Luke 10:16-20: “The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me, and the one who Rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.’ The seventy-two returned with joy saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!’ And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but that your names are written in Heaven.’“ (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)
Not everyone is able to go worldwide declaring the word of the Lord, but we are to use the talents we have been given.
Romans 12:4-8: “For as in one body, we have many members, and the members do not all have the same functions, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them; if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who exhorts in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Paul also states in Romans 12:18: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
We know that there are some occasions where we will face very uncomfortable situations. Our goal is to realize the negativity and try to put distance between us and the cause of the issue if possible.
We are to love everyone for their eternal souls, but we do not have to like what they do. Our Savior gave us good examples of this. Many of the religious leaders of His day criticized Jesus and His disciples for not following their so-called “proper rituals.” They had taken the laws that went back to the days of Moses, and through the centuries, “Adjusted” them to suit individual desires. Our Savior did not hesitate to point this out when they provoked Him.
Through all He endured because of them, He still asked the Father to forgive them when He was nailed to the cross.
Not all the Pharisees were against Jesus. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were disciples of the Savior, but secretly, as they feared the zealous religious leaders. However, when Jesus had died on that cross, they went to Pilate and asked that His body be given to them so they could properly bury Him.
It should be noted that Roman crucifixion was even more cruel than is described in the Bible. Unless a body was claimed, as our Savior’s was, many times they were tossed onto a pile of trash and just left there. The entire crucifixion process was a disregard of any semblance of human dignity.
When we try to comprehend that the Creator of the heavens and the earth sent a valuable part of Himself to this earth in human form, that is remarkable in itself. Then, to realize that our Jesus was to be sacrificed in one of the cruelest ways possible as a pure, sinless blood sacrifice for our sins, this goes beyond all our understanding. Also, He did so willingly, as stated in John 10:18.
Our Heavenly Father could very well force all of us to accept His Son, and could require all kinds of works or monetary requirements, but that is not His nature.
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”
So-called man-made religions have many different requirements that a person never really knows when they’ve done enough. Our Father wants us to be assured that “When the Roll Is Called,” we’ll be there. James M. Black (1856-1938) wrote a hymn with that title in 1893.
1.) When the Trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; when the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Ref.) When the Roll is called up Yonder, when the Roll is called up Yonder, when the Roll is called up Yonder, when the Roll is called up Yonder, I’ll be there!
2.) On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, and the glory of His resurrection share; when His chosen ones shall gather to their Home beyond the skies, and the Roll is called up Yonder, I’ll be there. (Ref)
3.) Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun; let us talk of His wonderous love and care. Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, and the Roll is called up Yonder, I’ll be there. (Ref)
Consider 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 when this song is presented. It covers what is known as the Rapture quite well.
Then, going to Romans 10:9-13, we find the steps to Salvation, and the only hard part is believing there’s not more that has to be done.
For all who have never heard of the “A-B-Cs” of Salvation, the letters stand for Admit, Believe, and Call.
Admit you are a sinner, as we all are (Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23). Believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) who came to Earth as a human, was crucified and died, and was then raised from the dead by the Father, and is back in Heaven (Romans 19:9). Finally, all who Call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13).
In John 10:17, Jesus made it clear that He came to Earth for all human souls to have a way to eternal life with Him, not just the Jews. “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.”
Please know that our Heavenly Father will force no one to accept Jesus as their Savior. It’s an individual choice, and there is a time limit on His offer. It must be made before taking our last breath on this earth. We are not guaranteed another day here, so the best decision anyone could make would be to receive and accept Jesus as their Savior soon.
Our Heavenly Father has promised that all who have received and accepted Jesus will not go through the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. All who end up there are lost souls and will end up in the lake of fire forever.
All saved souls will attend the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) to gain or lose rewards, but the final outcome for everyone there is a Home with Jesus forever.
Our Savior and others in the Bible told us what would be taking place on this earth near the end of this age. In Luke 21:28, Jesus said: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Israel becoming a sovereign nation again after almost 2,000 years on May 14, 1948, could be considered the blooming of the fig tree. Jesus said that the generation that saw this would not pass away before the signs would be completed. The main sign remaining is the Rapture of all true believers worldwide. The day, hour, week or even year is not known, but could be any time now. And please know that once the Rapture begins, it will be over in less than one second. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, it states, “In the twinkling of an eye.”
Only those who have already accepted and received Jesus as their Savior will be taken up to meet Him in the air. No one else will be able to call out and be saved before the Rapture is over.
Now is the time to consider your eternity. Undoubtedly, forever with Jesus would be more desirable than eternity in the lake of fire. If you haven’t already, today would not be too early to call out to be saved. He is available every minute of every day to receive your call. Consider your future carefully!
Shalom – Peace be with You!