Seeing Christ at the Hour of His Return — Carter Conlon

The Promise of Christ’s Return and the Danger of Spiritual Complacency

Praise God. If you'd open your Bibles, please, to the book of Matthew chapter 24 in the New Testament. I'm going to speak to you this morning a message that the Lord spoke to me during my own personal devotional time on Wednesday, last Wednesday morning.

And it's called, Seeing Christ at the Hour of His Return. Father, I thank you, God, with all my heart. I praise you, Lord, that I can stand here knowing, Lord, that you will anoint your word and you'll cause it to find its mark in every heart.

I thank you, Lord, that the desire of your heart this day will be satisfied and that your word will find free course into the hearts of your people and that your church will be strengthened. God Almighty, strengthen your people, not only in this city but all over the world, Lord.

Strengthen your church. Prepare us for this hour that we're living in. Help us, God. And Father, help me today, Lord. Overshadow my frailty, O God, and let your strength become mine. Let your mind become mine, O God.

Speak through this vessel, Lord. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Seeing Christ at the Hour of His Return. Now, let me just, before I even read the scripture, let me just start with this. And Peter says in his second epistle, he said, in the last days there are going to come scoffers walking after their own lusts.

And they're going to say, where is the promise of his coming? In other words, these people are not outside of at least a marginal understanding of scripture. They do know about Christ, and they do know about the promise of his return.

Now, tragically, I think what Peter is speaking about is found in the house of God, or at least the house that claims to be the house of God. And he says that in the last days there's going to be a whole contingency of people who are walking according to their own lusts.

Their whole seeking of God is a lust-based seeking. Lusting for fame, lusting for comfort, lusting for recognition among men. As Jesus said to the Pharisees, they want the finest seats, they want to be called teacher, teacher among, they want reputation among the people, etc., etc.

So the whole pursuit is a lustful pursuit of God. And they're going to not see his coming. That's really what Peter infers. That there's going to be a trumpet call in the last days. And they're going to be scoffed at this trumpet call and say, where is the promise of his coming?

Come on folks, they're going to say it's been like this for over 2 ,000 years. We've heard this before, and they can point even historically. There were voices raised throughout various centuries that talked about the coming of the Lord.

And they'll go right back even to the apostle Paul, who lived and breathed as if Christ was coming any moment. Rightly so. And think about it for a moment, if Paul felt that way, how much more should you and I feel that way in our generation?

They're going to say, where is the promise of his coming? But Paul says to the Thessalonian church in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse 4,. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

You are not a people of darkness that you should be surprised by this. You've been forewarned and told in the scriptures. The Holy Spirit bears witness to what is truth and what is not. In the hour that we're living in all through history.

And we're not in darkness. Unless our pursuit of God is a carnal one. That means it's not in line with the scriptures. It's not in line with the heart of God. It will produce a scorning of the warnings of God.

The Faithful Servant Who Gives Strength in the Storm

Now Matthew chapter 24 verse 44, that's where we're going to start. Now Jesus is talking about the coming, the day he returns. That's the context of what he's speaking about. Verse 44,. And to eat and drink with the drunken.

The Lord of that servant shall come in the day when he looks not for him. And in an hour he's not aware of. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him as portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Chapter 25. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins. Which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and five were foolish. And they that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And while the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made. Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise. Give us of your oil. For our lamps are gone out. Now Jesus said these words in chapter 24 verses 45 and 46. He said.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant. Whom his Lord has made ruler over his household to give them meat in due season. Blessed is that servant. Whom his Lord when he comes shall find so doing. In other words Christ is asking this question.

Who then is a faithful servant. A servant who will be found giving the people spiritual and physical strength in the hour of their need. He said blessed is that servant when he comes and finds him doing this.

I think about Acts chapter 27. If you go there put a marker in Matthew 24 please and go to Acts chapter 27. I know we've spent a lot of time in this passage of scripture in the last several months. Acts chapter 27.

