40th day of the Omer on the Hebrew Calendar is 25 IYYAR, it was on Thursday, May 30th.
– Divine Gaps and Pauses – בהשהייה
The 40th day also marked the day of Yeshua/Jesus’ Ascension into the Heavens.
Shamayim – שָׁמַיִם
Strongs 8064: Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-mah’-yim)
Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, He began to ascend into heaven.
The account of Yeshua/Jesus’ Ascension is found in Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9-11.
It is plain from Scripture that it was a literal, bodily return to heaven.
The Ascension is a mystery of faith, just like Yeshua/Jesus’ Resurrection, with which it is closely associated. The event is mentioned briefly in Mark (16:19) and Luke (24:50-53).
“This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Messiah, Ascension of, and as the forerunner of His people. Hebrews 6:20
He was the first fruit.
This event occurred 40 days
which is the 40th day of the Omer count to Shavuot (Total 50 days – Pentecost)
There is some significance to certain numbers in the Bible, however we should be discerning about trying to interpret their meanings. God did have reasons for using certain numbers over and over in the Bible, but only He may know the true reasons.
The number 40 is used 159 times. There is a general consensus among scholars that it is a number symbolizing trial, testing, or judgment. 40 also represents transition or change; the concept of renewal; a new beginning. The number 40 has the power to lift a spiritual state. This seems evident in a number of places in the Bible, however, it also is used for more than that.
Every time one finds the number forty in Torah, its inner meaning is the ascent from one level to the next higher one. (Ascension!)
The letter Mem is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, Alphabet. The letter Mem has the numeric value of forty (40).
The Mem represents the age, or time of completion.
The pictograph for Mem looks like a wave of water, whereas the classical Hebrew script (Ketav Ashurit) is constructed of a Kaf with a Vav beside it: Interesting note is that the gematria for these components equals the value for the Divine Name.
Below is a list of the ways it could be taken as a number signifying trial, testing, judgment, transition or change, the concept of renewal, or a new beginning.
Strongs #40 is Abimelek- Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-mel’-ek) – אֲבִימֶלֶךְ – meaning ‘father is king’!
When God destroyed every living thing on the Earth by flood, it rained 40 days and 40 nights (Gen 7:4,12,17).
Three men in the Bible fasted 40 days and 40 nights: Moses (Ex 34:28)(Deut 9:9,18,25)(Deut 10:10), Elijah (1 Kin 19:8), and Jesus (Mt 4:2)(Lk 4:2)(Mk 1:13).
Because Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, God condemned them to wander in the “wilderness” for 40 years (Num 14:33-34)(Num 32:11-13)(Deut 8:2)(Josh 5:6).
(God also kept their clothing and sandals from wearing out for the whole 40 years: Deut 29:5, Deut 8:4.)The Israelites were given manna in the desert for 40 years to “test” and “humble” them (Ex 16:35)(Deut 8:3,16)
When scourging someone, they could not receive more than 40 lashes (Deut 25:3)(2 Cor 11:24).
The Israelites were in captivity to the Philistines for 40 years for doing evil (Judg 13:1).
Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days and nights (1 Sam 17:16), until David defeated him.
Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days to “bear the iniquity” of Judah’s sins (Ezek 4:6).
God proclaimed judgment against Egypt, saying it would be desolate for 40 years (Ezek 29:10-12).
God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent or be overthrown (Jonah 3:4).
Other References:
After the flood waters had receded, and the tops of the mountains were visible, Noah waited another 40 days to open the window of the Ark (Gen 8:6).
Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah as his wife (Gen 25:20).
Esau, Isaac’s son, also got married when he was 40 (Gen 26:34).
Embalming took 40 days in early Bible times (Gen 50:3).
Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (twice!) (Ex 24:18)(Ex 34:28)(Deut 9:9,11,18,25)(Deut 10:10).
The spies that Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land were there for 40 days (Num 13:25)(Num 14:34).
One of those spies was Joshua, and he was forty years old when he went (Josh 14:7).
