AWAKE WITH OUR EYES WIDE OPEN!
No one normally sleeps with his eyes open. Closed eyelids keep corneas moist and prevent their drying out and cracking, a danger to vision.
That being said, during the years of my studenthood, I sat through many a lecture when I appeared to be alert, but, in reality, was tuned out and asleep within. I heard nothing the professors said nor did their words make any impression on my mind, though I looked like I was paying attention. I appeared to be awake when I really wasn't. Of course, I was the loser when I failed an exam that covered the material I should have listened to, but missed!
Today's Church is peppered with prophets who base their predictions false or true on the Bible and proclaim all sorts of varied outcomes to national and world affairs. Their musings are many and their visions frequent. Finally, their words fall on deaf ears because they have created so much dissonance it's easiest to ignore all of them.
Rejecting that confusion, the Church feels comfortable with having a good time, accumulating life-comforts that out-shine the Joneses, and participating in the many activities made possible by modern technologies such as social media in its many forms. She is relaxed, tired of hearing even the age-old urgency: "Prepare for Jesus' return"...the Rapture.
For all the many years the Church was exhorted to be alert for the Rapture that hasn't happened yet, she has grown weary from looking and has succumbed to falling asleep with her eyes wide open! And, because of her lethargy and lack of earnest devotion to Jesus, she is not ready for the Rapture soon to come. She fits too well the parable Jesus gave about the Ten Virgins who fell asleep while waiting for the Bridegroom. Sadly, half of them were totally unprepared and were shut out from the wedding celebration. Jesus admonished in another instance, "Few there be that find it."
True, the Church knows that scripture well. Deafened to its truth by hearing it repeatedly over the years, she nods off in slumber anyway, not fearing its outcome.
God gave a poignant message to Ezekiel for him to proclaim to Israel. That same word applies to us today, too. All prophecies given to Israel thousands of years ago and now to the Church are in the process of being fulfilled and we must open our eyes!
Listen to what Ezekiel preached to Israel who was also asleep with her eyes open: she listened to false prophets that lulled her to sleep with words of peace:
"Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Son of man, what is this proverb you people have concerning the land of Israel, saying, "The days are long and every vision fails?"'
"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb to Israel."' But tell them, 'The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision. For there will no longer be any false vision or flattering divination with the house of Israel. For I the LORD will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,'" declares the Lord GOD."
"Furthermore, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Son of man, behold the house of Israel is saying, "The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off." Therefore say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed.'" Whatever I speak will be performed. declares the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 12:21-28.
Whether or not we want to believe it, we are in the Last Days...the last of the Last Days! All around us, age-old prophecies are being fulfilled, just as God said He will do. God gives His Church the warning. All the predictions made from the days of Israel's descent into apostasy to New Testament writings are coming to their conclusion of being fulfilled. That includes the Rapture, Jesus' coming for His Bride. Only those who are ready will be caught up in the clouds to be with Him forever. The rest will spend eternity in outer darkness, which is hell itself!
You and I cannot afford to 'take a breather.' He told us to occupy until He comes. On the Mount of Olives Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission: the pursuit of souls for His kingdom. We must rescue lost men and women, boys and girls from hell before it's too late.
Rouse yourself! Shake off your lethargy! Get busy for Jesus while you can. The hour is late, so fill your cruse with the oil of the Holy Spirit and be about your Father's business! Hurry! Wake up! He's coming very soon!