(photo courtesy of John Lawson)
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
There has been a lot of talk lately about the “end times.” This is usually in reference to the “Great Tribulation,” “the rise of the anti-Christ,” or the “second coming of Christ.” Regardless of which of these events are the focus of the “end times,” there is a wonderful event that precedes all of these. That is the Rapture of the church. This is the moment when Jesus descends from heaven and calls all those who have trusted Him as their Saviour to return with Him to heaven. Sadly, many will be left behind.
Shortly after this event, the anti-Christ will come on the scene, beginning a 7-year period of God’s judgment on mankind for their rejection of His Son. This time of “Great Tribulation” is associated with the “mark of the Beast”, a cashless system, a one world economy, a one-world church, and total government dependency/control… this list could go on. This period of time will also bring horrific events upon the earth that the Bible foretells. No one can comprehend how truly bad it will be until it actually happens.
When will this happen? Jesus said that no one knows the exact time this will happen. Matthew 26:46 states, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” However, we can see the signs all around us of the imminent coming of the Rapture and the Tribulation to follow. If we take a look at history, there is no time when the government has ordered us to stay in our homes and to trust and rely completely on the them. Yet, since covid, we have seen this happen, lasting now more than a year in many places across our land. The pandemic has also resulted in schools closing, small businesses failing, isolation of individuals, disrespect of law enforcement, and churches being fined for keeping their doors open. How will it be before the “end times” that the Bible promises will occur, come?
Without God, it will be frightening, confusing, and hopeless. Without God, it will be a dark time, bringing tremendous insecurity, inconsolable despondency, and a deep abiding fear… even more so than what we have experienced with the continuing restrictions imposed from the coronavirus.
However, it won’t be a concern for the children of God. Why? Because prior to this 7-year period of judgement, Jesus will descend from the clouds to take all who have believed in Him home to heaven for all eternity. (It will be interesting to see how the media and ruling leaders explain the disappearance of so many people. I will never know that because I will not be here.)
While Satan is preparing people for the arrival of the anti-Christ, God is preparing people for the return of Christ. No one knows when the Rapture will take place, but there is not one single Biblical prophecy left to be fulfilled before Jesus comes. I do believe it will be soon, and I KNOW without a doubt that I won’t be left behind when the trump of God sounds!
Right now, God is continuing to give mankind the opportunity to repent. The Bibles states in 2 Peter 5:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This reminds us that while it seems like the Rapture and Tribulation may never happen, it will. God always keeps His Word. He is waiting in order for everyone to have the opportunity to repent and come to Him through His Son, Jesus. In order for repentance to happen, people must hear the gospel – the good news the Jesus died and shed His precious blood as an atonement for sin, then rose from the dead, which proved He truly was the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. Only through Him, can anyone attain eternal life with God in heaven.
I know I am going to heaven one day because I have a time in my life when I made the choice to believe in Jesus Christ as the one and only true Lord and Saviour. I believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. I believe that He left heaven and came to earth as a baby born of a virgin. I believe He lived a sinless life, and that He died on the cross, shedding His blood, to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. I believe He rose from the dead on the third day, and He is in currently in heaven preparing a place for all those who believe and trust Him as their Saviour.
He loves us all dearly (far more than we deserve) and is ready to forgive us when we seek His divine forgiveness. The Bible states in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Additionally, Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Jesus is the only way to eternal life in heaven.
Sadly, many will be left behind at the Rapture. The Bible warns us in Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which art in heaven.” These individuals will be the ones who will experience the “end times,” the “Great Tribulation” of God’s judgment upon the world, and ultimate separation from God for all eternity. What can be done about this?
Those who have never accepted Christ’s free gift of forgiveness of sins… who have never chosen Him to be their Saviour can do so today! What does it take to accept God’s free gift of salvation? Simply Admit you are a sinner in need of a Saviour. Believe that Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, so that He, as the Saviour, could offer you forgiveness of your sins once and for all. Then pray and ask Him to forgive you! Choosing Him to be the Lord of your life is as easy as A-B-C! There are no other requirements… not baptism, not communion, not doing good works. Nothing will save you except calling upon Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and become your Saviour. He said in John 14:6 “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is no other way but through Jesus. No one has sinned so badly that He will not forgive them. He waits with open arms for you to come to Him.
If you’ve never called upon Christ to forgive your sins and become your Saviour, or if you’re not sure you ever have, there’s no better time than today! “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 6:2
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come! I come
(from “Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliott & William Bradbury)
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
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Do you know someone who doesn’t know Christ as their Saviour? Please don’t wait! Share the good news with them! The Bible tells us that Jesus will come, and it could be today!