READINESS

 

I was amazed to read of the state of the world that the Saviour was born into. It had never occurred to me that He was born into such intense spiritual darkness that enveloped this earth. Upon reflection, it seems fitting that it was so for Him to acclaim and reveal His ability to disperse the powers of sin and death through His godly light.  

Another aspect of His birth that I never considered before is how the omnipotent wisdom of God had organised and orchestrated everything to perfection in readiness for His Son’s birth, leaving nothing to chance. Such a crucially important event could not be a failure in any way because the hosts of heaven depended on it.

All that was connected with the Saviour’s birth and life and ministry and resurrection and ascension to eternal glory must have conformed to what the prophets have foreseen, foreknown and foretold for four thousand years prior. From the spiritual preparations, to temporal circumstances to the ‘Jewish culture at its low ebb, and the Jewish religion but a space away from the gates of hell’ to the Roman yoke that would take Christ to the hill of Calvary. (see Bruce R. McConkie, “The Mortal Messiah Book 1, p 284-5).

It has occurred to me that the Saviour’s Second Coming with be perfectly orchestrated too. For it to be a successful triumphant return there had to be a liberation of the American continent and establishment of religious freedom, the restoration of His Church, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the building of temples, the gathering of Israel and strengthening of Zion. All this was also foretold by the prophets of old and must not be left unfulfilled.

I hear friends in the Church expressing hope that the Saviour would come tomorrow because the world is so wicked but there is still so much that needs to be fulfilled, namely the three major prophecies: the return of the Lost Tribes, the building of the New Jerusalem and the building of the Jewish temple in Israel.

Yes the world is wicked and Satan reigns supreme but this time the King of Glory must come to an established Kingdom with priesthood power at its helm and saints ready to receive Him, and when He comes, Satan will be bound and the saints will come to New Jerusalem singing songs of everlasting joy (D&C 45:66-71). All this must be in readiness but most of all we must be ready for Christ cannot come if there is no kingdom and we ARE the kingdom.

The God of Glory will reveal His light upon the earth once more and there will be no need for the sun and the moon to give light to God’s covenant people for He will be an everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19-22; D&C 133:57-58; “Journal of Discourses” 14:355-56).

Thou art our everlasting God

Jehovah, our King,

Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings

That we might never stray

And cause Thee sorrow;

And help us wait for Thee

In the dawning of tomorrow. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Light Divine by Greg Collins)