Now here is a man Paul. And this apostle is in perfect communion with God. Paul on the ship in the midst of the storm. In verse 33 he says. While the day was coming on Paul besought them all to take meat.

Saying this is the 14th day that you've tarried and continued fasting and have taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat for this is for your health. For there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you.

And when he had thus spoken he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all. And when he had broken it he began to eat. And they were all of good cheer and they also took some meat. Now here is the apostle Paul fulfilling as it is what Jesus spoke about.

Who is that servant? Who is that servant that will be giving meat to those who need strength in this time. This critical time. Because Jesus is speaking in Matthew 24 of the context of perilous times coming into the world.

And the very threshold of his soon coming, his return. There will be servants that will be no different than those around the world who will be fearful. Who will have no word. They'll have no direction.

They'll have no hope. They'll not see Christ in the storm. They'll not be able to be given for other people. But think about the apostle Paul. He's breaking bread on that ship because he'd made a choice.

And the choice was Jesus you were broken for me. You went to a cross. You were willing to suffer. You were willing to go through whatever hardship you personally had to go through that I might have the assurance of everlasting life.

And Paul was so deeply grateful for this that he was willing to be broken himself. He was willing to say my life, my all that others may come to know Jesus Christ. And because of this, he was supernaturally touched from heaven.

Paul heard and saw Christ in the storm. And folks, no matter where we go in the coming days, you've got to be given for other people. And when you are, you will see Christ in the storm. You will hear Christ in the storm.

After many days abstinence, it says Paul stood on the deck of the ship and he said be of good cheer. He said a messenger from God came to me and told me don't be afraid Paul. Your destiny is to be brought as a testimony before the imperial power as it is in Rome.

And I've given you all that sail with you on this journey. So Paul is able to stand and then he tells the people, he says take on some meat. Take on some meat that shall be good for you. Not a hair of your head is going to perish.

Now they're all going to get wet. They're all going to be cold. They're all going to go through the storm. They're all going to end up in a land that they don't even recognize. They're going to be at the mercy of other people.

It's not going to be an easy journey. But Paul says take some meat. And folks, that's what you and I need to do now. It's time to get in this book. I've shared this last week and take some meat out of this book.

Begin to understand that we're not called just to live the Christian life to be happy all the time. Or to be healthy or to be wealthy and all the rest of these things that have so been propagated in our generation.

We are called to follow Christ. We are called to suffer if need be for a season according to the apostle Peter. We are called to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to every man, woman and child that lives in our generation.

We are not called to panic in the storm. We are called to stand and will stand in divine strength in so much as that we are one in heart and mind with the purposes of God. I believe that the future of the true church of Jesus Christ is to have such a vision of heaven.

That we will have that song that David the psalmist spoke about. A song of praise that people look at. It's not so much they hear it. David said they see it. And when they see it, the fear of God comes into their heart.

And they say only God could have a person walk with that measure of confidence in the storms that we're in at this present moment of time. Folks, if you are one in heart with God, all of a sudden your value system is going to change.

The way you see things is going to change. You're going to go through the storm. You're not going to evade the storm. You're not going to avoid the storm. You're going to go through it understanding that God is in control of it.

He has ordained it to happen. It's not happening by happenstance. God already knew it was going to happen. He's already speaking to His church. He's already telling us we're going to have to go through.

And if you can hear the whole message, it's not just about going through the storm, folks. We're going to go through in victory. We're going to go through supernaturally carried by the Spirit of God. Praise be to God.

And Jesus said again in Matthew chapter 24, He says, The servant that he finds doing this, giving strength to others, not just trying to preserve himself or herself, but found in the storm giving strength to others, comforting.

By the comfort, the Scripture says that we ourselves have received of God. A right perspective on life. A right perspective on what it means to be part of the church of Jesus Christ. A right perspective on eternity and time.

