass spiritual decline. True faith will be scarce. False teaches will be leading people away from the gospel, and persecutions will be on the rise.

The apostle Paul informs Timothy of the same thing in his letter of instruction of 1 Timothy. “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” (1Tim.4:1 esv) As the days get closer to Christ’s return, Satan and his demons know they are running out of time. The day of everlasting torment is getting closer for them. Their only purpose is to lie, deceive, and destroy.

The world has been observing these devilish effects for some time now. There has been a great exodus of people from the church in recent years. Many churches have abandoned their gospel roots of salvation to include unbiblical methods of salvation to get along with the changing culture. It’s not hard to see who is behind this apostasy. The evil one is doing all he can to keep people in need of salvation from hearing the true gospel. Be aware Satan is also in the business of deceiving Christians with false doctrine to keep us from growing in Christ and from evangelizing the truth.

May we be alert to the deception around us, not getting caught up in it, and be in a steadfast position to continue to share the gospel in these ‘scarce faith’ times.

Devotionals

The Prophets Have Spoken

June 20, 2025June 18, 2025 Loring Schultz

“And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’” Luke 24:25-26 NASB

Interest in the return of Christ has peaked again over the last few weeks for many Christians around the world. Tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran have escalated on top of the current crisis with the terror group Hamas. We are living in uncertain times for sure, but only the Lord God knows for sure when the end will come for this world and Christ begins to reign in His kingdom.

Christians can know for certain, and even non-Christians can know that these events will indeed happen. The Bible is filled with all sorts of prophecy concerning what we call ‘the end times.’ A thorough look through the Old Testament gives us a preview of the expected Messiah who was to come and is to come. All the prophecies concerning the birth of Christ has come true. All the prophecies of His death and resurrection have come true. So, there is no doubt the prophecies of the end times ending with Jesus’ reign on earth will also come true.

The New Testament book of Revelation is where most people go to read about those future events. Revelation is a book of prophecy as any in the Old Testament, John himself writes, “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book:” (Rev.22:18 nlt) In one of Daniel’s visions in the Old Testament is a prophecy of Jesus’ death, “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing,” (Dan.9:26 nlt) And in the same vision, we have a peak into the much further future of the tribulation, “The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.” (Dan.9:27 nlt) This is a prophecy of the antichrist. We can trust the prophets, for they have spoken. It will certainly come to pass.

Bible Studies

Don’t Be Locked Out! The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids: Parables of Jesus

May 5, 2024May 2, 2024 Loring Schultz

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” Matthew 25:10 NLT

The experience of being locked out of something creates feelings of loneliness and abandonment. This may even occur when you lock yourself out of your home, automobile, or your private office. The good news is that these lockouts are not permanent, and outside of some embarrassment you’ll be back in. But there are some permanent lockouts in life, such as being denied access to where you lost that privilege due to your own actions. And there is a greater future denial of access that is due to not acting while we have the time before the door is locked keeping us out.

Preparedness for the Lord’s return is the heavenly meaning of Jesus’ story of the ten bridesmaids. And yes again, the kingdom of heaven is in view. Jesus starts by saying, “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” (Mt.25:1 nlt) The bridesmaids were to wait in anticipation for the bridegroom to come and receive his bride beginning the wedding ceremonies. They were to be ready to meet him and be in the procession to the bridegroom’s home. But as we will see, not all of them were ready. They didn’t make it inside the reception hall.

Jesus told this parable about a future lockout as part of His Olivet Discourse in the gospel of Matthew. Among the ten bridesmaids “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” (Mt.25:2 nlt) In Jewish weddings of Jesus’ day, the bridegroom would go to his bride’s home being met by the bridesmaids for religious ceremonies before taking his bride to his home for continuation of the festivities. The bridesmaids were to be ready and watching for the coming of the bridegroom. “The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.” (Mt.25:3-4 nlt) But the bridegroom was delayed in this parable and falling asleep the bridesmaids were suddenly awakened with the announcement of his arrival.

At midnight the announcement was made the bridegroom was on his way.” All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.” (Mt.25:7 nlt) Light was needed to make their through the darkness to the bridegroom’s home. The foolish ones realized they did not have enough oil to make their way into the procession. They “asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’” (Mt.25:8 nlt)

This is a picture of us in the world today. The bridegroom represents Jesus Christ and His return. People today are the bridesmaids, both the foolish ones, and the wise ones. The foolish ones brought no oil for their lamps to light the way to the bridegroom, the wise ones did. Oil being symbolic in the Bible as the Holy Spirit is what the foolish ones did not bring with them. Tragically this represents all who make a profession of being a Christian (bridesmaid) only to find out they never accepted Christ as their savior. They don’t have the His Spirit in them, the oil for the lamp to light the way to the kingdom of heaven.

