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  DO NOT THINK HIS RETURN WILL BE DELAYED
  by Stephen Kaung
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Summary: This sermon emphasizes the urgency of being prepared for the
imminent return of the Lord, highlighting the importance of repentance,
readiness, and living a holy life. It draws parallels to the time of
Noah and the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the need for
vigilance and spiritual readiness. The speaker urges listeners to
examine their hearts, deny themselves, and follow the leading of the
Holy Spirit to ensure they are not left behind when the Lord returns.

Duration: 55:14 Topics: "Preparation for Christ's Return", "Spiritual Vigilance"
Scripture References: 2 Peter 3:8, Matthew 24:37, Matthew 25:1, Luke 12:45, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 21:1, Matthew 24:44, Romans 14:12

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DESCRIPTION
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This sermon emphasizes the urgency of being prepared for the imminent
return of the Lord, highlighting the importance of repentance,
readiness, and living a holy life. It draws parallels to the time of
Noah and the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the need for
vigilance and spiritual readiness. The speaker urges listeners to
examine their hearts, deny themselves, and follow the leading of the
Holy Spirit to ensure they are not left behind when the Lord returns.

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CONTENT
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Will you please turn to 2nd Peter, 2nd Peter, chapter 3, where it reads
from verse 8, But let not this one thing be hidden from you, beloved,
that one day with the Lord ends as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some account
of delay, but is longsuffering towards you, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord
will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing
noise, and the elements burning with heat shall be dissolved, and the
earth and the works in it shall be burned.

All these things then begin to be dissolved. What are ye to be in holy
conversation, in godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the
day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be
dissolved, and the elements burning with heat shall melt. But according
to the promise, we await the new heavens, and the new heavens, and the
new earth, querying to our righteousness.

Shall we have a word of prayer? Dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for
being so merciful to us, in allowing us to meet together this morning.
Lord, we know thou art present here with us. We do look to thee to speak
to each and every one of us, to prepare us for thy imminent return.

Lord, if thou shalt come now, will it be by thy mercy and grace that we
all will be raptured and to be with thee? There is nothing better than
that. But oh Lord, if some of us should be left behind, how grateful,
how tragic it will be. So dear Lord, we do pray that thou will speak to
each one of us in such a way that when thou shalt return, none will be
left behind.

But by the mercy of God, we will all be raptured and to be with thee in
thy glorious kingdom. We commit this time into your hands. Trust thy
Holy Spirit to do the work in thy great name.

Amen. Dear brothers and sisters, we remember, before the Lord returned
to heaven, he said to his disciples, he said, I'm going to prepare a
place for you. And then I will return and receive you to myself.

This is what the Lord has told his disciples before his return to
heaven. Two thousand years have passed, and the Lord seems to be
delayed. So the question is very urgent.

Why is it we know the Lord's heart? We know how he must be very anxious
to return, to receive his own, to himself. But why is it for so long,
and the Lord still seems to be delayed? Dear brothers and sisters, I
believe it must be wondering in our hearts, why is it so? The only
answer is because his own people are not ready. It cannot be that our
Lord does not want to return.

The only answer is his people have delayed him. But Lord, but dear
brothers and sisters, after two thousand years, as we read the
scriptures, we know one thing, that we are living at the end of this
age. We believe this age is coming to an end.

We believe that we are living at the verge of his return. So it is a
very important question to each and every one of us. Are we ready for
his return? The Bible tells us at the time of Noah, the Lord revealed to
Noah that the age will come.

And he asked Noah to prepare an ark. Noah spent a hundred and twenty
years in preparing the ark. And you can imagine while he was preparing
the ark, which was an unusual thing, because the earth has never had any
rain, any disasters of that kind.

So while he was preparing the ark, people must have come and inquired,
what are you doing? And thank God Noah used this opportunity to preach
the gospel to the people, telling them that the disaster is coming. Be
prepared. Receive the Lord Jesus entering into the ark when the ark is
ready.

But people just laughed at him. There is no such thing. But as we all
know today, that after the ark was ready, God told Noah and his family
of eight to enter into the ark.

