WAS JESUS LATE ?
By W. G. Guy
Is God ever late? The answer is no, because when we see a delay, He has a purpose that we cannot see! The following illustration was given to me by the Holy Spirit right after the Inauguration of Joe Biden which was a colossal failure of our corrupt election and political system. This illustration is a parallel of the story of Lazarus and the Constitutional Republic of the United
States of America. The story is found in the gospel of John Chapter 11.
John 11:1-3 – Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick). Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Jesus’ divine knowledge of this situation is shown in his response to the news that was brought to him about Lazarus.
John 11:4 – When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Martha and Mary, Lazarus’s sisters, requested Jesus to come and heal Lazarus of his sickness. He didn’t come when requested but waited for a reason.
John 11: 6 – When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
Finally, Jesus told His disciples that it is now time to go to see Lazarus. Consider that a period of time passed before Jesus arrived because of the distance that they had to travel. First was the distance that those carrying the news to Jesus had to travel; then Jesus waited a couple days; then began His journey to Bethany to see Lazarus.
John 11:7 – Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.
Jesus ends up explaining the concept of death as being a dormant state until the resurrection by referring to it as “sleep”, but His disciples were not considering the spiritual connotation of what Jesus was saying.
John 11:11-14 – These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Since Lazarus is dead why does Jesus now decide to go to him? Because He has a purpose and a plan that He wants His disciples to witness.
John 11:15 – And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
By the time Jesus arrives on the scene, Lazarus is now in the grave and has been there for four days. Jewish belief was that when a person dies their spirit hangs around for three days. Jesus shows up after four days so the Jews knew it was hopeless now for Lazarus.
John 11:17 – Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
Lazarus’s sister, Martha, met Jesus outside of town and then returned to tell Mary. Then she casts her despair upon Jesus.
John 11:21 – Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
The followers of Jesus knew about, and looked forward to, the promised resurrection.
John 11:23-24 – Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus then declares the great truth of who He is, to which she responds.
John 11: 25-27 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Now Lazaruss’ other sister arrives and declares that if Jesus had come sooner Lazarus would be alive.
John 11:32 – Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
As Jesus asked them to take them to where Lazarus was buried, others said the same thing. They assumed, as do so many do today, that death is final.
John 11:37 – And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
They all arrive at the tomb and Jesus commands the stone be removed from the cave entrance, but they object because Lazarus has been dead for four days and has begun to rot and decay.
John 11:39 – Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Jesus declares to them all that the result of faith has a great reward and reveals the glory and power of almighty God that is for the benefit of those that believe.
John 11:40 – Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
So they removed the stone from the cave opening and Jesus, after He said a short prayer to the Father, gave a loud command.
John 11:43 – And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Then the miracle of new life occurred and the dead came out of the grave. However, Lazarus was still bound up in that which
the living had placed on him, so Jesus ordered them to remove that which held him bound.
John 11:44 – And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
This event brought a great awakening to those in the area who saw and heard about this resurrection from the dead.
John 11:45 – Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Unfortunately, there are those who are so hardened against the things of God that they rejected the life giving miracle and sought to work against it.
John 11:46 – But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
Those of the opposition feared to lose their ruling positions of influence and governmental control over the nation, so they plotted their resistance.
John 11:47 – Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
The Lord has laid upon my heart that this story is a parallel of what is currently happening in America. It appears that God has delayed coming to the rescue of our ailing and sick nation, and it has died. There will be a delay that causes us to greatly morn; meanwhile America rots and decays. However, the prayers, intersessions and repentance of the saints have been heard in heaven, and our Lord will arrive on the scene to speak life and resurrect America back into the Republic in which it was initially formed.
As with the Jewish priests and Pharisees, there will be those that oppose what God had done and will continue to do, but they do not have the power to prevail. The great awakening will occur and light will shine and those of the darkness will flee from the light and hide in the proverbial caves, calling for the rocks to cover the opening so they can hide from the wrath of the Lamb and of God that is coming.
Revelation 6:15-17 – And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
The resurrection of the Republic will be seen by all the world and the glory of God will go forth to the distain of the wicked.
Isaiah 60:1-3 – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Was Jesus really late? – NO, He never is! His purpose was achieved; just as it will be in America in response to the repentance and intercessory prayers of the saints.
John 11:4 – When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Trust God, He has a plan and a purpose! You will see it come to pass! To God be the Glory, His will shall be done! He will not be late!