The five foolish bridesmaids tried to buy oil for their lamps at the midnight hour, but all the stores were closed, it was too late. Upon returning to the bride’s home, the door was shut and locked. They requested entrance but the bridegroom responded, “Believe me, I don’t know you!” And then he added a warning for us today, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” (Mt.25:12-13 nlt) Jesus is going to return one day suddenly and unexpectedly and if you haven’t had your lamp filled with the presence of Christ by accepting Him for salvation, it will be too late. Fill your lamp today and don’t be locked out!

Read: Matthew 25:1-13 NLT – Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Signs of the End of the World (as we know it)

March 25, 2024March 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

“For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 24:27 NLT

As each new season of the year is about to make its entrance there are signs to indicate what’s on the horizon, but also what is setting. The spring season is here in the state of Pennsylvania. We had signs of warmer temperatures, less snowfall, longer daylight hours, and flowers starting to push up from the ground to confirm God’s faithfulness in the change of the seasons. These signs clearly showed ‘winter’ was coming to an end and ‘spring’ was arriving. God is faithful in all He does with every word in scripture to come about just as He said.

We are living in unprecedented times and I’m sure you have heard many people say we are surely living in the last days. All that is going on in the world today adds fuel to the notion these are the signs of the end of the world. But we live in a fallen world where there is constant chaos and evil at every turn and always has been. This is not a reflection of the end. But Jesus does give us definite signs to look for when the end of the world is about to come.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Mt. 24:3nlt) Jesus gave them specific signs that will occur in the last days. They include false Messiahs, there will be wars and threats of more wars, nation will go against nation, and there will be famine and earthquakes. Jesus then tells them, “But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” (Mt. 24:8nlt)

It is obvious we have seen these signs for some time now and they seem to be increasing every day. There is nothing more in prophecy to be fulfilled for Jesus Christ to return for His saints before the tribulation if you believe in the rapture or His return at the end of the tribulation. We have seen the signs. There will be no doubt when He returns that it is indeed Jesus. “For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (Mt. 24:27nlt) He will then set up His kingdom and reign on the earth for one thousand years and it will be the end of the world as we know it.

Read: Matthew 24: 3-28 NLT – Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Are you anticipating His arrival?

October 4, 2023October 3, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 KJV

This past weekend, my wife and I had the opportunity to enjoy a scenic train ride as part of the Fall Foliage Excursions to the little sleepy historic town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. God’s beauty was on display with the beginning of the autumn season and a warm sunny day. One of the things that impressed me most were the amount of spectators along tracks during the 60 mile ride to our destination. At every railroad crossing, open spaces in the fields, and through the small boroughs people lined up taking pictures and capturing video of the refurbished Classic Steam Engine that pulled us along. They were waiting with anticipation for its arrival.

As I thought about this, my mind went to the many things we eagerly wait for anticipating its arrival. Most of them, if not all of them, are earthly things with no eternal value. That is not to say we shouldn’t enjoy the things God created for us to enjoy, I certainly enjoyed the Fall Foliage train ride. And there are many other things I enjoy in this life and anticipate the moment to engage in them. But do we anticipate the greatest moment of all when the Lord Jesus returns for those have believed in Him.

Those along the tracks waiting for the arrival of the steam engine train are aware of its soon arrival. Schedules are posted in advanced with departure and arrival times. The train usually runs on time, so one can estimate what time the train will arrival at their location. Also a sure sign it is close is the blowing of the whistle and the black exhaust and white steam protruding out into the sky. Train enthusiasts will heed the warnings and be prepared for its arrival.

We also have signals and warning signs that the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ could be near. No, we do not have God’s scheduled time table, but we do know He is never late and always on time. Jesus told His disciples the signs of His return in Matthew chapter 24, there will be wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes will be dominate, and many false prophets will lead people away from the true gospel of Christ. We can almost hear the whistles of the Jesus’s arrival in the distance.

The Lord Jesus’s return is certain. The gospel train is ready to leave the station, the conductor is announcing ‘all aboard.’ Are you sure you will be on that train when it comes around the bend, or will it pass you by as you take a picture?

Read Matthew 24, The Signs of the Lord’s Return: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24&version=NLT

Tag: Lord’s Return

Scarce Faith

The Prophets Have Spoken

Don’t Be Locked Out! The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids: Parables of Jesus

Signs of the End of the World (as we know it)

Are you anticipating His arrival?