And the Lord closed the door. When this happened, suddenly rain began to
fall. Brothers and sisters, we can imagine when this happened, how
people will flock to the door and say, Noah, open the door for us.

But Noah said, I cannot do it, because it was God who closed the door.
And the flood came upon the earth, and we know what happened. Now in
Matthew chapter 24, the Lord tells us, as in the days of Noah, sure
shall be his coming.

Two people were grinding the mill, and we know that it is morning. Two
people are working in the field, and that tells us it is in the daytime.
Two people were sleeping, and it must be night.

Not because there have been six people. No. Only two people.

But it shows us that the earth is round. In some place, it is early
morning, when the women should be grinding the mill. In other place, at
the same time, it must be daytime, when people will be working in the
field.

And at the same time, in another place, it must be night, people have
been sleeping. Not that there are six people. There are only two people.

These two people represent the Christians, so-called, that will be
living at the time on the verge of the coming of the Lord. And brothers
and sisters, we are living at such a time. But we all know that the
number of the church is twelve.

Here you find the two. But where are the other ten? Now, as you read on
in Matthew 25, we are told about the ten virgins. The ten virgins, they
were Christians.

They have the torch. They are going out to meet the Lord. But because
the Lord seems to be delayed, they all fell to sleep.

And actually, these ten represents all the Christians throughout the
ages. They were all waiting for the Lord's return. From the first
century onward.

And because the Lord seems to have delayed, they fell asleep. That is to
say, they died. So the ten virgins in Matthew 25 represents all the
Christians throughout the centuries that have died before the coming of
the Lord.

And what is left are the two. So you have the perfect number. The number
of twelve.

Now, brothers and sisters, that shows us how we are at this very
juncture. Many Christians have died in the Lord. And we, who are His,
are the living ones.

But the day is coming when the Lord shall return. And those who are
alive will be taken. And later on, those who have died in Christ will
all be raised.

As the Bible says, until we shall all meet Him in the air. And that will
be the period of judgment. As some people told us, one day, suddenly,
those who are still living, they will be driving.

And you can imagine, suddenly, the drivers disappear. What chaos it must
be on this earth. But those who are taken by the Lord, they are the
people who are waiting for the Lord.

You know, outwardly, you couldn't see the difference. Those who are
working in the morning, they both work. Those who are working in the
field, they both labor.

Those who are sleeping, they both sleep. I often tell people, don't be
afraid to go to sleep. Go to sleep tonight.

Rest up. But even if you are sleeping, should the Lord come, you will be
taken if you have been ready. Imagine what will happen when suddenly
people are driving, they disappear.

What chaos it must be. Imagine suddenly people who are sleeping
disappear. Why? Because the Lord has come.

So brothers and sisters, do not imagine that they stay still far away
from us. If you still that kind of thought, I'm afraid, when this shall
happen, you will be left behind. So may I warn you, brothers and
sisters, according to the Scripture, we are living on the verge of the
return of the Lord.

The Lord may return at any moment. It is my wishful thinking that we are
meeting here this morning. The Lord returns.

Suddenly the whole place was empty. Thank God for that. But I'm afraid
if this should happen at this moment, now do not think it cannot happen
at this moment.

I truly believe that this can happen to us because we are on the verge
of the coming of the Lord. If this should happen at this moment,
brothers and sisters, can you just sit here as if nothing will happen?
So it is the burden of my heart. Brothers and sisters, we are living on
the verge of the coming of the Lord.

It is a thrilling time, but it is also a terrible time. To those who
have been waiting for the Lord, it is a glorious time. But those who
have wasted their life on earth after they have believed in the Lord
Jesus, it will be a great, because the Bible tells us they will be in
outer darkness when gnashing of teeth.

In other words, because they are saved, not because they are unsaved,
they are left behind. They are saved, but because they have been saved,
so they knew what had happened. And it was a great regret in their
lives.

Gnashing of teeth means greatly regretting what they had done. So dear
brothers and sisters, if we do not want to regret, better be prepared.
What happened to the bad servant? He thought the Lord will not come so
soon.

