WHEN THE PROMISE IS NEAR, THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN.

Greetings in the name above all names, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings, JESUS CHRIST, our great God. Praise, honor, and glory belong to Him forever. He is our Savior, and the truth He provides is the only lasting truth in the world.

God’s Promises and the Fulfillment of His Word

In Acts 7:17 (New King James Version), the Bible says:

“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 till another king arose who did not know Joseph. 19 This man dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live.”

This passage refers to the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV), where God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, a promise that would be passed down through Isaac and Jacob. This promise is also central to the Abrahamic Covenant, which is foundational for understanding God’s redemptive plan. The increasing population of the Israelites in Egypt was a sign that God was preparing to fulfill this covenant.

As the Israelites began to grow in Egypt, the Egyptians, who once welcomed them during Joseph’s time, now saw them as a threat. This is a powerful illustration of how God’s plans unfold in His perfect timing. The rapid multiplication of the Israelites was no coincidence; it was part of the divine plan to lead them out of bondage and into the promised land.

The Role of Persecution in God’s Plan

In Exodus 1:7-14 (NIV), we read:

“The Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. ‘Look,’ he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.’ So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.”

The persecution and oppression the Israelites faced were not random; they were part of God’s larger plan to fulfill His promise to Abraham. Even in the midst of hardship, God’s plan for their future was advancing. This is a reminder that God’s sovereignty operates even through difficult circumstances. His promises are not limited by human opposition. What the enemy intended for harm, God used for good  a theme we see throughout Scripture (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28)

God’s Timing and Fulfillment of Prophecy

When God’s promises are near to being fulfilled, He accelerates the events leading to their fulfillment. This is evident in the way the Israelites’ numbers grew exponentially as their time of deliverance approached. What had been a gradual increase became a sudden and rapid multiplication.

This principle is not just historical but prophetic. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of similar patterns happening before His return. In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus gives us signs to watch for in the last days. In the 20th and 21st centuries, we’ve witnessed the fulfillment of many of these signs:

1. The Return of Israel as a Nation: In 1948, Israel became a sovereign nation again, fulfilling the prophecy in Ezekiel 37:21-22 (NIV):

   “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone; I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.”

2. The Increase of False Prophets: Matthew 24:11 (NIV) warns:

   “And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

   We see a rise in people claiming to be prophets, especially in our modern era. This increase in falsehood is a sign that we are living in the last days.

3. Advancements and Knowledge: Daniel 12:4 (NIV) says:

   “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

   The exponential growth of technology and knowledge is evident today. The rise of the internet, smartphones, and other technologies is a direct fulfillment of this prophecy.

The Return of Christ is Near

As we look at the events of the 20th and 21st centuries, we can see the rapid acceleration of prophetic fulfillment. God’s promise to take His Church is nearing, and as a result, everything is speeding up. This is a theological point we must grasp: God is hastening His plan for the return of Christ, and everything in history is moving towards this climactic moment.

When Christ returns, it will be in the blink of an eye  just like the sudden multiplication of the Israelites. The end times will unfold quickly, and as Jesus said in Matthew 24:36 (NKJV):

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

We are to be ready, living with urgency, because the time of Christ’s return is drawing near. This is not the time to be lukewarm in our faith or distracted by the world. As Jesus warns in Luke 17:32-36 (NKJV):

“Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.”

This passage teaches us about the suddenness of Christ’s return and the importance of being spiritually prepared. We must be fully committed to following Jesus, not living for the world or holding on to our old life.

Conclusion: Are You Prepared for Christ’s Return?

The ultimate question for each of us is: Have you been born again? Are you living with the expectation of Christ’s return, or are you still seeking the approval of the world? Are you living in obedience to Christ, following Him completely, and staying alert to the signs of His return?

Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32). She looked back longingly at the life she left behind, and it cost her everything. We are called to follow Jesus fully and without hesitation.

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

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