By W. G. Guy
Is God ever late? The answer is no, because when we see a delay, He has a purpose that we cannot see! The following illustration was given to me by the Holy Spirit right after the Inauguration of Joe Biden which was a colossal failure of our corrupt election and political system. This illustration is a parallel of the story of Lazarus and the Constitutional Republic of the United
States of America. The story is found in the gospel of John Chapter 11.
John 11:1-3 – Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick). Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Jesus’ divine knowledge of this situation is shown in his response to the news that was brought to him about Lazarus.
John 11:4 – When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Martha and Mary, Lazarus’s sisters, requested Jesus to come and heal Lazarus of his sickness. He didn’t come when requested but waited for a reason.
John 11: 6 – When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
Finally, Jesus told His disciples that it is now time to go to see Lazarus. Consider that a period of time passed before Jesus arrived because of the distance that they had to travel. First was the distance that those carrying the news to Jesus had to travel; then Jesus waited a couple days; then began His journey to Bethany to see Lazarus.
John 11:7 – Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.
Jesus ends up explaining the concept of death as being a dormant state until the resurrection by referring to it as “sleep”, but His disciples were not considering the spiritual connotation of what Jesus was saying.
John 11:11-14 – These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Since Lazarus is dead why does Jesus now decide to go to him? Because He has a purpose and a plan that He wants His disciples to witness.
John 11:15 – And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
By the time Jesus arrives on the scene, Lazarus is now in the grave and has been there for four days. Jewish belief was that when a person dies their spirit hangs around for three days. Jesus shows up after four days so the Jews knew it was hopeless now for Lazarus.
John 11:17 – Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
Lazarus’s sister, Martha, met Jesus outside of town and then returned to tell Mary. Then she casts her despair upon Jesus.
John 11:21 – Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
The followers of Jesus knew about, and looked forward to, the promised resurrection.
John 11:23-24 – Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus then declares the great truth of who He is, to which she responds.
John 11: 25-27 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Now Lazaruss’ other sister arrives and declares that if Jesus had come sooner Lazarus would be alive.
John 11:32 – Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
As Jesus asked them to take them to where Lazarus was buried, others said the same thing. They assumed, as do so many do today, that death is final.
John 11:37 – And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
They all arrive at the tomb and Jesus commands the stone be removed from the cave entrance, but they object because Lazarus has been dead for four days and has begun to rot and decay.
John 11:39 – Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Jesus declares to them all that the result of faith has a great reward and reveals the glory and power of almighty God that is for the benefit of those that believe.
John 11:40 – Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
So they removed the stone from the cave opening and Jesus, after He said a short prayer to the Father, gave a loud command.
John 11:43 – And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Then the miracle of new life occurred and the dead came out of the grave. However, Lazarus was still bound up in that which
the living had placed on him, so Jesus ordered them to remove that which held him bound.
John 11:44 – And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
This event brought a great awakening to those in the area who saw and heard about this resurrection from the dead.
John 11:45 – Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Unfortunately, there are those who are so hardened against the things of God that they rejected the life giving miracle and sought to work against it.
John 11:46 – But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
Those of the opposition feared to lose their ruling positions of influence and governmental control over the nation, so they plotted their resistance.
John 11:47 – Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
The Lord has laid upon my heart that this story is a parallel of what is currently happening in America. It appears that God has delayed coming to the rescue of our ailing and sick nation, and it has died. There will be a delay that causes us to greatly morn; meanwhile America rots and decays. However, the prayers, intersessions and repentance of the saints have been heard in heaven, and our Lord will arrive on the scene to speak life and resurrect America back into the Republic in which it was initially formed.
As with the Jewish priests and Pharisees, there will be those that oppose what God had done and will continue to do, but they do not have the power to prevail. The great awakening will occur and light will shine and those of the darkness will flee from the light and hide in the proverbial caves, calling for the rocks to cover the opening so they can hide from the wrath of the Lamb and of God that is coming.
Revelation 6:15-17 – And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
The resurrection of the Republic will be seen by all the world and the glory of God will go forth to the distain of the wicked.
Isaiah 60:1-3 – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Was Jesus really late? – NO, He never is! His purpose was achieved; just as it will be in America in response to the repentance and intercessory prayers of the saints.
John 11:4 – When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Trust God, He has a plan and a purpose! You will see it come to pass! To God be the Glory, His will shall be done! He will not be late!