In his letter to the Phillipians, the Apostle Paul speaks of the high calling in Messiah Yeshua. He lived his life in such a manner that he might obtain that for which he was called and chosen. He wanted to live so that he might attain to the resurrection from among the dead.
Paul is not here referring to the general resurrection of the dead, which even the unbelievers and condemned will experience, but, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he writes regarding the better resurrection, the first resurrection, the one which the Lord Himself speaks of in the Revelation as being ‘blessed and holy are all those having part’ in it.
What would be such a life that would ‘qualify’ us for that blessed hope at the Lord’s coming? Certainly, we would say we must love others as ourselves. Perhaps Yeshua would take us beyond and require that we love [the brethren] in Christ as He has loved us.
As Paul, none of us would confess that “I” have attained, or that “I” am already perfected. But are we pressing on? Is the high calling, this resurrection in our sights, our vision? Is being the Bride of the Lamb, co-rulers with the King of kings, loving His appearing as dear to us as it very much seems to be to Him? Are we making choices, and concerned how our attitudes, motives, actions stemming from those choices affect others in a way that reflects on the name of Jesus/Yeshua, and on other believers? In other words, are we loving Him above all, and loving others as ourselves regarding the consequences of what we do or not, and why we are doing it or not?
With Passover drawing near, many of us see in the appointed feasts/holy days of the LORD as not only actual historical events, but also redemptive and prophetic. When Yeshua came the first time. . . and was killed, buried, resurrected, appeared to many, ascended to Heaven, and gave the Holy Spirit as the promise of the Father. . .all these took place right on time and within the timing of the calendar days. Should we not apply the same thinking and interpretation of the same Scriptures speaking of the upcoming appointed times, which prophetically and redemptively speak of the end-times in anticipation of the Lord’s return and the establishing of the Kingdom of God here? That is, these will be fulfilled right on time and within the timing of the calendar days. Even so, the day and hour of the Lord’s return can not be known, but as children of the resurrection, we can be secure in faith that the Holy Spirit will help us in whatever way necessary that we can be prepared and ready as we understand the times in which we live.
Thank God! May He have mercy on us all, and may we encourage one another, provoking one another to love and good works, especially as the day nears.