Moses died when he was 120 years old (Deut 34:7). His life can be divided into 3 sections of 40 years: (first 40) being born and growing up in Pharaoh’s house in Egypt (Acts 7:20-23), (middle 40) fleeing to Midian after killing the Egyptian, and living there for 40 years (Acts 7:29-30), (last 40) returning to Egypt, the exodus, and the events that followed (Acts 7:36)(Ex 7:7).
Aaron died 40 years after the Israelites had left Egypt (Num 33:38).
Three different times in Judges, the land had rest for 40 years (Judg 3:11)(Judg 5:31)(Judg 8:28).
Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Sam 4:18).
Ishbosheth became king over Israel when he was 40 years old (2 Sam 2:10).
Three kings reigned for 40 years: David (1 Kin 2:11)(2 Sam 5:4-5), Solomon (1 Kin 11:42), and Joash (2 Chr 24:1)(2 Kin 12:1).
(Saul may also be a part of this group [Acts 13:21], but this is controversial [1 Sam 13:1].)The 10 lavers in the Temple each held “40 baths” (about 230 gal.) of water (1 Kin 7:38).
The time period between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension was 40 days (Acts 1:3).
The book of Exodus has 40 chapters.
The average length of a woman’s pregnancy is 40 weeks.
In other denominations observance of Lent is the 40 days before easter (not counting Sundays).
So the meaning of trial, testing, or judgment could be aligned with the Omer as days of self spiritual preparation. A gap in time, a season of a divine pause?
As a point of reference today, most technical equipment and those with Remote Control units often have a pause or hold button that will suspend action, the motor, the motion.
Or to stop the DVD video and/or replay the one we are watching. It is convenient and on our time schedule then when we are ready we continue to fit in with our plans.
We are often put
on the phone, which can be frustrating while music is played.
The Omer is like a spiritual pause.
When the disciples were
on hold – ( בהשהייה ) –
because He had said to them –
wait – שְׁבוּ־ – šə·ḇū-
in Jerusalem
after the 49 days of the Omer, it was Shavuot and the Ruach HaKodesh came.
Then the pause was removed and the command to
go – לְכ֣וּ –lə-ḵū
replaced the command to .
wait – שְׁבוּ־ – šə·ḇū- .
It was set in as an appointed time of preparation and an Annual rehearsal for all the generations prior to Messiah appearance.
This was a very long divine pause/gap, from it’s initiation and institution at Sinai to its fulfillment in Jerusalem. God’s timing and ways and thoughts are not like our human ones.
We often forget that after His resurrection, first fruits; the risen Messiah was seen by many. Was He with His disciples for all of the 40 days, almost 6 weeks?
Was He still teaching them in His resurrected body?
The first written reference to the resurrection is in 1Cor 15:3-12; Here is context:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter/Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Read verse 6 again…..how many?
he appeared to Peter/Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
It is amazing that nowhere in the 4 gospels is there a record of an appearance to more than 500 brothers and sisters at one time. (The reference to brethren always included the women and children.)
The location where Yeshua/Jesus met with the disciples in the last chapter of Matthew was in Galilee on a mountain top.
The particular mountain was not specified, although according to tradition there were two possible locations, Mt. Tabor and Mt. Hermon.
Mt. Tabor (above) is in the Jezreel Valley in southern Galilee.
Mt. Hermon in northern Galilee rises to over 9,000 feet above sea level. Either location would have provided a safe place away from the watchful eyes of the authorities for a group of 500 or more subversive (rebel lions!) peasants to gather.
Interesting to note that the base of Mt Hermon was known as the gates of hell, because it was a pagan altar to Pan.
The followers of Yeshua/Jesus climbed the mountain and the risen Messiah appeared to them, and what did the disciples see?
Our scripture doesn’t give us much of a clue, just one verse 17: And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Why did some doubt? Whatever His followers saw that day must not have been totally convincing because this indicates that despite His appearance there was still some room for honest doubt, enough to be recorded. Maybe some of them simply couldn’t believe their eyes and ears; even though Yeshua/Jesus appeared to them and spoke to them, still they doubted.
