According to Dictionary definitions, the eleventh hour means ‘the last moment or almost too late; the last possible moment for doing something or for something to happen; the latest possible time before it is too late; A point in time which is nearly too late; the last minute; last possible opportunity; etc.
The key word in the eleventh-hour usage essentially is that whatever it is, it was not late. It may be almost too late, yet never late. The last possible moment, and yet the moment came.
We are at the end of the eleventh month of this year; and as we approach the very tail end of the year, it can be said that we are in the ‘eleventh hour’ of the year 2020. May be there are things you are trusting God to happen for you in 2020 and it appears that time is running out; may God intervene on your behalf in Jesus name.
Originally, the eleventh hour is a phrase that emanated from the Holy Bible from the ‘Parable of the workers in the vineyard’; (also called the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard or the Parable of the Generous Employer). It was told by Jesus Christ in Chapter 20 of the Gospel of Mathew.
Mt 20: 1-16
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
The parable teaches us that salvation is by grace: some are called and received this grace early, others are called and received it at a later time. Other have interpreted it to be the first call to the Jews and the later call to the Gentiles. No group however should be jealous nor flaunt that grace on others; as to all it was still by the special grace of God that we were called and saved; and that we worked in the Lord’s vineyard.
In that parable, Jesus debunked the human expectation by saying the last shall be first; and the first last. Jesus said the owner of the farm asked the Foreman to pay the workers at 6pm.
Human expectation would reason that the first people that came at 6am will be paid first, as they “have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat”. They ought to go home first.
Also, human expectation would have it that if the first labourers were paid first and given one denarius they agreed e.g. £120 for 12 hours work; then people that came at noon will be given half that wage £60; and those that came at 5pm will be given just a token £12.
Also, human expectation would still have it that, should the owner started paying the last people first; and he gave them one denarius each; then it would mean that the owner will likely top up the pay for the early workers. All these however did not happen. It was the owner’s prerogative to do as he had agreed with the workers and as he pleased with them.
God is our Creator; He is our Owner. It may be that you are seeing others being called into their ‘vineyards’ early in life or early in this year; and some at the middle; others at three quarter of the year; and you are thinking, the year is almost gone; when will it be mine turn?
Can I prophesy to you in Jesus name? God will intervene in your case. God will make things equal for you. In Economics, we are taught that all things been equal, certain things will happen (ceteris paribus). The problem is that all things are usually not equal in real life. As one is sorting this out, another thing starts happening. Jehovah is the only One that can command all things to do so. May God make life to equal out for you. Your life will not be lopsided/uneven in Jesus name. This is good and that is not good will not be your portion.
Those that have gone ahead of you will soon become jealous of your amazing rewards. You will not be lesser in the end. Life may not have been fair, but God will do justice in your case. Your righteous expectation shall not be cut off. Your hope will not be dashed in Jesus name.
God will be generous to you. You will not wait in vain. Your visitation will happen before the sunset. At the end of the day, it will not be how hard you have worked, but how much grace and favour you have received. May Divine grace stand you out in Jesus name.
One good attribute of the workers in this parable, especially those called at 3pm and 5pm is that they had faith, hope, patience, perseverance, and they kept vigilance. They did not give up in waiting. Who goes to look for labourers to work in the vineyard at 5pm? No one! Yet these people waited as they believed there was no other place to go; and going back home empty-handed is not an answer. They were prepared to wait till end of work hour. It paid off for them.
You may not have been called to that ‘vineyard’ yet and it is already 9am, 12noon, 3pm or even 5pm as touching what sort of vineyard you require (getting a job or new job, course of study, business venture you desire to start, contract you are hoping to get, relationship you are believing God for, childbearing in marriage, citizenship of a particular country, healing of a particular ailment, qualifying into a professional body, passing a test or exam, etc).
I encourage you to keep praying. Be vigilant. Have faith. Keep your hope alive. Demonstrate patience; and be willing to persevere. Your Divine intervention shall arrive in good time in Jesus name.
In Mark 10: 46-52, the bible tells us that Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the side of the highway to Jericho begging for alms. But when he heard a large noise of people coming and was aware that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing; he was determined to receive his healing. He kept shouting “Jesus the Son of David, have mercy on me”.
It is offensive for someone to raise their voice where a Rabbi is. The Rabbi might say something important people need to hear. We are also taught never to make noise where a teacher is, talk less of a representative of God! So many people asked him to keep quiet. He however persisted.
He demonstrated faith in Jesus when He asked him what he wanted. To receive his sight. He also showed appreciation to God by dedicating his life to God afterwards.
One of the most important lesson from the story can be deduced from Mark 10: 32-34. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified. It would be his last time passing through that region. If he had missed that opportunity, he might have remained a blind man till the end.
We are told that Jesus intervened in his case; and asked him to be called. Those who were rebuking him before began to encourage him; and helped him to get to Jesus.
Your case may not be physical blindness. But you may have other physical, spiritual, mental, financial, matrimonial, or whatever issue. At this eleventh hour of the year 2020, may God intervene on your behalf in Jesus name.
It is possible that there are ‘loud voices’ around you trying to drown your voice; trying to shut you up. May be those that are supposed to amplify your voice are even the ones discouraging you. My advice for you is you should not keep quiet. Raise your voice above the noise. Be determined to get God’s attention. Have faith in God. Dedicate the rest of your life to God. He will intervene in your case in Jesus name.
