Starting with 2 Peter 3:3-4, “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation’” (ESV – all emphasis is mine).

Isaiah 5:20-21; “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight.”

Then, 2 Timothy 4:3-4; “for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

In Matthew 13, Jesus gave the parable of the seeds. He speaks of the Sower, who would be our Heavenly Father, and those who spread His true messages. The seed would be the gospel of our Lord and Savior, and the soil represents our hearts and our readiness to accept or reject His word.

In the parable, some seeds were sown on a path, on which there was no opportunity to take root. They are trampled underfoot or eaten by birds before there can be any growth.

The rocky ground allows the seed to start taking root, but at the first sign of any trouble or persecution, the seed dies as it has no deep roots.

Those sown among thorns take root, but are choked off as they grow. This represents allowing the cares and troubles of the world to choke out any real growth.

The good soil allows the seeds to take root and grow into true spiritual fruit. These are the ones who have truly received and accepted Jesus as Savior and live out their faith in spite of the lures of worldly things.

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 give us events that our Savior said would be taking place near the end of this age. Today’s news is full of all the events that are listed. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul tells about the negative attitudes that will be present near the end of this age, and each one is getting more and more obvious every day.

The Rapture of all believers is the one event that has not taken place yet. This has to take place so that the ultimate antichrist can make his appearance. Because the Father has promised that all true believers would not enter the wrath, also known as The Tribulation, as given in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:20, we’re told that we will not be here. The “Restrainer” (Holy Spirit) will be taken out of the way in order that the evil one and his false prophet can put this earth through the worst seven years it has ever seen. They are totally controlled by Satan himself.

The “Rapture” or taking up will be over in less than a second according to 1 Corinthians 15:52. It states, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last Trumpet.”

It should be noted that some skeptics have said there’s no Rapture as that word is not in the Bible. While this is true, the word “Trinity” is not mentioned, as well as the word “Bible.” That does not mean they don’t exist.

The Bible does record three events where a “taking up” took place. Genesis 5:18-24 records Enoch was taken up; 2 Kings 2:1-11 records Elijah taken up in the presence of Elisha; and then Acts 1:9-10 records our Savior was taken up in the presence of His apostles. Each of these events could have stated they were “Raptured.”

Because of Satan’s negative influence, there are those who actually believe that our Heavenly Father is limited in His capabilities. However, for anyone who has studied and believes His word, we know He has three definite traits. He is Omniscient or “all knowing,” Omnipresent or “everywhere at once,” and Omnipotent or “all-powerful.”

When Paul tells about the event where all believers will rise up to meet the Lord in the air in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15 51-53, and that everything takes place in the “twinkling of an eye,” our Father can definitely accomplish this.

For everyone who has ever lived on this earth, and for those who will live to the absolute end of time here, there will only be one of two final destinations – Heaven or Hell.

Those who lived from creation up to Calvary that were in the will of God, their souls went to a place of peace described as the “bosom of Abraham” in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

From Calvary to the end of time here, the souls who were in Christ will be with Him, as stated by Paul in Philippians 1:21.

For all who were out of the will of God prior to Calvary, and all who did not receive or accept Jesus from Calvary to the end of time on this earth, they will attend the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. Everyone at this judgment will learn what degree of punishment they will have for all eternity. There are no pardons or suspended sentences there.

The other Judgment is in 2 Corinthians 5:10 – The Judgment Seat of Christ. No one at this judgment will go into the lake of fire but will lose or gain rewards for what they did while they were alive on this earth. We will still be in eternity with Jesus forever, worshiping and serving Him.

Which eternity you will be in is absolutely up to each and every individual. Our Heavenly Father is completely fair and will force no one either way. Whichever path you choose will be yours to select. If you take your last breath on this earth without having Jesus as your Savior, it will put you in that line at the Great White Throne.

Therefore, I would highly recommend each and every person consider where they would be if they died this very minute. Forever is never-ending, and your choice should not be put off. No one is guaranteed another day here.