There is not much written in the Scriptures of what he taught them or did during that one month in 10 days.
However He was bridging the gap, the pause, as they counted the Omer to Shavuot/Pentecost.
Was He with them daily in Jerusalem as they met in the upper room?
We do know He was seen in Galilee.
On the morning of the Resurrection, the angel tells the women to tell the disciples that Messiah would go before them into Galilee.
“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (Mt 28:7)
After seeing the angel on their way to tell the men, the risen Messiah met them…
9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 28:10
We might think that it would be better to remain in Jerusalem. Obviously in the city, He would have more witnesses to the resurrection.
Why did Yeshua/Jesus chose Galilee?
Maybe because Galilee served every purpose that Jerusalem couldn’t!
It was a call to faith.
Yeshua/Jesus had been warning them, prophesying that He would be killed but would rise from the dead (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34, Luke 9:22).
This would be an act of faith for them to go to Galilee purposefully to meet Him there. They would of necessity have to believe the eye-witness testimony of the women who reported that they saw Yeshua/Jesus risen from the dead.
Furthermore, they would also have to believe that Yeshua/Jesus was really going to appear to them. The location away from Jerusalem, would help to separate them from that highly emotional environment which might be seen as a place where false identifications or hallucinations might proliferate.
Instead they had time to calm their emotions as they traveled the miles to Galilee because if they were really going to meet Yeshua/Jesus in Galilee it would be the real person and not be any mirage or trick.
Those who had made the pilgrimage for Pesach/Passover would be returning home. A remote mountain in Galilee would be a good location to meet with His disciples without chance of interruption, because He wanted to show Himself openly to all His assembled disciples. The Jews would not have permitted them to assemble in Judæa. Another reason may have been that this location would allow Yeshua/Jesus to easily choose those who were to be witnesses of His resurrection.
We saw in a previous post that the Jews of that time believed that the soul of the departed hovered around the tomb for several days after death. If Yeshua/Jesus met the disciples in Galilee then there would be no suspicion that the post-resurrection appearances were of this kind. (Cf. Edersheim, Life, II, 631). Nobody could claim that the disciples only saw Yeshua/Jesus’ ghost hovering around His tomb.
This choice in location showed His wisdom because Galilee was home. He was well aware of the disciples emotional and psychological state. Just as the two on the Emmaus Road, they were broken and in despair, probably even frightened.
Judas had met a horrible end, Thomas was alone with his doubts and depression, many were confused.
His goal was to regroup them and help rebuild their faith, bringing the fulness of His shalom to their shattered hopes.
His choice of home is echoed in the prodigal sons return home and also today when young people mess up their lives and need to know some semblance of normality and hope, going back home is their best option. Here they will most likely find that security, love and a sense of belonging/family stability that they might live more safely among their own relations …
Yeshua/Jesus was aware that taking them back to Galilee would be a positive move because in Galilee, Yeshua/Jesus had preached, and performed very many miracles there.
This would help remind them of their time with Him, the miracles, casting out demons, healing the sick, preaching to the multitudes, the victories and the successes. Taking them out of the hostile environment of Jerusalem; which was a place of conflict, where the attacks of the Jewish leaders were relentless and it was the place of turmoil, suffering and death.
The meeting in Galilee would be a more calm and friendly place; which would make it easier for them to see their new apostolic calling: to take the gospel message of the kingdoms to the uttermost ends of the earth.
These may be some reasons why He chose Galilee, because He knew best and has always known what He is doing.
The most important question is, do we believe He knows what He is doing and will we trust Him?
He does not say they should not see Him before: for they saw Him – all but Thomas – that very evening. All of them saw Him eight days later; and both times were before they went into Galilee: but this He said, to put them in mind of what He had promised them, Matthew 26:32. Also to confirm the words of the angel; and which might serve for a confirmation of the truth of these things, both to the women, and to the disciples, when they observed the exact agreement between Jesus/Yeshua’s words, and those of the angel.
