With each passing day, this world seems to be on an unprecedented path of self-destruction. Assaults, abductions, homicides, nation against nation, and just pure hate of others dominate daily news outlets. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:6-8: “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (ESV – all emphasis is mine)
Continuing to Matthew 24:10-12: “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”
Signs of the approaching end of this era are also given in Mark, Luke, 2 Timothy, and a number of books in both Old and New Testaments. Our main part in all of this is to continuously be ready for the “Trumpet of God and shout from an archangel,” as given in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. These are considered the “Rapture” verses and will take place before the appearance of the ultimate antichrist of the seven-year tribulation.
Our Heavenly Father has promised to keep all true believers of His Son, Jesus the Christ, from going through any part of the actual tribulation. This is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10.
We have no actual time given as to when the end of this age will take place. While He was on this earth in human form, our Savior stated that even He did not have the exact time. His point was for us to be ready at all times (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). Of course, after His pure, sinless blood sacrifice at Calvary and His resurrection from the dead, our Jesus was again totally a part of our Triune Godhead with all power and knowledge.
It is very possible that the ultimate antichrist of the 7-year tribulation/wrath is actually alive today. We’re told in 2 Thessalonians 2 that he will be held from coming out until the “Restrainer” is removed, and that would be the Holy Spirit.
Each and every person on Earth who has received and accepted Jesus as their Savior is indwelt by that same Holy Spirit. For the Father to keep His promise to us, when the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way of the antichrist, we must also be taken out of that pathway.
Therefore, we will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air and will forever be with Him after that.
Imagine, if you will, what would life be like for you if you aren’t included in that Rapture? For this earth and all remaining occupants, it will be the most terrible time that has ever taken place since the Genesis 1:1 creation. During that time, it will still be possible to be saved, but most likely at the cost of martyrdom. And then, only those who had never received and accepted Jesus prior to that.
However, we are told in Hebrews 6:4-6: “For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the Heavenly Gift; and have shared in the Holy Spirit and have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt.”
The key is found in Hebrews 10:26-27: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume adversaries.” This tells us that a person claims they want Jesus as Savior but has no intention of changing their sinful ways.
All will sin and fall short, which is human nature (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23). For all of us who truly have Jesus in our hearts as our Savior, we have 1 John 1:8-9: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Our goal is to turn away from habitual sin, and knowing that we can’t do this by ourselves, we ask the Father to give us strength to do so. There are numerous verses about asking the Father for help, and one that gives a good summary is 1 John 5:14: “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” We should realize the difference between sincere requirements and selfish ones.
As stated above, imagine what your life would be like if you’re here for the seven-year tribulation. Now, imagine what it will be like if you’re taken up in the Rapture and you find yourself in the actual physical presence of our Savior.
A song by Bart Mallard in 2001, and recorded by him in the group “Mercy Me” was titled “I Can Only Imagine.” Consider the message he has given us.
1.) I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by Your side. I can only imagine what my eyes would see when Your face is before me; I can only imagine, yeah.
Ref.) Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine; I can only imagine.
2.) I can only imagine when that day comes, and I find myself standing in the Son; I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship You. I can only Imagine, yeah, I can only imagine. (Ref x 2)
I can only imagine, yeah, I can only imagine. I can only imagine yeah, yeah; I can only imagine (x3); I can only imagine, when all I will do is forever, forever worship You – I can only imagine.
If you have not received and accepted Jesus as your Savior, now would be a good time to seriously think about doing so. Once a person takes their last breath on this earth, their forever is set. We are not guaranteed another day here.
Those who have become a part of the Savior’s flock will be with Him forever. Consider the thief on the cross who believed in the Savior. Jesus said he would be with Him that very day (Luke 23:40-43).
Also, those who die without Jesus as their Savior will be added to the long line at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. There are no pardons or second chances there. Only a sentence to the lake of fire with Satan and his demons forever.
Our Heavenly Father will force no one to call out to be saved, but will honor the request of all who truly do. No one has sinned so greatly that they cannot be forgiven. Only those who do not ask forgiveness before they die.
Hope to see you at the feet of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.