WHEN
When asks us what time? How soon? Under what circumstances? The previous are just three questions regarding
when, for if you would just think for a moment you would realize the when factor occurs more than you might have even given thought to. Ponder this, how often have you heard when is all of this going to be over? When am I going to find a job? When am I going
to get paid? Some might even dare to ask, when is Jesus coming back? When, when, when! When you hear the word ‘when’, you can almost hear an urgency cry, for some will ask when, because what they are going through, they want it to be over, and
whatever ‘it’ may be, is currently taking them through an uncomfortable situation, they want the situation to be over or the pain to stop.
When
suggests parameters, I need to know how long, so I can prepare for the next step or phase, I would like to know when do you think you will be finish cooking, so I will have an idea ‘when’ I can eat. When also suggests that there is an expectation,
and you would like to know, the how long will it be before the manifestation of your expectation is realized. You can reference Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:4, and Luke 21:7 where the question was asked by Jesus’ disciples in private, "Tell us, when
shall these things be?" Someone is always asking when is it going to happen!
Jesus has just spoken to the disciples on the Mount of Olives, and
was alerting them to the coming judgment on the temple and all nations (all peoples). Jesus’ final and strong warning and reproach take place in two parts. First, while Jesus was still in the temple, He meted out some stern warnings against the scribes
and Pharisees, in view of God’s judgment on Israel Ref. Matthew (chap. 23). With His disciples in private Jesus predicted the destruction
of the temple and the final judgment of all people. Ref. Matthew (chaps. 24-25). The temple invective (Jesus’ strong reproach and
accusations) is divided into three sections. In Matthew 23:1-12 Jesus warned against imitating various kinds of undesirable behavior the
Jewish leaders too frequently engaged in. Ref. Matthew 23:13-36 Where Jesus discusses seven woes pointing to their hypocrisy. Matthew 23:37-39 the tone changes as Jesus compassionately lamented Israel’s downfall and hinted at a future restoration.
‘When’ asks for a fine tunning, so that there is some clear line of time as best as possible regarding the matter or issue at hand, my question to you is, when are you going to realize
that our days here on this earth are numbered, and when our number is called, it is not if our number will be called, it is a resounding when! Since we do not know the ‘when’, we need to be ready. Therefore, we need to occupy until Jesus comes
ref. Luke 19:13. When are you going to seek the Lord? The bibles response from Isa. 55:6 "seek the Lord, while He may be found, call on Him, while He is near"
I mentioned that ‘when’ suggests parameters and fine tunning, which points to restraints. ‘When’ a child of God exercises restraint, they are led by the Holy Spirit, and they will trust the Lord when? At all times,
with praises continually in their mouths’. When will the child of God work, the Holy Spirit will let them know to work while it is still day, for when the night (death) comes, they will no longer will be able to work!
When one has kept the faith, and fought a good fight, and when they have stayed on course, what can they expect? When they get to see Jesus, and receive their welcome into the new heaven and
new earth, they can expect a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: Ref. II Tim. 4:6-7. When one who does not know the Lord get to the judgement seat, what can they expect to hear or receive? The unregenerate
will receive orders and a command to depart, for their works of iniquity and they will have their place with the devil and all of his cohorts. You can reference the following 3 verses: Matthew 7:23; Matthew 25:41, and Luke 13:27..
When are we going to start praying more and trusting in God with all of our heart mind
and soul, when are we going to stop leaning to our own understanding, and acknowledge the Lord, when are we going to start loving our neighbor as ourselves, when are we going to let the light of Christ shine in us before men, when are we going to allow God
to have all of us and not just part of us, when are we going to give up those things that separate us from going to the next level in Christ, When, when, when!
You
must answer the when’s in your own life, and I encourage you to do so in light of God’s Word. So WHEN are you going to get started?