On April 8, 1966, Time magazine had no usual picture on the front cover. It had a black background with large red letters stating, “Is God Dead?” This was a delight for atheists and agnostics and their prince of this world – Satan. At the time, I did not have a true relationship with the Lord and was in my first year of being in the Navy. All my concentration was on learning a new job, and “religion” rarely crossed my mind. It would be just about another twenty years before I would sincerely call out for Jesus to forgive me and be my Savior forever. I thank the Father every day for not requiring my soul before that. (all emphasis mine – all quotes ESV)
Now, I am encouraged by more passages in God’s word that plainly state that He is very much alive, has been from forever past, and will be forevermore.
Job 19:25 states, “For I know that My Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.”
When we are finally taken up to meet Jesus in the air, our “conversion” will be amazing.
In 1 John 3:2-3, we read, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself, as He is pure.”
Not only will we have perfect, forever imperishable bodies, we will also have a mindset that will never be subject to temptation again!
Meanwhile, Romans 3:10; “as it is written, ‘none is righteous, no, not one.'” Then Romans 3:23; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Finally, Romans 6:23; “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.”
Before anyone gets the idea that they are ‘pure and holy’ right now, every human that is alive today falls under the “all” clause. The only human to have ever lived a sinless life on this earth was Jesus Himself. Though He was fully God, He allowed Himself to be lower than the angels for a little while (Hebrews 2:7). He was subject to all our emotions and was open to being tempted just as we all are. Satan tried his best to cause the Savior to slip and sin; however, we are blessed that He stood firm, and when He went to the cross at Calvary, His blood was sinless and pure. His was the only sacrifice that the Father would ever accept as our sin offering.
Hebrews 9:12; “He entered once for all into the Holy Places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Then Hebrews 10:4; “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin.”
In 2000, singer/songwriter Nichole Mullen wrote and released a song called “My Redeemer Lives.” It is still being played on Christian media and is on YouTube.
1.) Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning? And who told the ocean you can only come this far? And who showed the moon where to hide till evening? Whose words alone can catch a falling star.
Ref.) Well, I know, My Redeemer Lives; I know My Redeemer lives. All of creation testifies; the life within me cries; I know My Redeemer lives. Yeah.
2.) The very same God that spins things in orbit runs to the weary, the worn and the weak. And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken, they conquered death to bring me victory.
Ref 2) Now I know My Redeemer Lives; I know My Redeemer lives. Let all creation testify; let this life within me cry; I know my Redeemer Lives.
3.) He lives to take away my shame. And He lives, forever I’ll proclaim; that the payment for my sin was the precious life He gave; but now He’s alive, and there’s an empty grave!
Ref 3) And I know My Redeemer Lives; I know My Redeemer Lives. Let all creation testify; let this life within me cry; I know My Redeemer Lives.
Whenever I hear her song, I am reminded that My Jesus suffered and died for my sins. The line, “…and that the payment for my sin was the precious life He gave…” has a very special meaning for me.
Jesus gave His life willingly for all sins of those who will receive and accept His gift. That applies to every living soul on this earth. All who will admit they’re sinners and confess this to Him, all who believe and have faith that He is truly Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, and all who will call on Him will be saved. (ABC’s of Salvation)
Seems simple enough, but for many, it’s too simple. Humans have a tendency to want to add to or take away from something to make it fit what they choose to believe. The majority of humans put more faith in the things of this world than they do their Creator. God is not surprised by this at all. Jesus spoke of the two ways available – broad and narrow – in Matthew 7:13-14.
For all the “round-2-it” folks, the time is steadily drawing to a close for this earth as it stands today. To say, “I’ll get ’round2it’ shortly” could very well be the biggest mistake they could ever make. In the past, I have actually heard people say that when they hear the Trumpet of God, they’ll call out to receive Jesus right then. Looking at 1 Corinthians 15:52, “in a moment, in the Twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” — some translations may state “Blinking of an eye” — either way, there won’t even be time to take a breath.
There are many definitions of the speed of “twinkling of an eye,” which is the time it takes for light to enter the eye, reach the back of the eye, and then be reflected back out again. That process, and even the act of blinking, takes considerably less than one second. I don’t believe anyone is fast enough to call out to the Lord to save them in that period of time.
The best synopsis would be to already be a part of our Savior’s flock (John 10) before that call comes. Then morning, or night, or noon won’t be an issue. Your reservation will be intact, and your “flight” assured.
Just know that false prophets and antichrists are more active today, just as the Bible said they would be in the last days. Satan would love nothing more than to steal more souls from the Savior to spend eternity in hell with him.
Jesus is the only way to the Father and eternal life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Some so-called evangelical church pastors are preaching that all the abominations spoken of in God’s word no longer apply. All the alphabet groups love this. They are also saying there are many ways to heaven without Jesus. Some are even saying there’s no such place as hell. Matthew 25:41 disputes this by saying it was created specifically for the devil and his demons. Revelation 20:11-15 states that all the lost souls from the beginning to the very end of this earth will join them.
I will firmly stand on God’s word over theirs every time. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and why would He need to? After all, He’s the Creator!
If you haven’t received and accepted the gift of the Lord yet, now would be a great time to do so. True believers are ready to leave this sin-filled world as soon as the Father is ready to receive us. Today would not be too early to call on Jesus. My hope, my prayer, is that all who are putting off their call to the Savior would really take a minute or two and do it now.
Matthew 24, Luke 21, and 2 Timothy 3 give many signs about the end of this age. If one takes the time and looks at real news, all those signs are here right now. They started appearing a few years ago, and the progression is getting more rapid daily. Jesus said in Luke 21:28 that when they “began” to happen, look up, for He will be coming soon. It could even be today. Please be ready!
Shalom! Maranatha!