Fall 1981
Occupy ‘Till I Come
Wade Taylor
President, Pinecrest

There is a principle in the Scripture concerning the coming of the Lord. That is, we must spiritually discern and respond to His comings in our daily walk that He may prepare our lives for His coming in that day. The Scripture tells us in Luke 12:37 that He is coming for a people who are actively watching for Him. “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.”

This attitude of watching must be resident in the hearts of those to whom the Lord would come and reveal Himself. Hebrews 9:28 tells us that unto those who look for Him, He will appear the second time without sin unto salvation. This verse implies that there is more than a one-time coming of the Lord to His people. He desires to visit our lives and prepare us for the hour ahead.

In Matthew 24:42, Jesus tells us: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” But in I Thessalonians 5:4-5, Paul writes that that day should not overtake us as a thief, for we are children of the light. Does this mean we are only to begin watching when we know the time of His coming is at hand? No, for then it would be too late. He is coming for a Bride who already made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

We are warned in Matthew 24:37-39 not to be found in ignorance of God’s dealings by continuing in our normal pattern of life unaware of Him. But we must be spiritually perceptive and awake at all times that we might discern His comings in our midst and in our individual lives. As we respond to his comings in times of refreshing and blessing, our hearts will be in tune with Him in the hour of His return.

Jesus said, “Occupy till I come.” In the midst of our activity, we are to ever look for His comings. Then recognizing His presence and turning aside from activity, we can move with Him in the purpose of His visitation. As we are able to respond to His comings now, we will be ready for His coming in that day. “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

He is waiting for a people who will respond to His desire for intimate personal fellowship in our present daily circumstances. Listen for the sound of His comings.