They're Gone! - By Dennis Huebshman -
The Rapture
You wake up one morning, and your spouse is not there. You check the kid's rooms, and they are not there either. You try to call a friend, but all you get is voicemail. You turn on the morning news, and there are reports of multiple vehicle accidents; airplanes have fallen from the sky; the broadcast ends with the announcer saying there's chaos everywhere.
While you're taking all of this in, you say to yourself that it couldn't be the Rapture, because you're still here. Jesus wouldn't leave such a "good person" as yourself behind, because you have so much to contribute to heaven. After all, you had the same seat at church for years and years, and except for when something really important came up, you didn't miss a service.
You gave money regularly to keep your church membership up to date, sang all the songs, bowed your head during prayer, and complimented the preacher regularly on his messages - even when you had no idea what the message was about. After all, you believe in God, and you know Jesus was one of His best prophets; so why are you still here? Besides, didn't the preacher just say last week there's many ways to heaven? Surely you qualified in at least one of them.
For those who see the errors in all the above, you're in the minority of the total world population. Worldwide, it's estimated that "true believers" are about 10% of the total population; and if you're Jewish, it's about 1% to 2% that are Messianic. People in the United States believe we are a "Christian" nation; however, the 10% is just about right even here. Yes, there are a lot of "religious" people here; but religion isn't what saves someone, which Jesus constantly reminded the Pharisees about.
Satan and his demons are working overtime to pull as many souls from Jesus as possible; and the sad news is, a lot are turning to him. Some are accepting Satan outright, and are even forming "Churches of Satan." Their goal as stated is to ridicule our Savior and to blaspheme the Holy Spirit as a show of defiance to the Heavenly Father. For some reason, they believe the devil will be able to give them special privileges "IF" there even is such a thing as a tribulation period. The Bible? It's just a book of fairy-tales and myths to them. Life is meant to enjoy everything to the fullest, and Christianity cramps that style.
The youth of America (30 and below) are leaving churches in record numbers - especially any church where the Bible is preached word for word, leaving nothing out. These congregations are becoming fewer and fewer as time goes by.
The Churches that are flourishing are the ones that stir the spirit and soul with great finger-snapping music that are mostly 7-11 songs. This is a song that repeats the same 7 words 11 times, but doesn't hold any real spiritual meaning. People get in a "group mentality" mode, and believe they have had a "religious experience."
To keep the mood going, videos are included, and a person at a control board keeps the lights "pulsing" to the beat of the song being played. Some larger churches are incorporating fog machines along with the music.
To top all of this entertainment off, a "soul-stirring" message from a false prophet, aka: anti-Christ, is given. They will even hold up a Bible, but the words given aren't in there. They have learned the art of "ear-tickling" to keep the seats full and the collection plates overflowing. In 1 John 2:18-19, he warns about anti-Christ's in the first century. Jesus, Paul and others warned this would only increase as we approached the end times, and it's evident we are there.
Mainline evangelical churches are changing to accept alternative lifestyles that God said are an abomination. Their reasoning is that God loves everyone, so He wasn't really serious about condemning anyone for whom they "love." Problem is, God does expect us to love everyone, but in a spiritual way, not sexually related. That's reserved for a man and a wife. Children are even being encouraged in the lower grades to accept what a small minority of the population is trying to force on everyone.
Gender identity has become a huge issue, especially in some of our more liberal states. California, for example, has passed a law that makes it illegal for anyone, especially pastors, to offer any form of counseling against gender identity issues. Even if a person requests help, it is illegal to supply it.
We are getting to the point Jesus spoke of where people will believe they're right in killing Christians (Matthew 24:9 and John 16:2). During the Tribulation, anyone who accepts Jesus will be sought out to be martyred, as the final anti-Christ will demand ALL worship be directed to him. The "Freedom From Religion" groups are just a prelude to this; they harass Christian business people and protest against religious displays wherever and whenever they can. This will not get any better, but will only increase as we approach the Rapture, followed by the Tribulation.
For anyone who says they would like to be certain they won't be left behind, the remedy is not difficult, except in someone's mind. To overcome this, the guide to be "Rapture Ready" is as follows: Romans 10:9, "... because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (His promise!) Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Back up one verse to Romans 10:12, "For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile), for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on Him."
What about someone who believes their sin is too great to be forgiven? Romans 3:23-24, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. But they are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by Grace you are saved through Faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God; it is not from works so that no one can boast."
As for the many ways, or the don't-need-Jesus argument - John 14:6, "Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me." That is the straight and narrow, plain and simple. You have not sinned beyond the reach of our Savior's blood. Re-read Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13. You are part of the "all" if you will call on Him.
It's an offer that's made to all, but it won't last much longer. God does not want anyone to fail (2 Peter 3:9), so I believe He's giving us a bit longer before Romans 11:25 takes place. That's when the fullness of the Gentiles happens, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (Rapture) happens in the "twinkling or blinking" of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). No one knows the day or hour.
To have accepted Jesus as your Savior now, will prevent you from having to experience the scenarios given in the first couple paragraphs above. One thing: No, you aren't good enough, as no one is. Jesus was the only person to ever live a sin-free life, but God loves you so much (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8) that He allows His Son's sacrifice to cover all our sins.
If you die in Christ, you will be raised first at the Rapture. If you are alive when He calls, you will be taken up to meet Him in the air; and the raptured will be given a body meant to last for all eternity.
To die without Jesus is to be condemned to the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no third option, and God will not force you one way or the other. He will honor your free-will choice - Heaven or Hell - whichever you choose.
He would really love to have you choose His Son so that He can have you with Him forever. Just don't wait too much longer, as today would be a good time for your decision.
Maranatha
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