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The Son of Man is at the door by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that He (the Son of Man) is near – at the doors!" (Mark 13:28-29). In the Greek version, the two verses only make up a single sentence. As a disciple must do, let us learn from the parable of the fig tree. The fig tree represents Israel and the Jews. We have to therefore look very carefully at what has happened with the people of God since their return to the Land of Israel. We have been grafted on to the true olive tree, Israel, whose roots we bear (Romans 11:17-18), but we must not forget the irrevocable choosing and call of Israel (Romans 11:28-29). If we examine in particular the fulfilment of the prophecy of Ezekiel 37, "We know that the Lord has spoken and acted" (Ezekiel 37:14), we know therefore that Jesus Christ is at the door, "That is why, you as well, keep yourselves ready [étoimos], for the Son of Man will come at a time you do not know" (Matthew 24:44). In the comparison of the Kingdom of God to the ten virgins (Matthew 25:10), those who were ready [étoimos], that is to say the Bride, go into the wedding hall. That symbolises the meeting they will have with Jesus Christ at the time of the rapture. In Revelation 19:7-8, it is the Bride prepared [étoimazo] who is presented at the wedding (marriage supper) of the Lamb. And the Bride prepares Herself by allowing Herself to be purified by the rhêma Word of God and by reclothing Herself in fine linen that are produced by the works of the Kingdom (Revelation 19:8). "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into his home and sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20 Darby). Jesus takes hold of His Bride whom He loves (Revelation 3:19) for he desires to prepare Her in order to take Her away. Therefore let the Holy Spirit prepare us for that is a part of our spiritual armour, "Put on your feet the preparation [étoimasia] of the Gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). The Gospel of peace gives us a sureness to our feet, which enables us to resist in the time of tribulations preceding the return of Jesus (Marc 13). It is only when we are ready that we will be able to say with the Holy Spirit, "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:17). |