Go tell my brethren;
This was significant in that He was meaning those who were not His kinsmen according to the flesh, but His disciples, who were in this relation to Him, as all the elect of God are.
Not only through His incarnation, He being their “Goel”, their near kinsman, and Redeemer, and of the same nature, flesh, and blood with them, and like unto them in all things, excepting sin. This was rather on account of their divine adoption, to which they were predestinated, and which they received through His redemption, and under the witness of the Ruach:
“And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brothers! his disciples For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:49,50
The disciples stood in an unique relationship to Messiah, who is the eternal Son of God, and heir of all things; and that relationship was in Him now He was raised from the dead, and had all glory given to Him. Here He declared this relationship, even when they had so recently forsaken Him;
Go, tell my brethren indicates His continued affection for them and their fellowship with Him in His glory.
It gives rise to the question did he visit His mother and brothers and sisters?? We know in 1Cor 15:7 Then he appeared to James,
But no reference to the family.
Mount of Olives –
A place of goings and comings.
Jesus/Yeshua explains that God has given Him all authority in heaven and on earth. “Go, therefore,” Jesus urges them, “and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” Matt 28:18-20.
While the disciples are still in Galilee, Jesus/Yeshua directs them to return to Jerusalem. When meeting with them in the city, He says: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which you heard from me; for John, indeed, baptized with water, but you will be baptized with holy spirit not many days after this.”—Acts 1:4, 5. exactly 10 more days after His Ascension.
Later Jesus meets again with his apostles. He leads “them out as far as Bethany,” which is on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. (Luke 24:50)
The apostles are on the Mount of Olives with the resurrected Messiah when He begins to rise heavenward.
Soon a cloud obscures him from their sight. After His resurrection, Messiah had materialized a supernatural fleshly body. But now He dematerializes the body He used on this occasion, and He ascends to heaven ‘bodily’ as a spirit creature. (1 Cor. 15:44, 50;1 Peter 3:18)
As the faithful apostles are gazing after him, “two men in white garments” appear beside them. These are materialized angels, who ask:
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?
This Jesus who was taken up from you into the sky will come in the same manner as you have seen him going into the sky.”
Acts 1:10, 11.
Yeshua/Jesus left the earth without a huge public display, His faithful followers being the only observers.
Does this indicate that He will return “in the same manner”—without public fanfare, with only his faithful followers discerning his presence in Kingdom power?
Like the thief in the night? It’s the second coming that every eye shall see Him not when He comes for His Bride/Challah.
On the top of the mount of Olives are the Church of the Ascension and the Chapel of the Ascension, both claiming to be the spot from where Jesus ascended to heaven.
The Chapel of the Ascension is actually neither a chapel nor a church but a mosque run by Muslims and a myth was made up about finding on the two footprints, which they said were made when Jesus pressed into the earth before leaping into the air.
A building was built over it and Muslim men who concede that they are Muslim only when directly questioned, charge an entrance fee to unsuspecting Christians under a sign that labels their mosque, “CHAPEL OF THE ASCENSION.
What does the Bible say about the spot from which Yeshua/Jesus ascended to heaven?
The Bible simply says that it was on the “mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.”
Worth noting that “a Sabbath day’s journey” isn’t the distance to be covered by walking for a day. It is a specific distance of 2,000 cubits, equal to 3,000 feet, 1,000 yards or 914.4 metres.
So the location of Jesus’ ascension could be anywhere on the Mount of Olives, which is a mountain ridge that runs about 1,000 yards east of Jerusalem.
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. (Acts 1:6-12)
It seems as if we really are in a divine Gap/ Pause that has lasted over 2000 years! They all thought, including Paul, that His return was imminent.
God’s pauses are longer than ours; many of His gaps are extended beyond our life times and even generations.
We are still
on hold
since the time of Jesus/Yeshua reading in the synagogue from the scroll of Isaiah.
When He paused, at 61:2 saying, today this is fulfilled in your hearing.
He rolled up the scroll never finished the portion….
