A big surprise this trip is teaching a the Khmer (Cambodian speaking) church service and Bible study. I had not anticipated, nor planned for it, but the Lord has blessed it. Using a translator can be difficult. I have done it a couple of times over the past 9 years, it was always a challenge. But life is all about struggles!
At the church service yesterday, Samlaeng was my translator and he did a marvelous job. My problem (and I have many!) is I speak too fast or tend to slur words (like a Californian!). So I worked at speaking slowly and clearly. Another problem is using figures of speech that have no meaning to another culture. I tried to avoid those as much as possible.
I spoke on the Blessed Hope of the Church. What is the Blessed Hope? It is the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the Rapture of the Church! An event promised throughout the New Testament, but one many Christians have ceased thinking about.
Jesus may come today for His Church! His coming to take Christians out of this world is imminent, it will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet! It is a reunion in the sky.
Do you want one good reason (among many) to believe in Jesus Christ? The Rapture. Read all about it in John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:13; Revelation 22:12-13, 17. If what we believe about the Rapture does not affect our behavior, we are either believing the wrong thing or behaving in the wrong way, or both.
I was surprised to be teaching Khmer, but Jesus’s return won’t be a surprise. I’m ready. His return for His bride is imminent. It may be today!
Pastor Roger's Cambodia Report 