Chapter Eleven/Is Your Name in the Book of Life? - Coming "as at Thief"

 Jesus' warning that he would come "as a thief" reaches down into modern times. It had a special application for Christians who survived into the Lord's day. Soon after 1914, there was a fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy: "Suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,' Jehovah of armies said. (Malachi3:1; Revelation 1:10) As a messenger Jesus came to inspect and judge those who claim to be his followers. (1 Peter 4:17) At that time in 1918, Christendom was embroiled in the shedding of blood in World War I and was completely dead, spiritually speaking. Even true Christians, who before the war had preached so zealously, went through a time of spiritual drowsiness.  Some of their prominent elders were pulled into prison, and the preaching activity almost stopped. When Jehovah's spirit awakened these Christians the following year, not all were ready. Some, like the foolish virgins of Jesus' parable, were not equipped spiritually for the privilege of serving Jehovah. Happily, though, there were many who, like the discreet virgins, had heeded Jesus' warning: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour." - MATTHEW 25:1-13. 

Next time: Chapter Eleven/Is Your Name in the Book of Life? 

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