FIRST – LAST

By Rick Mathes

Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus began His life with the King of this world (Herod) hell-bent on killing Him and ended His life with the King of this world (Satan) accomplishing the task. Jesus began His ministry with His first sermon to repent and in His last act He forgave the thief on the cross to His right. The shepherd men welcome the King of Glory into this world and the thief was the first to welcome Him into heaven. He said in many different ways that He was and is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega. He was at one time last to consider in my life and now He is all of my life.

What is the good news? If you are a believer, you will never ask that question because there will be no doubt in your mind that the resurrected Lord and Savior is the good news. He is the greatest gift of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Our hope is that He is coming in His kingdom and glory soon as our reward for faithfulness.

Why should we repent? There is a great necessity that is much more ominous and pressing than we can even imagine. When the day of the Lord arrives, God is going to unleash His pent up wrath, rage and fury for sin having killed His only Son. We must pray that we might turn our eyes and not witness the devastation His hand will apply. Christ will command that this event collimated in the devil, his demons and unbelievers be cast into the lake of fire.

Please get a handle on this: the kingdom is near! It is nearer than you think and your moment before the Lord is closer than maybe you would like it to be. The time will come when the end times will pass and He will be exalted on His throne of grace as He Was when He spoke all creation into existence.

The final effect will be your contrition and confession of sin because you will witness His holiness and you will have a self abhorrence of your sinful condition. At this moment, if you are a true believer, you will abandon your self at His feet and cry out for mercy. May God help you!