GOODNEWSLETTERNumber 410 February 29, 2012LEAP YEAR"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lordas a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," 2 Peter 3:8.God has a time period in His 7000 year plan; which, in seen in the week that Peter refers to above. Six days have almost closed and, when the Seventh day of God'splan starts, we will begin when the millennium kingdom, the 1000 years that JESUS REIGNS ON EARTH. So, there's not much time before Jesus returns. Amen? Amen!When we view the calendar that men have created, an extra day had to be inserted that comes every four years. It's today and it's called LEAP YEAR. Wikipedia.com says:"Although most years of the modern calendar have 365 days, a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. Every four years, during which an extra 24 hours haveaccumulated, one extra day is added to keep the count coordinated with the sun's apparent position."
Now, I recognize that most of us are too critical but, it seems to me that most people think of the LORD about every four years; just like LEAP YEAR. They, sort of, think in terms of making us lost timesome day; even when Jesus comes, they think. Yet, I still invite people to study and think about eternity. I give them cards and shake their hands, daily. While, they are always friendly, I never see themin church.
Some respond with a smile, but seem to always have a "scheme" or, try to sell me something. Either that, or they attempt to enlist me in what they are doing. However, most, are just too busy doing their own thing,engrossed with their ideas of life. They don't have time. So, off they go, leaping into what is in their life, giving little thought about eternity.
A reply that I often hear is, 'I go to church; at least twice a year. You know, Easter and Christmas'?' I hear about the good things they say they feel on those TWO days of the year. But, if two times a year makes themfeel good, what would they feel like going 52 times a year? It would be Great, right? RIGHT !
If LEAP YEAR makes up the lapse of time - that 6 hours, and adds another day every four years then, let's see how that works within the creation of man in a year's time. If a person goes to church 2 times a year; thatmeans 50 Sundays remain each year. In order to make up the time missed, let's multiply it out, using the same formula as is used to determine LEAP YEAR.So, a person lives within the span that God gives him in Psalms 90:10 (70 to 80 years of life). He's about 73 years old. But, he goes to church only twice a year. That means that 50 weeks are missed. Thus. if we multiply73 by the 50 times he doesn't go, we see that 73 X's 50, equals 365 days. The math works out perfectly.
We have to drop the zero at the end of our multiplying; but, we are working out a spiritual LEAP YEAR, remember. And, consequentially, when one misses 50 Sundays a year, he is leaping into some real eternal difficulty.The TIME WILL BE MADE UP – it has to be made up, according to Scripture. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together" (He 10:25).
And, when a person puts God on the back burner, he will spend time making up what he refused to do when he lived freely on earth. After Jesus returns, we don't see a A PRETTY PICTURE for such people in Scripture."In hell, he lifted up his eyes...," Luke 16:23; or, we read: "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness..." (Matt. 25:30). And, even members of churches who fail to redeem their time and forget their purpose ofattending church will be lacking on that day. They attend, perhaps. But Jesus said, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Rev 3:4). Yes! These are church members in the bookof Revelation.
What makes us LEAP or JUMP FOR JOY, today? Is it that God's plan is almost coming to earth with a KING to rule? Are you so excited that you can't wait? I hope so! It is unfortunate when we present God's love to peopleand get the response we find in the book of Acts when Paul reasoned about righteousness ... and judgment to come with Felix, a Roman procurator (A.d. '51-58). Felix answered like he lived today. "...go thy way for now;when I have a more convenient time I will call for you," Acts 24:25. Felix "... hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him" (24:26). Festus succeeded Felix and, we have no writings about Felixserving Jesus or trusting in His salvation. How sad!