And He says He'll make Him ruler over all His goods. Now we can see that in the future context, but it also speaks to us in the present context. Paul lands on the shore after the storm is over. You know the story.

He's gathering sticks to put them under fire. And a serpent comes and bites him on the hand. Now I do believe that that serpent's bite, among other things, was an attempt by Satan to infuse Paul with sudden fear.

And to destroy the living testimony through which God was guiding so many to safety. Paul had a testimony. God is with me. God is speaking to me. God is guiding me. And he believed it with all his heart.

It wasn't just rote. He was getting this in the belly of the ship. He was getting it in the place of hardship and darkness that he himself had to go through. He had a word in his heart. You've got to get a word from God now.

You have to get a word. You've got to get it yourself. You've got to get it from this book. You've got to get it in the prayer closet. You've got to let the Holy Spirit speak to you now about where your life is going and what the purpose of your life is.

He'll show you the end from the beginning. Didn't Jesus say when the Comforter has come, He will show you things to come? He will show you. Paul knew, I'm not going to drown. I'm not going to be triumphed over.

I'm going to be brought before Caesar. Now Satan knows the danger of this kind of a man, of God, who is God-gripped. And so immediately on that shore, he bites his hand. And everyone around thinks this man is going to die.

And I feel that Satan says, I've got to get fear into this man. I've got to make him afraid. I've got to take away his confidence. That's why the Scripture tells us, don't cast away your confidence in the time of trial.

Don't throw away everything you've learned about God and all of the promises He's made and His ability to sustain and keep you. Don't throw it away when things get tough in your life. Remember Jesus said, if that servant is found giving meat, and I see that as giving strength in the storm to other people, I'll give him all my goods.

Now Paul, the Scripture says, shook off this beast into the fire and felt no harm. Now Paul who saw Christ in the storm, he saw Jesus guiding him to an appointed place, and he knew the Word of God could not be triumphed over.

And so the Lord says, I'll give you all my goods. Behold, He said in Luke 10, 19, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

I give you power. I give you power, God said, to trample on every infusion of fear that the enemy will try to put in you. I give you power. If you are dedicated to helping others through the storm, if your focus is right, if you have an eternal perspective, He says, I give you power, and you will do just like Paul did.

You'll take that serpent and just shake it into the fire. You'll say to the devil, back to hell where you belong. Your poison and fear is not coming into my life. Matthew, Mark 16, 17. Mark said, These signs shall follow them that believe.

In my name they will cast out devils, they will speak with new tongues, and they will take up serpents. In other words, they will have the mastery over their former fears. That's what really that means.

Mastery Over Fear and Healing Through the Church

Remember when Moses was called to go in and deliver the people of God from an impossible situation, humanly speaking. The Lord said, Cast down the rod that's in your hand, it became a serpent. And Moses started to flee from it, the scripture tells us.

But the Lord stopped him and says, Listen, you don't have to be afraid of any of these powers of evil. He said, Turn around and take it up again. And I always loved the part of the scripture that says, He picked it up by the tail.

That tells me the serpent is heading in the other direction because there's a man listening to God. And the devil knows if somebody starts listening to God, his days are over, his kingdom is done. His power is nothing.

And Moses had to literally chase down the serpent, grab it by the tail and it became a rod of authority in his hand again. And this is how God gives his goods, in a sense, to those who are walking in right perspective with him.

He says, I'll give you mastery over your former fears. Things that you used to be afraid of will become a rod of confidence in God in your hand. God says, I'll take you through the fire. I'll take you through the flood.

You'll not be overwhelmed by anything that you have to face. And then again in Acts chapter 28, verses 8 and 9, the scripture shows us that healing begins to flow through his hands. Praise God, healing begins to flow.

The very hand that Satan tried to infuse fear into, healing starts flowing. Oh folks, if you can see what I'm seeing, I see a body of Christ, not just in New York City, but around the world, that are not going to hold, they're not going to pull their hands into themselves in a time of fear, but they're going to reach out.

