When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.  Proverbs 21:15

My heart is breaking over the news that 21 Coptic Christians kidnapped from Egypt were beheaded. I have visited Egypt twice and had the privilege of meeting Christians both Evangelical and Coptic. I experienced some of the warmest hospitality I have ever received and treasure the expression of their love for Jesus.

I am praying for all those who follow Christ in Egypt because we share the same privilege of adoption into God’s family and because of the huge role they have to play as we approach the end of the age.  

There is a day coming when “justice will roll like a river” (Amos 5:24). Jesus will break through the clouds and begin a reign on earth with perfect justice. The scripture indicates that every eye will see Him. When He comes, there will be no hiding behind masks. For the righteous there will be the joy of a bride seeing her bridegroom. But for the evildoer, there will be terror.

Standing with Jesus Christ is becoming as polarizing as it was for the 1st century disciples. In the West, we need to double down on our prayers for our persecuted brothers and sisters world-wide. And we need to prepare. . .

Peace and prosperity over the last 200+ years in the West have not created a radiant Bride. But the Bride in the West will be ready on that Day. We need to prepare for the pathway that will lead to our radiance.

“When He comes, there will be no hiding behind masks.”

That is a word for us as well. I remember the first time I read this quote from Brennan Manning:

When I was eight the impostor, or false self, was born as a defense against pain. The impostor within whispered, ‘Brennan, don’t ever be your real self anymore because nobody likes you as you are. Invent a new self that everybody will admire and nobody will know.’

I’m asking Jesus to give me insight regarding any impostors in my life. I am desperate for authentic living with Christ. We can lay our false selves at the foot of the cross and then pick up our cross and follow Jesus along the Way. We must declare the Truth no matter what the cost. And we must focus on the promise and perspective of eternal Life. The stakes are higher now than they have ever been before.

Jesus is coming and there will be no hiding behinds masks.