The Church is currently living the prophetic moment that closely precede the return of the Lord Jesus in glory to rapture His Church. Neither day nor the hour is known, evidently, but we have the obligation to discern the signs of times. In order for the Church to understand the prophetic moment in which it lives, the Lord Jesus spoke about the different signs in the Prophetic Sermon in chapter 24 of Matthew and in the book of Revelation.

As Jesus’ Bride, the Church will be alert the moment of Jesus’ return, with its lamps filled with oil, that is, filled with the Holy Spirit, for in addition to having been baptized with the Spirit, the faithful servants of the Lord are constantly filling themselves up with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18-21).

The Church should preach Jesus’ Gospel with power and the Word must be accompanied by signs that are confirmed (Mark 16:20). Hence the need to seek the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and the spiritual gifts. The manifestations of the spiritual gifts – prophecy, word of knowledge, miracles, healings – are used by the Lord to demonstrate to the world that Jesus is alive!

In addition to proclaiming that the Lord Jesus is alive, the Church has the great responsibility of announcing that He will quickly return! Martin Luther declared that the Church should live as if Jesus had died yesterday, resurrected today and would return tomorrow! Maranatha! Oh come, Lord Jesus!