Brent Oliver is the pastor at the First Assembly of God Church in Delphi. Life is a teacher and as the years go by, a person learns who or what they can trust. This is called experience.

In light of this I would like to draw your thoughts towards what many are already thinking about, Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Were you aware that Jesus’ birth and the facts surrounding His birth were predicted hundreds of years before it happened? Over 100 prophecies pinpoint specific facts surrounding his birth from the virgin birth, to Jesus’ birthplace Bethlehem, to the family line he would come from descendant of David, to the fact that Herod would threaten to kill him. So, if the Bible predicted hundreds of years in advance over 100 facts about Jesus’ birth and it came true, wouldn’t you consider that a reliable source? Yet with all the forewarning, when it happened most people were unaware. Even as He fulfilled other prophecies during his lifetime, most people rejected Him.

Jesus’ SECOND COMING is also predicted by numerous prophecies many which have been and are being fulfilled in our generation. My very deep concern is that the same thing is happening; most are unaware and unprepared. Jesus himself predicted that His second coming would be in a day like Noah’s before the flood. If you remember, in Noah’s day eight people were preparing for judgment and the rest of the world was just too busy with their lives to worry about it. Then, the flood came and it was too late, except for the eight who prepared.

Church attendance in America is at its lowest in history. The Commandment to “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” Exodus 20:8, is being ignored by more people than ever even in light of end-time prophecies being fulfilled. Furthermore, many of those who know the facts of the prophecies and the Commandments are not practicing what they know. Does not this sound like the unprepared people of Noah’s day?

Oh citizens of Carroll County and beyond do not love your own life and lifestyle and temporal pursuits more than you love God! On the Day of Judgment, all the excuses in the world will not matter. The Word of God is a trustworthy teacher. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

Jesus was born because God was reaching out to you. Put your hand in His and walk with Him each day. Judgment is coming - you want to be prepared!