Get The Turkey Ready! Jesus Is Coming Soon!!!
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying that “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” I disagree. God wants us to know that it's Him speaking. We better be paying attention!
God does not operate in the realm of coincidences. In fact, let me go one step further and say that the word "chance" doesn't even exist in God's vernacular. Let me further illustrate my point by giving you the definition of the word "chance" right out of the Collins English Dictionary (the world's definition):
A coincidence is when two or more similar or related events occur at the same time by chance and without any planning.1
If you were to look up synonyms for the word "chance," you'd find words like "luck," "accident," or "fluke," among others. But let me tell you again: None of these words exist in God's vocabulary. Not a single one. And do you know why that is? Because our God does not operate in the realm of chance or luck, or as the late artist Bob Ross used to put it, "happy little accidents. Now, before any of you open up your email client and are ready to send me an email saying that the word "coincidence" actually does appear in Scripture, let me stop you before you start spinning your wheels.
Yes, the word appears one time in the Word of God. It's in Luke 10:31, when Jesus was telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. This is what it says:
“Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.”
The Amplified version uses the word ‘coincidence’. How do we reconcile this? Simple. In light of today's usage, what does the word used mean? Let's take a look. The word 'coincidence' or 'chance' that Jesus uses in the book of Luke is 'sygkyria', which can be broken down into two Greek words. The first word is syn. It means together or with. The second word is the Greek word kurios. It means supreme, master, lord, or sovereign in authority. What it boils down to are events that happen together by none other than by God's perfect plan.
Let's take a look at what the prophet Isaiah had to say about God's sovereignty in all things. Isaiah 46:9-10 (AMP) says:
“Remember [carefully] the former things [which I did] from ages past; For I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, And from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose,’”
I think more often than not we tend to explain things that happen by just saying, "It was just coincidence." Come on. Let's be honest with each other. The Church has become very dismissive of the things of God lately, especially the idea that our Lord is still speaking to His children...us! But let me tell you: He is still speaking if (and that's a big "if") we are willing to listen and not dismiss it as some sort of act or event that happened by chance. I've said many times, especially recently, that we have a tendency to forget the biblical fact that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent! Think about that for a moment. Once again, we can go back to the prophet Isaiah and read what God has to say in Isaiah 14:27:
“For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?” (NKJV)
And we also read in Luke 12:6-7, as Jesus was teaching on the fear of God (something that has waned exponentially not only in world, but sadly enough, within the church) He said the following:
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Our Lord is very calculated. There is nothing accidental, lucky, coincidental, or even random about our Lord. He is the very definition of providential...He IS the Almighty, all-powerful - He IS the great I AM!
Let me see if I can land the plane soon. You see, more often than I'd like to admit, I put our awesome God in the category of only working the "big" things and not paying attention to the "little" things we experience, feel or pray for. I think He's a little too busy for those things. When I think that way, what I'm doing is I'm putting Him in a box...I'm bringing Him down to a level of human limitations. And then God does something that snaps me out of my spiritual immaturity...He speaks!
Yes, you heard that right. God spoke to me. Now, before you write me off as some kind of ultra charismatic nut job, I would like to encourage you to read on and bear with me just a little bit longer.
What I have failed to realize is that God is not limited by my puny and immature understanding of His omnipotence. He IS awesome in Power! Because He IS, and there is no beginning or end to Him, so is His unlimited, unbounded, and absolute power.
Okay, it's time for a confession, family. Let me be honest and blunt with you all. There are times when I wonder things like, "How long is it going to take, Lord, to come get us to be with You? I've also found myself thinking of the rapture as a distant event. I've wondered: Will it even happen in my lifetime?
Have you ever had a moment like that? Have these questions ever crossed your mind, even if you never expressed them to anyone? Well, God knows that they have. And do you know what else? He doesn't consider anything "unimportant" or "small" when it comes to His children. He loves us so much. He is big enough to put our minds at ease by addressing our concerns. God does this as only He can.
Just a couple of days ago, I was allowing my thoughts to race around in my head (a big mistake). But God, in His great mercy, love and grace, embraced me... took me in His arms as only He can and said: "Son, I'm going to put your mind at ease by speaking to you in such a way that you KNOW it's me!
I am currently going through the book of Colossians. I usually have a bookmark in the passage that I am studying. Well, my bookmark wasn't there this time. So, instead of starting to turn the pages of Scripture from Genesis, I started from the book of Revelation. As I began thumbing through the pages of my Bible, the first swipe opened up to page 1499 (in my Bible)...to the book of James. Now, before you say, "Who cares, it's just a “coincidence”, let me tell you that I have hundreds of passages highlighted in my Bible, and it would be hard to find a page that didn't have multiple passages highlighted. But both of the pages I opened had no highlights except for one passage, and only one passage. This is what the Lord said to me through His Word (please don’t forget what I had been pondering in my mind):
“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (NKJV) —James 5:8
“You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near.” (AMP) —James 5:8
As soon as I read that, I sent Rohn (my brother from another mother and rock solid brother in Christ) a text message, see below:
Dear Family, I have been moved to write this article (even though it is a long one) as a means of encouragement. There are so many within the body of Christ that might be asking the same questions I did. Many are so discouraged because the Lord "seems" to be delaying His return for His Bride in the air via the Rapture. But let me assure you: The Lord is never early or late. He is ALWAYS ON TIME!
May you allow His words to bring you peace, comfort and joy. Know that the coming of our Lord IS near! Our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He is still speaking to His children today, especially through His Word!
Remember this: When you see Christmas decorations going up in the stores, you know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. So what is my advice to you?
Get that turkey ready, because Jesus is coming soon!
Maranatha!
"coincidence." CollinsDictionary.com. 2019. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/coincidence (15 April 2024).
Thank you so much Pablo for your encouraging words! This world can bring us down and rob us of the blessings and assurance of our Lord’s return.
You are a dear blessing to my husband and me and we are so glad that the Lord has brought your ministry into our lives.
Friends in Christ ,Newfoundland Canada( Chinada) in my book. 😅Lori and Wil
Thank you for this encouragement and the reminder that the Lord IS coming soon. And yes, He does speak to His children, if we will just listen. Maranatha!