In days past, “Jesus is coming!” was declared during almost every Sunday church meeting. Evangelists brought stirring messages about the hope of Christ’s return and there was a godly fear and expectancy in the hearts of his followers. Today, however, the coming of the Lord is seldom spoken of and, sadly, only a few righteous servants seem to yearn for his appearing.
The Bible warned of this lack of vigilance regarding Jesus’ return. “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
There are those who mock the message of Christ’s return but it is probably out of fear — fear of having to stand before God and give an account. Such mockers are among us today, preaching a new message: “Don’t worry, Christ isn’t coming. The sun will rise on schedule tomorrow, the seasons will come and go. All the warnings we heard in the past haven’t come to pass, so enjoy yourself and be happy.” God’s laws are being mocked in high places and there is rampant lawlessness in the land. We read of atrocities being committed around the world and watch increasing instances of deadly new diseases, while natural disasters increase in number and intensity. It should be clear to even the ungodly that the Lord is shaking everything that can be shaken.
In Matthew, Jesus says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). Jesus’s coming should not disturb you, it should thrill you! If you truly love someone, you want to be near that person, right? Imagine what it will be like when Jesus calls your name.
In the midst of these times, Jesus says, “Surely I am coming quickly,” and the Bride of Christ answers, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (see Revelation 22:20). This is our blessed hope!
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David Wilkerson (1931 – 2011)
Founder of Times Square Church in New York City with over 100 different languages spoken in the congregation. Wilkerson wrote many powerful books such as: The Vision and Cross and the Switchblade. His ministry was prophetic as God called him to be a watchman to the Church in North America. He gave clear messages on repentance to the Church.Wilkerson also founded Teen Challenge where there are hundreds of centres for Christ-centered drug recovery and addiction recovery. He also organized and spoke at pastors gatherings in many countries where he gave prophetic strong messages to encourage pastors and leaders.
Recommends these books by David Wilkerson:
The Vision and Beyond, Prophecies Fulfilled and Still to Come by David Wilkerson
Knowing God by Name: Names of God That Bring Hope and Healing by David Wilkerson
God's Plan to Protect His People in the Coming Depression by David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson is an American Christian evangelist, most well-known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade. He is also the founder of Times Square Church in New York, an interdenominational church.
Wilkerson is well-known for these early years of his ministry to young drug addicts and gang members in New York City in the 1950s and 1960s. He co-authored a book about his work with the New York drug addicts, The Cross and the Switchblade, which became a best-seller, selling over 50 million copies in over thirty languages since it was published in 1963. The book was included among the 100 most important Christian books of the 20th century.
For over four decades, Wilkerson's ministry has included preaching, teaching and writing. He has authored over 30 books.
David Wilkerson is the founder and president of World Challenge, Inc., a nonprofit organization incorporated on September 22, 1971. Reverend Wilkerson, the author of over thirty inspirational books, is perhaps best known for his early days of ministry to young drug addicts and gang members in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. His story is told in The Cross and the Switchblade, a book he co-authored which became a best-seller. (The story has been read by over 50 million people in some thirty languages and 150 countries since 1963. In 1969, a motion picture of the same title was released.)
For over four decades, Reverend Wilkerson's evangelistic ministry has included preaching, teaching and writing. Throughout that time a distinctive characteristic of his work has been his direct efforts to reach the neediest members of the population with help for both body and soul. Even now, the almost 70 year-old minister often goes out alone or sometimes with an assistant to walk through the streets of New York City, along Broadway and Eighth Avenue or down 42nd Street and nearby "Crack Alley" on 41st Street. His mission is always to seek out the lost, the disoriented, and the addicted , to tell them of the power of the risen Christ to set them free.
David Wilkerson, born in Hammond, Indiana on May 19, 1931, was married in 1953 to Gwen Carosso. The Wilkersons' two sons are ministers, and their two daughters are married to ministers. They have 11 grandchildren. The Wilkersons served small pastorates in Scottsdale and Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, until Reverend Wilkerson saw a photograph in Life magazine of several New York City teenagers charged with murder. Moved with compassion he was drawn to the city in February 1959. It was at that time he began his street ministry to what one writer called "desperate, bewildered, addicted, often violent youth.