This past week Queen Elizabeth of England died at the age of 96. She reigned for 70 years, 214 days, and was the longest reigning monarch in the history of the British Empire. And as far as we know, she was the second longest reigning monarch of any sovereign country ever. At the time of her death she was Queen of 14 other Commonwealth realms in addition to the United Kingdom. However, without respect to how important she was to so many people, this past Thursday she had an appointment with God. And she is already on the calendar for one more appointment in the future.
Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed for men to die once, and after this the judgment.
The Queen was a special lady to me. Brenda and I were living in England, not far from Windsor Castle in 1977 when she celebrated her Silver Jubilee commemorating her 25th anniversary as Queen of England. It was interesting times. The Queen, and indeed all of Great Britain had problems.
Many people seem to have a short memory when it comes to other people’s problems. From 1974 onwards, including the years I lived in England, there were terrorists bombings and mortar attacks and executions perpetrated against members and former members of the British military, local law enforcement, members of royal family, protestants, and common ordinary everyday citizens simply going about their daily lives. The terrorist group known as the Irish Republican Army, in efforts to have their voices and complaints heard has been responsible for almost 2,000 innocent people being targeted and killed.
As a member of the United States military stationed in the UK, I had to be on constant guard and acutely aware of my surroundings everywhere I went. There were so many places I just could not go due to the times were living in. But how quickly forgotten are the times and seasons gone by. Life is too precious to be stuck in the past.
The season we just entered is my favorite of every year. There is something special about the autumn season, and it’s not just me who feels this way, so does God.
This is the season of new beginnings. When people wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg, I can tell you for sure … it was the chicken. God’s pattern is to start with the year with the full-grown fruits of the harvest, not with the seed. God begins each day with the evening, each week with a day of rest, and each new year at the end of labor. Something new and wonderful can happen in your life right now, even if others believe you to be at your end. Our greatest day is always yet ahead!
Just a few days from now, on September 25, we will celebrate the Rosh Hashanah, the head of the Jewish New Year, immediately followed by the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the season in which Jesus was born and the time of the year when I believe He will return for His bride. Will it be this year? Who knows … I certainly hope so. However, when asked that question by His disciples Jesus replied:
Acts 1:7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”
So … I don’t know, but I can hope. We do live in interesting times.
Today however, is the 21st anniversary of the historic and horrific 9-11 terrorist attack on America. Near 3000 people died that day from over 90 countries. Military, first responders, tourists, owners of companies, janitors, secretaries, dignitaries, moms, dads, children, and perpetrators.
Those responsible were Impassioned people blinded by a villainous narrative. They imagined it just to judge and punish others they believed should pay for the pain they felt. And they believed America was to blame.
John 16:2 “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
How can people be so blinded by the times that they sacrifice themselves and others trying to prove a point. In order to destroy those they have judged guilty they become guilty themselves by hurting the innocent. We live in interesting times. But there have always been interesting times for which we have been well prepared. With these things in mind let’s turn to:
1 Thessalonians 5 NKJV
1 ¶ But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
The truth is:
- Everyone has an appointment with death.
- We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
- No one will be allowed to blame someone else.
- The times and seasons of our lives are in God’s hands.
- Jesus gave us instructions straight from His own lips.
Acts 1 NKJV
8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Are you ready for a new beginning? God is … Lama lo, (Hebrew: Why not?) That’s what Tony Wilson said to me yesterday as I prayed with him at the hospital.
