There are many indicators in the Bible that show we are in the last days before the return of Christ Jesus. And yes, every generation before us has thought they were the last generation. But never before have we seen the manifestation of the ancient prophecies as we do today.  In the words that have been asked countless times before; “Are we there yet?”  Let’s consider the words written in 2 Peter 3:3-9:
2Pe 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
First off, why am I sounding the alarm for people to repent and turn to God with all their heart? After all, I know I’m secure in my walk with God, so why should I care what everyone else does?  Well, it’s because the Holy Spirit living in me causes me to care about others, just as He cares about others.  I’d venture to say the Holy Spirit is saying, Get ready, the time is VERY NEAR. God doesn’t want ANYONE to miss out on being part of the Kingdom of God.  Yet sadly, many will, not because the Gospel of the Kingdom of God isn’t being preached, but because many choose not to listen. Oh, we still have plenty of time… Do you?  Are you sure?  Do you know exactly how much time you have?  Well, if your heart stops beating right now, you have five seconds. The point is, we are not guaranteed our next heartbeat, so the time to get right with God is not “someday”, but NOW.
Why should you be concerned about the Kingdom of God?  Well, for one reason, you should earnestly desire to be a part of it.  As a citizen of whatever country you live in, that citizenship affords you certain rights or benefits, at least I hope yours does. Those in your country illegally have no covenant, no protective rights, no part in the benefits that the citizens would enjoy.  So obviously, being a citizen has its benefits.  As does being a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
OK, sell me on the benefits of the Kingdom of God…Well, the first and foremost is being granted salvation; eternal life that never ends.  No sickness, no pain, no sorrow, no death.  Good stuff, huh?  That’s the “hereafter”, but what about “here and now”?  Citizenship in the Kingdom of God starts NOW, not after your physical life here ends.  Somewhat like a marriage; when does your married life start?  Immediately after saying “I do.”  To most, the word “hereafter” brings thoughts of someday afar off.  Well, I’m here after all the Kingdom of God has to offer, both NOW and HEREAFTER.  And thank God, I don’t have to wait until I’m dead to enjoy my citizenship in the Kingdom of God.  I can start enjoying it NOW, and so can YOU.
You’ve heard me say it often, Psalm 103:2-3 tells us, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Forgiveness of sins gets you eternal life, the “hereafter”.  The healing of all your diseases gets you something you need in the here and now, not only for your length of life, but for your enjoyment of life.  Did you know God wants you to ENJOY life? REALLY? Yep, Jesus said in John 10:10, The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  Is it “life more abundantly” if you’re miserable, depressed, worried, starving, can’t pay your bills, and generally bummed out?  No.  Contrary to what you may have been taught by “religious” people, God really DOES want you to enjoy your life. And Jesus said He came so that YOU might have life more abundantly.  Yes, YOU! REALLY NOW? Then why am I not living it? Good question, why AREN’T you?  It’s really a matter of choice, you know.  Not God’s choice, mind you, but YOURS.
When God created Adam and Eve, He put them in the beautiful Garden of Eden, surrounding them with every good thing, and even showed them where the gold was.  But their rebellion against Him cost them that “abundant life”.  God warned them, but they wouldn’t listen.  And if YOU choose not to listen, you’ll never live that “abundant life” either, even though Jesus came and paid the price in full for you.  Adam and Eve could have, should have, would have lived their lives in abundance, peace, health, and every conceivable blessing. But their choice ruined it all.  Could have, should have, would have is something we ALL can say we’ve looked back and regretted choices we’ve made in the past.  I’ve had mine, you have yours.  But the difference is, I STOPPED rebelling against God and surrendered what I thought was what I wanted, in order to line my life up with God’s word.  You know what?  If I’d known how much happier I would have been, I would have done it many years sooner.  Could have, should have, would have is fine for hindsight, and we all have good hindsight, perfect, in fact.
I’m living a life much better than I ever could have made for myself.  I’m perfectly healthy, very energetic (I’ll be 65 in a few weeks and I can outrun your 18 year old), happy, have a purpose in life, and for me, it’s getting better every day.  I don’t dread what the world events are, because I’m a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  My passport is valid, I’m just “passing through”, and my citizenship is not of this world, but of God’s Kingdom.  I’m ALREADY living “life more abundantly”, and I’m here to tell you, there’s lots more where mine came from.  God is NOT in recession, not in debt, not cutting back, nor is He laying anyone off.  Why am I telling you all this?  because I want you to JOIN ME in the Kingdom of God.  So, Come on in, there’s room for YOU and “whosoever will”.    Don’t listen to the scoffers who will miss out on God’s Kingdom.  That’s their choice, and it’s the wrong one.  And God will allow them their choice, just as He will allow you yours.  But just because they choose wrong doesn’t mean YOU have to miss out too.  Here’s the best advice you’ll ever get, and it’s straight from the LORD.  Deuteronomy 30:19-20:
Deu 30:19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 30:20  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
We’re in the last days.  Let’s not waste them! There are multitudes who don’t yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior, who aren’t living “life more abundantly” yet.  I told you, will YOU tell someone about Him?