In I Chro. 22: 6-10, King David already knew that Solomon was to sit on the throne after his death, by the instruction of God. He had also made a vow to Bathsheba about this; and some of his special aides were already aware of it (I Kings 1: 11-14 – Prophet Nathan was used).
However, while David was still alive, but weak, Adonijah could not wait anymore for David to die and contest for the throne; he tried to seize it from Solomon, as the senior child. He got David’s influential men to his side: Joab the Army commander; Abiatha the old High Priest; and others. They anointed him as king over Israel.
The likes of Prophet Nathan, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the army general, Solomon and Bathsheba were not invited. Which means their lives, including that of David was in danger.
In that eleventh hour, while it looked like all hopes had been lost; God intervened! In few hours, the story changed. Solomon sat on the throne of his father David. Adonijah and his followers were begging for their lives (I Kings 1: 28-52).
There is someone listening to me now, it looks like what belongs to you or your right has been hijacked by some other fellow, who felt it should be theirs. God will intervene on your behalf in Jesus name. You will not lose out.
God will raise unusual helps for you.
Those that thought they have cheated you and celebrating are doing so too early. God will issue a reversal order on your behalf. They will plead for your mercy. You shall be the one celebrating soon.
In Luke 5: 1-11, the bible tells us how Peter went fishing one night, something he had done regularly as a way of life; only that on this particular night, he caught nothing! That was strange. He ought to have at least caught little fishes, shrimps, crabs, etc. but nothing!
As he was repairing his net in despair and disappointment; and possibly dreading what to say to his wife and children at home; Jesus stepped in to intervene! Jesus will step in for you today.
There is someone listening to this, you are in a state of despair and disappointment right now; God will intervene on your behalf in Jesus name. The reason for your disappointment will be solved miraculously by God. God will lift your spirit in Jesus name.
To another person, you are facing challenges as touching your next sustenance. Jehovah Jireh will surprise you with provision that will last you beyond now in Jesus name.
To yet another person, you are still processing something undesirable that just happened. I am asked to tell you that you will not need to relay that story as such. God says, ‘Hold on, I am working on the story to turn it into positive testimony for you’.
Again, Apostle Peter enjoyed eleventh hour Divine intervention as King Herod planned to kill him just like as he did to Apostle James. In Acts 12: 1-11, we read that the church was making unending intercession for Peter. God intervene the night before the day of Peter’s execution. It was like a dream to Peter and even the church that had been praying! It was miraculous!
God will effect your rescue. That rescue may come the last hour, know of a certain that your salvation shall arrive. You will not be missed in a negative way. Your deliverance may seem tight and the chance slim, even in that God will demonstrate His greatness and power on your behalf. Your coming out will be a surprise to many, including yourself in Jesus name.
In Esther 3:1-6; 6:1-11, the bible tells us that because Mordecai was not doing obeisance to Haman as the other staffs at the palace of King Ahasuerus; Hama developed hatred for Mordecai; and not only wanted to kill him, but the entire Jewish race in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
Haman designed a plot to kill all the Jews, confiscate all their belongings and give the proceeds to the king. While King Ahasuerus was not particularly keen as touching the income to be generated, he still gave permission to Haman to carry out his plan.
On the night of the following day of which Mordecai was to be hanged by Haman, God intervened. The king was restless. Wine, women, medication, music, etc could not help him.
He asked for the Book of Record’ to be read to him. There it came up that Mordecai saved the life of the king from a coup; of which he was not rewarded for. The king quickly ordered this appreciation to be done; and who was around just in time to carry this out? Haman!
So instead of Mordecai’s head to be hung on the gallows that day; his head was lifted high instead. Haman took him round the city of Shushan on the king’s chariot and everyone, including Haman was bowing to Mordecai.
Unfortunately for Haman, his head and those of His sons went on the gallows he had made instead.
Those that have chosen to ‘hang your head’ have chosen to mess up with a special destiny. Your head is not for the gallows. It is meant for the throne.
Someone listening to me now, people have planned to drag you in the mud; but you will be treated as a royal instead.
Those that have obtained permission to humiliate you will be given a reversal order to go and celebrate you instead. They will bow unto you in Jesus name.
Similar thing happened to Jacob as he returned to Canaan from Padan-Aram in Syria. He sent a message to his brother Esau that he was coming home. The bible says Esau went out to meet him with 400 strong army. Jacob knew that end had come if God did not intervene.
He wrestled with an angel of God in prayer all night and God intervened on his behalf. The heart of Esau, his brother was miraculously changed on the way from hated to love, from revenge to forgiveness.
It may be that some people are showing animosity and anger towards you. God will dampen their anger. When next you meet them, they will hug and kiss you instead in Jesus name.
Prayer
Father, arise and intervene in my situation, in the name of Jesus.
I break all curses working against my destiny, in Jesus name.
I command every covenant of satanic delay over my destiny to be broken, in the name of Jesus.
I position myself for divine intervention in every area of my life from now and henceforth in Jesus name.
The Almighty God is my Shepherd, I shall not lack anything good in Jesus name.
Holy Ghost reveal to me secrets that will solve every issue in my life in a timely manner.
Father, put in my hand the keys for my timely breakthrough.
Father, remove any kind of stagnancy from my destiny.
Sermon delivered on November 29, 2020.