So he began to eat and drink and enjoy his life. He even beat his fellow
servants. But suddenly the Lord shall return.

And what happened to the bad servant? The Bible tells us he will be cut
into two. He will be cast into outer darkness. He will be left behind of
the kingdom age.

The glorious kingdom, a thousand years ruled with Christ Jesus. And that
would happen to the bad servant. This is what the Scripture has told us.

So dear brothers and sisters, on the one hand, we thank God that we are
living at this time. But on the other hand, we do sense the seriousness
of our time. Are you being ready? If the Lord shall return at this
moment, imagine one day all over this world, suddenly, some who are
driving on the road disappear.

What chaotic situation it would happen at this moment. But the Bible
tells us this is exactly what will happen. Those who are ready for Him
will be taken.

But those who will be left behind, the Bible says, they will be cast
into outer darkness with nation of teeth, that is, of great repentance.
So brothers and sisters, you can choose whether you want to repent now
or you want to repent afterwards. You are blessed if you repent now.

If you, at this moment, give yourself to the Lord and say, Lord, search
my heart. See if there's any evil within us. Cleanse me with the
precious blood that we may be ready for you at any moment.

Brothers and sisters, you will be the blessed one. But what if you are
careless? You may enjoy yourself today. You may comfort yourself by
saying that, by the grace of God, I'm safe.

So if I'm safe, I'm forever safe. So let me eat and drink and enjoy my
life today. You think you're wise, but how foolish you have been.

So dear brothers and sisters, we are living at this kind of time. You
cannot afford to be careless. Be prepared.

The Lord may come at any moment. He has waited long enough. I always
feel, I always hope that he will come back at my time.

I remember Brother Nee told us when she was walking with Miss Barber,
and you may have heard, Miss Barber was one who really loved the Lord.
He came to China to preach the gospel. A number of young people really
held by him, and Watchman Nee was one of them.

One day, he and Watchman Nee was walking together, and as they turned
the corner, he told Watchman Nee, what? And when we turned the corner,
we met the Lord. She is a person who has been waiting for the Lord all
her life. She came to China when she was young as a missionary.

She taught in a ghost school, but because of her love for the Lord, the
students came to him, and he caused his fellow teacher jealousy. So they
accused her of some crime that she did, which she never did, but she was
one who did not want to defend herself. So she was sent back to England.

Under disgrace, but he was silent before the Lord, and the Lord
vindicated him. After he was vindicated, he was at that time meeting
with Penton, D. M. Penton in London. D. M. Penton was one who loved the
Lord and greatly used by the Lord, especially in prophecy, but he felt
the Lord wanted her to return to China.

She came back to China not being sent by any missionary group. She came
by faith, but her fellow missionaries in China did not receive her. So
she went to live in a small place, and then she just gave herself to
prayer.

It was her prayer that attracted a number of college students. Brother
Lee was one of them. And these college students were gratefully helped
by her.

Her tomb was sealed in Fuchao. He served the Lord through her life. And
Brother Lee used to tell us how he was helped by her.

You know, at that time, Brother Lee was in college, a young man who
loved the Lord, but full of human zeal. He often quarreled with his
fellow workers because one of his fellow workers was older, five years
older than him. And he always felt that he was right.

So he went to Miss Barber, trying to vindicate himself. But Miss Barber
always tells, he is five years older than you are. Obey the older one.

And Brother Lee used to tell us, at that time, he was so frustrated.
Because I was five years younger, I had to obey the one who is wrong.
And because he is five years older than I am, he did not understand at
that time.

But thank God, gradually, he learned the lesson. So, brothers and
sisters, I feel very deeply impressed that probably when we turn the
corner, we find the Lord. This is the way we are living at this moment.

So dear brothers and sisters, we thank God for giving us this
opportunity that we may come together to prepare ourselves for the Lord.
Are you ready? Do you still think that there still will be time? You can
enjoy yourself because you are safe anyway. But you do not know how much
you have lost.

You will lose the kingdom rule of a thousand years with the Lord. You
will be in darkness, weeping, regretting for what you have done. But
thank God, he will never desert you.