And the healing is not just, it is supernatural physical healing, but it's also compassion, it's direction, it's comfort. This healing of God, everything that was purchased on Calvary, is going to flow through the hands of the bride of Jesus Christ.

Praise be to God. The Lord says, if I find you giving meat in the storm, I'll give you all my goods. Praise God, I'll give you everything I won for you on Calvary. And it will not be just for you, but it will flow through you.

Talk about a divine life, talk about a divine moment, talk about a divine appointment. Now back again in Matthew chapter 24, verses 48 and 49. He says, but if that evil servant says in his heart, my Lord delays his coming and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.

Now these are the characteristics of the one who says that my Lord is delaying his coming. He begins to smite his fellow servants. In other words, inwardly mocks those whose eyes are set upon Christ. Back in verses 38 and 39 of Matthew chapter 24, Jesus says, as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away.

And so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. I can hear the people. Noah is just too extreme. I mean, he's been building this thing for over a hundred years. He's been around forever. And his message has always been the same.

Judgment is coming. The rain is coming. Prepare an ark for your house. Get out from among them. And folks, you have to know, people would have believed. There would have been people that actually believed him.

But when the time came, when the urgency of the moment finally arrived, and passing by, perhaps on the way to work as they always do, and there's Noah. And Noah is finally saying, the day has come. It's arrived.

Everything that the Lord gave me. It's just around the corner. A week, two weeks, maybe three weeks, maybe a month. Who knows what the time frame was. And you could see people in their hearts. I said at the beginning, they get this way because their focus is wrong.

And they say, no, the Lord can't come. You see, He can't come because I'm so enjoying this good life. And I so have a vision of myself that has to still yet be fulfilled. And I've just finally got a farm and a land and a business and all these other things.

And they're so dear to me. The Lord can't come. Certainly, He wouldn't give me all this and then all of a sudden come and take me away to heaven. And some pass by and say, well, don't listen to Noah. He's just so extreme.

We believe too. But the day of judgment is not as close as He says it is. Remember, Lot tried to convince his own family. And the Bible says, I mean, angels were in his house. And he knew he had a word from God.

And he went to his sons-in-law. And the Bible says, he seemed to them as one who's telling a joke. And they wouldn't believe him. And folks, we're living in that kind of an hour now. And remember, when the judgment began, they were left outside in Noah's day.

Think about it for a moment. Think of the crowds that gathered outside that ark. A foot of water is on the ground. Then a foot and a half. Then two feet. Then three feet. Think of them. But the Bible tells us the day it began to rain, God shut the door.

And they couldn't get in. It's not that they've been given the word. It's as if they couldn't find that place of security because they had mocked it for too long. They'd become too complacent with the warnings of God.

So when the judgment finally came, they ran to find security and safety and couldn't find it. Just as Jesus speaks about in Matthew chapter 25. He says, they'll also begin to, if they begin to smite their fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken.

In other words, to fellowship at a table with those whose affections are set upon the things of this perishing world. I warn this church. I warn the church body worldwide. Anybody that can hear this voice, this one voice in New York City at this time.

If you're sitting at a table with people whose affections are set upon the things of this world, you have to get up and get out of there now. You have to get out of there. Matthew 24 and verse 50 says, The Lord of that servant will come in the day when he's not looking for him and an hour he's not aware of.

They'll not even be aware that Christ is at the door. Think of the last church in Revelation, the church of Laodicea. This is a religiousness that Jesus described as lukewarm. They were sitting around a table and they said, and this is the church, folks.

These are letters to the church. And they're sitting around a table and saying, isn't God good? We're rich, we're increased with goods, and we have need of nothing. And Jesus is outside of all of this trying to get in.

