SPECIAL HOURS

Jack Davis

The word translated “hour” in scripture is sometimes used to express the duration of any given event. It doesn’t always speak of a period of time just 60 minutes long, but of an expended period of time; the time when a designated or appointed action is to take place.

THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT
Rev. 14:6-7, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

We here read of an important hour on God’s clock. Just preceding this hour John views this heavenly messenger flying with the everlasting gospel. Flying here expresses swiftness of movement, telling us of the quick spread of the message. His declaration in more demanding than pleading, entreating, or imploring. This is one of the last calls of grace. This merciful warning is centred around the “HOUR of His judgment.” The message of the everlasting gospel tells the hearers to do three things. FEAR GOD, GIVE HIM GLORY, WORSHIP HIM. The Creator of all things.

This message offsets the ministry of the false prophet, who is at that time trying to induce the world to revere, honor and adore the Antichrist. Unmerited mercy, rejected, brings unmeasured judgment. To refuse the Truth is to believe the Lie. Reject the light and blindness will result. Ignore the only Way and gain eternal loss. Resisting the true life brings eternal death.

Jesus is the Judge: all the universe awaits the time of His eternal decisions. He, the sinless Son of man, bore the full wrath of God’s judgment for sinful men. He was made sin for us and tasted death for every man; therefore all judgment was committed unto Him. The hour of His judgment cometh. There is no putting it off nor getting around it when it is time to come. Believers will not face the white throne judgment, but praise God there is a judgment seat (throne) of Christ.

Rev. 11:17-18, “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” There is coming a time when He the righteous Judge will judge the world, in righteousness, The nations will come before Him. He will put down all rule, authority and power, yea, all things under His feet.

As he walks in the midst of the candlesticks today, and as we submit to His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit we are being made ready for such an hour, to receive the Judge’s decision. That Hour we hail with gladness, as a time of blessing and reward. We shall stand before Him and receive incorruptible crowns of righteousness, gold, and glory.

HOURS OF HIS HEARING
Moses said, “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear” – Acts 7:37. When God interrupted Peter at Christ’s transfiguration, He said, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM” – Mt. 17:5. He shall be heard, now and later.

John 5:24-26, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself.”

He Who is Life and has life in Himself, puts life into our hearts and ears. He gives a hearing ear and a believing heart to those who were dead, for His is a life-giving voice. Today is the time to hear His voice, by His Word, through the spirit and live; to pass from death unto life, enjoy an abundant life, and inherit all the rich benefits of eternal life. Now is the time for listening the partaking of a full salvation. “Now is the accepted time” – II Cor. 6:2. “Knowing the time… Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” – Rom. 13:11. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…I said in my heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time for every purpose and for every work” – Eccl. 3:1,17. We cannot afford to waste our opportunities but must redeem the time, Eph. 5:16.

HOUR OF HIS WORSHIP
John 4:21-24, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Jesus, in teaching this woman of Samaria of the place and power of true worship, sought to bring her thoughts from location to salvation. It is only through the experiencing of a spiritual birth that we come to know God as our Father, the Object of true worship. Salvation’s outflow is worship that is sincere. He said unto her, “Believe Me.” He was leading from external rites into internal and eternal realities. Knowing God as our Father, our worship is not dependent upon location, for we may now enter the Holiest of Holies, which is not so much a physical place as a spiritual realm. Jesus, here on His first advent was bringing in the hour of true worship. He was fulfilling all the law’s demands, and laying aside ritualistic observances. Now especially since the cross, spiritual worship is according to truth and true worship is in the spirit.

“Must” – we find in the gospel of John three essentials to true worship. These are absolute and unconditional – Jn. 3:14, The Son of man “MUST” be lifted up to die on the cross. “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me. This He said signifying what death He should die” -Jn. 12:32-33. Jesus said that the “hour” is come that the Son of man should be glorified. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit” – Jn. 12:23-24.

Worship is indeed a result of redemption. Jesus death on the cross made provision for true worship  in the spirit, and that of many sons brought to glory, or “Much Fruit.”
Glory to God! We may now lift up our hearts and hands in praise and our tongues may lift up the testimony of His being lifted up. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye MUST BE BORN AGAIN” – Jn. 3:6-7.

Regeneration is a work of the Holy Spirit by Whom we are brought into the realm of true worship. “Ye must be born again,” for this is becoming a new creation. Since God is now our Father, let us worship Him now as our chief present occupation. Worship Him now, with what we are first, then with what we have and with what we do, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me let him follow Me; and where I am there shall My servant be: If any man serve Me him will My Father honor” – Jn. 12:25-26.

Jesus said, “FOLLOW Me.” It is evident that the believer is losing any part of his life that he is trying to hoard to himself. On the other hand the part of our life that we yield, laying it down for Him, we retain with eternal gain. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” – Eccl. 12:1. Thank God we may all worship Him with whatever remains of the rest of our lives, and we begin giving to Him one day at a time. But if we have neglected Him formerly, remember that He can still do a quick work in us if we so desire. REDEEM THE TIME! We will be so glad that we did when we come to the “Hour of His coming.”

“HOUR OF HIS COMING”
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which they that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” – Jn. 5:28-29. Jesus made some interesting statements concerning this exciting hour (Mark 13:31-37 and Acts 1:7). “No man knoweth the day nor hour,” but the Father hath put them in His power (authority). This hour will be a surprise to most. It will come as a thief in the night. This marvelous Hour will be the time for the universal exercise of Jesus’ authority and power. Oh Yes, they which are in the graves shall hear His voice, Praise God, and they shall come forth. The hour is certainly coming when our dear Lord Himself “shall descend with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and the trump of God…” He shall be heard! We will be moved by that voice,  and ascend with a shout! Are you Listening?