Even you may have deserted him, he will never desert you. But that does
not mean you will never be punished. You will be punished.

So the Bible tells us very clearly, during the kingdom age of a thousand
years, when the overcomers of the church will rule with Christ from
heaven to earth, those who are defeated, Christians, real Christians,
but who have used their life on earth loosely, they will be in utter
darkness, suffering, weeping, regretting. So dear brothers and sisters,
which will you choose? Will you choose to repent now and be ready for
the Lord? Or will you choose to enjoy your remaining life, short period,
but lose the kingdom glory? I think you're wiser. So dear Heavenly
Father, dear brothers and sisters, I urgently beg you, be ready for the
Lord.

Do not think that his coming will be delayed. Most likely, if by the
grace of God, we will see him coming back during our lifetime. This is
the most blessed thing.

This is the thing that we are waiting for. But are you ready? Are you
still living the world, thinking that you are saved anyway? So you can
now enjoy the world, but you do not know how much you have suffered, you
will suffer. A thousand years ruling with Christ in glory in comparison
with the time in outer darkness, weeping and repenting.

Which do you choose? So with deepest hope, brothers and sisters, I know,
I hope, that our time here, this time, will not be wasted. But every one
of us will be ready for the Lord. Now it is true that if you want to be
ready for the Lord, you have to suffer to a certain degree because you
have to deny yourself.

You have to learn to follow the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Lord has given His Spirit to each one of us and His Spirit, who
dwells in our spirit, is very careful in leading us in the way of the
Lord. And that is the reason why after you believe in the Lord Jesus,
you will not be able to live as you lived before.

The indwelling Holy Spirit, His real small voice, is leading us. Do you
obey? If we obey, we may have to give up something, our soul life, but
that's worth it. I remember before I was saved, I used to spend my
Saturday in theatres, even though my father was a pastor.

And yet, I was usually in the theatres. After I was saved, people told
me that I shouldn't go to the theatres. I used to quarrel with them as I
choose what I look at.

If it's good theatre, if it's good, why can't I not do it? But even
though I say it that way, I knew something must be wrong. So I tried to
keep from theatre, secretly, lest I fail. And sure enough, the enemy
knew if I was in that position.

A Christian movie came to Shanghai called Noah's Ark, and people sent
tickets to my family. Oh, how I debated within myself. I haven't been to
a theatre for a few months.

I thought it was quite an accomplishment, but now this temptation was
too great. So I succumbed to it. I went there.

For two hours, I sat in that theatre, looking at the scene. It was the
dirtiest scene I've ever seen. I debated in my heart.

I told myself I had to get out, but I sat there. For two hours, I
suffered, and thanked God that delivered me from theatre. By the grace
of God, I haven't been to a theatre.

Now, I won't say I haven't been to a theatre, because when there was
gospel meeting in the theatre, I did go. But anyway, I was delivered
from that theatrical thing. Am I glad about it? Thank God I'm glad.

I was not under bondage anymore. I was free, by the grace of God. So
dear brothers and sisters, this time, when we come together, we are very
serious.

Don't put it away, as if there will be still opportunity for you to
repent and return. Brothers and sisters, this is the time. Repent.

Return. Your soul may suffer, but your spirit will be saved. So, dear
brothers and sisters, we come here, not just to enjoy ourselves.

We come here for eternal enjoyment. May the Lord show mercy to everyone
of us. Do not allow the pleasure of this life to enable you to miss the
glorious kingdom of a thousand years.

So may the Lord help us. Shall we pray? Dear Lord, we want to thank you
that again and again you remind us of what you have prepared for us. You
want us to be what you want us to be.

That we may really follow thee with our whole hearts and be willing to
take up the cross, to deny the self, and to follow thee. Lord, may this
be the ambition of each and every one of us here. Lord, what if you
return now? Hopefully, this auditorium will be emptied.

No one will be left behind. And that is the prayer that we ask you. In
your name.

Amen.

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Video: https://sermonindex2.b-cdn.net/58iY-XK-9_Y.mp4
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/stephen-kaung/do-not-think-his-return-will-be-delayed/
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