Am I my brother’s keeper? This is one of the first questions asked and it was posed in a disingenuous manner, for the one who asked had just killed his brother. The answer depends on what is meant by ‘keeper’. Your brother has the same liberty and freedom of action that you do, so you are not responsible to direct his life. Yet at the same time you cannot be indifferent, cold, and distant from your brother. If you have no other connection then you were both created in my image. What stronger connection do you need than that? If your brother is in need of daily bread, or even affluent and walking in darkness, can you turn your back instead of sharing my love with him? In this sense you are your brother’s keeper. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these ye have done it unto me. 

What is your perspective on the end of times? Are you concerned with matching the identities of living persons to characters in Biblical prophecy? Do you do the same thing with nations? Are you developing a scenario and setting dates for it? Do you find these activities to be spiritually beneficial? My word speaks of my return. Then it poses a question. What manner of persons should we be? You have a part to play in the great drama of eternity. Attending to your spiritual formation and the work I have called you to that you may do your own part well is more important than knowing the whole script. 

Are you familiar with the verse that says my sheep hear my voice? This is the way most people remember it, but careful examination shows that it says my sheep know my voice, and this isn’t quite the same thing. Everyone can hear my voice, otherwise who could be saved, but not all have ears to hear. Many hear my voice and do not recognize that it is me. I can speak audibly, but more often I speak through my word, through those I have placed in authority, through nature, circumstances, and even through chance encounters with strangers and things you overhear in passing. Do you know when I am speaking to you this way?

I promised that I would return and you can count on that. I did not disclose all the details about how this would come about and when, and people have been trying to figure it out ever since. Can you leave it in my hands? If it were important for you to know when I would have told you. You know when your taxes are due and you can plan for that. There is a purpose for my withholding the schedule for end time events. Yet you can prepare for them by following me, being instant in season and out of season, having your loins girded and your lamps burning. If you walk with me you will be ready even if you don’t know when I am coming.