And the scripture tells us that this religion was lukewarm. And folks, it can't be anything else but lukewarm, because that which gives life and passion to the church is not in it. Life and passion comes when you and I are walking in one heart and one accord with Almighty God, who sent His Son to die as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of men and women and children created in the image of God.

And it's in the heart of God that not one in this world should perish. Now folks, you can't have passion in a religion that's focused on itself. It's impossible, because it's against Christ. It's against the very reason that He came to this world and went to a cross.

It's impossible. It has to be lukewarm. It can't be anything else but lukewarm. It's a miracle it's not cold. And here's Jesus standing on the outside, and He's on the outside of the visual range of this church.

They can't see Him because He's outside. He's knocking on the door saying, I want to come in, but it's going to require a change. There's going to have to be a new value system. You're going to have to lay down this pursuit of self, and begin to realize what the work of God is in the earth.

He says to them, you are blind. You must anoint your eyes that you may see. He calls His own church blind. And folks, I don't care how you view this book of Revelation, these are letters to the church.

And He says to this church, I'll spew you out of my mouth. In other words, I'll not testify to the Father about you. There's a day coming. And He says He will cut them asunder. In Matthew 24 verse 51,.

And the point of His portion with hypocrites, and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. These people have put themselves in a place where they're cut off from the life of God. Now Matthew chapter 25, He says, then the kingdom.

Now listen, we're still in the same context. Of heaven will be likened to ten virgins. It's an example. Which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and five were foolish.

And they that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. Now the whole context is that they can't see. It's midnight. Jesus said at midnight a cry was made. It's the darkest time of the day.

It's a time of upheaval. It's a time of darkness. And a cry comes. The bridegroom is coming. Go out and meet him. The wise knew. And they could see. That's the whole context of the oil. They could see.

They could see He's coming. Just picture if you were one of these without oil. And you're on this pathway. And the bridegroom is coming to get his bride. And you have no oil in your lamp. It means you can't see.

There were no street lamps at that time. You either had the ability to see Him coming or you didn't have it. And they didn't have it. And that's why they turned to the righteous and said, Give us your oil because we can't see.

Our lamps are gone out. And the righteous said, Well, it's not ours to give you. This is something deeper than somebody just putting their hands on you and imparting something to you. This is about a whole core value system of God in your heart.

This is about the very reason why you are on the earth as the bride of Christ. And they can't see. And the oil was lost because they never understood its purpose. Folks, that's the bottom line of it all.

They lost the ability to see because they never understood why the Holy Spirit is given. Or if they did understand, they rejected it. And used it for some other purpose. But I want to remind you of this one verse of Scripture.

The Holy Spirit’s Purpose: Sending Believers to the Needy

Luke 4 .18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because... And that means for this reason. That's what the word because means. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for this reason. He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.

He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted. To preach deliverance to the captives. The recovering of sight to the blind. And to set free or at liberty those that have been bruised or wounded. This is why the Spirit of God is upon us.

This is why the oil is given. This is why the Holy Spirit has come to the church. This is why you and I are here in our generation. Praise be to God. By God's grace may we be lights on a hill in this time that we're living in.

By God's grace may the truth of Christ so burn in us. That the testimony of God cannot be hidden. That there will be a testimony. It's not even necessary that it has to come from our lips. It will be in us.

There will be light in us. And people will see that light in this hour and season that we're living in. The prophet Isaiah in chapter 58. I'd like you to turn there with me if you will. Understanding the purpose of the oil.

Isaiah chapter 58 and verse 6. Isaiah, the Lord says through Isaiah. Is this not the fast that I've chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens. And let the oppressed go free. And that you break every yoke.

Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry? You bring the poor that are cast out to your house. And when you see the naked you cover him. And that you hide not from your own flesh. Now remember we're talking about the reason the oil is given.

What does he say? What is the promise of God? Then shall your light break forth as the morning. When we are walking in one heart with God. Your health will spring forth speedily. And your righteousness will go before you.