At the end of this divine gap when the pause is removed, the heavens themselves will roll up like a scroll as the rest of the verse will be fulfilled.
Is His second coming connected in some way to Shavuot/Pentecost feast?… maybe?
What we do know is He is returning for His bride – כַּלָה – kallah
Phonetic Spelling: (kal-law’) Strongs 3618
we are to be ready looking for Him.
Our prime focus must be on being spiritually prepared. which is the message of the parable of the 10 virgins. Having our oil lamps filled. The Shavuot promise was completed; the oil, the spirit, the ruach was poured out. Be-being filled, we cannot afford to relax spiritually. We know not the day or the hour and when we least expect Him…..He will come.
The signs of the times, of the return of the King listed in Matthew and Luke, are all around us and are increasing.
The long gap almost complete?
Is the pause button on the age of grace, the times of the Gentiles being fulfilled and coming to an end?
In an hour we think not …. are we ready?
Completion…. Is the prophetic scripture in Isaiah 61 verse 3 about to resume?
The only reason the end of the age has gone on so long is due to the patience of God. Our heavenly father is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth James 5:7
Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently until it receives the early and latter rain. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.
Any unripe and premature fruit are bitter and hard, that’s exactly what James was referring to when he spoke of waiting for the precious fruit of the earth; except the fruit he spoke of was people. He is waiting for the ‘precious fruit of the earth.’
In the same way as a farmer patiently waits for the early and later rains to fall and for the harvest to ripen and be reaped, Yeshua/Jesus wants us to understand that He is waiting for ‘precious fruit.’ Every man, woman and child is precious to the Lord.
God’s promises are for us personally, but they are also for everyone who will believe. Because of this, God delays what all believers long for.
God is not slow, but patient.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God is not limited by hours in a day or by the number of days in a year. 2 Peter 3:8 says that to God, “A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day.”
It is a beyond human patience – it’s the long suffering, compassionate love of a parent waiting for the child to grow up and do what they know to do. To fall in line with the program and stop being wayward children doing their own thing.
It’s time for us to grow up into the fullness of the likeness of the Son He said for us to emulate and until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.
Hebrews 6:1; Ephesians 4:13-15,
It’s time to make our heavenly father smile, as we wait eagerly watching for His return; for the pause is coming to an end and the end of Is. 61:1 and verse 2 is about to begin
And all through to verse 11… righteousness and praise will spring forth before all the nations.
Isaiah 53:6. We all like sheep have gone astray.
Isaiah 56:6 seek the Lord while he may be found call while he is near
The day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn Matthew 5:4
he will give beauty for ashes and oil of joy for mourning
The garment the prayer shawl/tallit, of praise instead of the spirit of infirmity.
This word in Strongs 3544 in Hebrew is KEHEH – כֵּהֶה
Phonetic Spelling: (kay-heh’)
that truly means to be pale, dull, faint or dim is used as an expression for feeling weak, sickly, so they could be called Oaks of righteousness the planting of the Lord so he would be glorified.
(They are called Oaks, as the opposite of weak and sickly.)
Luke 4:18, 19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor……..
There He stopped and declared it was fulfilled in their hearing.
Indicating that He was the substance of which the ritual had been merely a type foreshadowing His Coming.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me “The Spirit of Jehovah is upon me” – The Septuagint, Vulgate, and St. Luke, ( Luke 4:18;), and a MS., and two old editions omit the word אדני Adonai, the Lord; which was probably added to the text through the superstition of the Jews, to prevent the pronunciation of the word יהוה Jehovah following.
The following is yet to be completed…
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Ver. 3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion. Isaiah 61:4-11 King James Version (KJV)
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8 For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
While we wait and we are on HOLD…
So it would seem we are in a divine
The anniversary of Messiahs Ascension has passed once again and the Gap to Shavuot is closing fast. One of these days the pause button will be released and the play will continue to the fulfillment of the end of this age.
What remains for us, is to be clothed in the armor of light and 
look up.. for our redemption draws nigh.
Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). Rom.13:11
And He is NOT slack concerning His promises…
