Living in the Future?

Living in the Future?

^{“ Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” – Genesis 5:23-24 NIV}

^{“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” – Hebrews 11:5 NIV}

^{Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” – Jude 14-15 NIV}

    ^{Too many people are living in the past. Enoch, however, was a man who lived in the future. His whole biography in the Bible is wrapped up in the second coming of Jesus Christ.}

     ^{Enoch preached the second coming.  “See, the Lord is coming” was his message, and he wanted everyone to hear it. It wasn’t easy to preach to the crowd that lived before the flood, but Enoch was faithful to his message.}

     ^{Enoch practiced the second coming. He walked with God. 1 John 3:3 states, “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” That means that we must live as though Jesus will return at any moment. John warned that some believers will be ashamed before Jesus when He returns. (See 1 John 2:28).}

     ^{Enoch pictured the second coming.  One day he was gone! Enoch was “taken away.” He was taken out of this world and into the next by God. He was taken away before the great flood that judged the earth! And Enoch didn’t have to die! Imagine that! Because he pleased God and walked faithfully with Him.}

    ^{I know I’ve often encouraged us to live in the moment. That yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t here yet, but maybe, just maybe we should be living in the future as we look forward to Christ’s return. And perhaps, if we look forward to His coming again, we’ll see how wonderful the present can become with our Savior Jesus!}

^

^{Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. If you’re a regular attender or member of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading  John 21:1-19 to get ready to hear God’s message through him this coming Sunday, May 4, 2025.}

Called to pray for you, teach you and encourage you in your faith,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.