And the glory of the Lord shall be your rearward or your protection. Or your gathering up as it means. And if you draw out verse 10. Your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul. Then your light will rise in obscurity.

And your darkness will be as the noon day. He said if you do these things you'll have light. You'll see Christ as it is. You'll understand the power of God and the purposes of God. And the Lord will guide you continually.

And satisfy your soul in drought. And make fat your bones. And you will be like a watered garden. And like a spring of water whose waters fail not. Praise be to God. God says I'll put something inside of you.

It will be a fountain springing up to everlasting life. If any man thirsts let him come unto me and drink. He that believes on me as the scripture has said. Out of his inward parts his belly shall flow.

Rivers of living water. You will be this fountain. If you and I are walking in the purposes of God. If we are reaching out like Paul did. If we are willing to go through the storm. If we are willing to let God speak to us.

About not just today but our future. If we are willing to go wherever he calls us to go. So that his name might be glorified. And that people may find Christ as Lord and Savior. If you can honestly say that's in your heart today.

You're going to have a spring of water in the coming days. You're going to have enough water to put out the fire all around you. Praise God. There's going to be life in you. Life is going to flow through you.

Spiritual Sight Through Christ’s Healing

Now I want to conclude with John chapter 9. Please if you'll go there with me. And here's the question that many have. Where do I find the oil that I need in this hour to see? I need oil to see. And folks that's what this message is all about.

It's having the eyes to see Christ in the hour of his return. Where do I get this oil? How do I get this oil? John chapter 9. Let's start with verse 1. And as Jesus passed by he saw a man that was blind from his birth.

Just like you and me. Till we were born again. We're blind folks. And the disciples asked him, saying, Master who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? And Jesus answered, Neither has this man sin nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

You and I were born in sin. We were born without spiritual eyes. We were born without hope. We were born because sin was in the entire human race after Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden. But through this blindness, when God comes on us, he gives us a new set of eyes and a new heart.

And the works of God start to be known in him. I hope that's you today. I hope that's your testimony. I hope the works of God are beginning to flow in and through your life. Verse 4, he says, I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day.

The night comes when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And when he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.

And he said unto him, Go wash in the pool of Siloam, which is by interpretation sent. And he went his way therefore and washed and came seeing. It's very interesting. This pool of Siloam is a pool that was carved near the temple.

And its source was almost 1 ,800 feet away on a hilltop in a spring that was named the Virgin's Spring. And there was a tunnel made right through the rock. 1 ,700, I think, and 85 or 81 feet of rock was carved right through the mountain.

And the source of this water came through this solid rock. And it gathered in this pool in the vicinity of the temple. Now, if that's not a type of Christ in his church, I don't know what is. I mean, the life of God came through the Virgin Mary.

And he's the one who gave water out of a rock. He's the one who's described as the cornerstone of the church. He's the one who brings life into impossible places. And this man who was blind, this man couldn't see Christ.

You have to understand, he couldn't see who's even talking to him. Didn't know very much spiritually. But Jesus gave him a simple command. He said, go to this pool of Siloam. And the pool of Siloam means sent.

You'll read it there in the King James Bible. But the Greek word is apostilo. And it means to be sent on a mission. Such as to preach, to bless, to save. It talks about ministry. He said, go to the pool of sent and wash your eyes there.

And in that place you'll come seeing. You know, when Jesus spoke to the Laodicean church, I believe that's the anointing they needed. They were sitting at a table, it was all about themselves. And he could say the same thing that he said to this blind man.

The Call to Go: Ministry as the Path to Vision

If you want to see, go to the pool of sent. In other words, I've sent you to do something. Go to that pool and wash your eyes. Go to that pool, have a willingness to be sent. Have a willingness to go.

Go to human need. Go to those who are without God. Go to the widow. Go to the orphan. Go to the impoverished. Go to the poor. Go to the naked. Go to those who have no helper. Go to the confused. Go to the arrogant.