Romans 10:9-13 gives the simple steps to Salvation. Our Savior is never too busy to take a call asking His forgiveness, and to be asked to be our Savior. He would love to add you to His precious flock.

Please understand we will sin in these human bodies as long as we are on this earth. However, the Father has provided a pathway to forgiveness when we do sin, as given in 1 John 1:8-10. You can be assured of not going through The Tribulation by receiving and accepting Jesus as your Savior today.

Being left behind is so unnecessary. Being prepared to leave at any minute would be the best decision you could ever make.

Hope to see you at Home!

Come, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com

 

The sad news of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk shed light on the elephant in the world’s living room. It exposed society’s underlying hatred of anything good, especially true Christians. Let’s take a realistic look at the reason behind the hate and what the Christian response should be.

Although the hatred of believers is nothing new, the crescendo of vitriol and violence is. In the coming days, much will be said about the need for civil discourse, the open exchange of ideas, and free speech, which are good things, of course. But despite our best efforts to appeal to humanity’s ‘better nature,’ the problem remains, and it’s the utter depravity of the human heart.

In John 15:18-25, Jesus warned about the world’s hatred of His followers and explained exactly why they will hate us. They hate us because we’re not of the world, our identity is in His name, and they hate Him and the Father. Jesus said that the world would actually love us if we belonged to it. So here we are, roughly twenty centuries later, and the hatred of Christians has only increased, as was just shown in vivid evil detail, with the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Some people might blame the violence and vitriol directed at Christians on a lack of sustenance. In our modern society, we have the benefit of plumbing, food, and medicine. I am aware that there are areas of scarcity and lack around the globe. But in the West, sustenance is generally within reach, if not plentiful. As a minister, I’ve seen firsthand the amount of practical and tangible help available to people in need in the inner cities, if they take the time to find, ask for, and receive it. So hate doesn’t come from a lack of help. It also doesn’t come from a lack of information or education.

When Jesus told His followers that the world would hate them, it was at a time when education was generally limited to those with wealth or connections. We know from history that the Roman world was a time when a majority of the people were uneducated. So maybe the lack of information and education was the reason for the hatred of Christians. That wasn’t the case because the people fanning the flames of hatred were the authorities and the educated.

But now we have a wealth of accumulated knowledge and terabytes of digital information at our fingertips. For the first time in history, social media platforms have enabled unlimited human interaction and connectivity. The opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and beliefs with the masses has arrived, and with it comes the unmasking of the wicked human heart 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Just a few years ago, there was a level of civility and decorum expected in both public and private settings. In just the last decade, empathy and human kindness have given way to widespread apathy and hatred, and this is on full display on the internet. But now the angry anonymous keyboard critic has rematerialized in the public square as the hater in your face. Society is in a perilous state when buying a particular brand of car, voting a certain way, or telling the truth becomes a dangerous act. Ironically, most so-called tolerant people are anything but when it comes to differing views on social issues and faith in public. We used to be able to agree to disagree. Disagreement used to get you cancelled, now it might get you killed Philippians 1:28.

Thoughts on politics, free speech, and where society is heading are understandable given recent events. Still, the fact remains that there are people in our world who hate good and love evil, and because lawlessness is increasing, the love of many will grow cold. The response of true Christians isn’t to bring the fight to our enemies or to repay violence with violence. Far from shrinking back, we should speak the truth in love to those who are unloving, with gentleness and respect, giving a reason for the hope that we have. We must pray for our enemies while understanding they have an enemy of their souls who wants to destroy them. Christians should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, using spiritual discernment as we navigate society as salt and light Matthew 5:13.

A time is coming, if not already here, when standing for Jesus will increasingly cost us. We might be told to tamp it down, not to speak in that name, or from that book. Our response is to listen to God rather than people, let the Spirit speak through us, and pray for boldness Acts 4:29. Such a response will result in bringing glory to God in this world and for eternity. Every blessing as you make Jesus known. Let us remember to pray for Charlie Kirk’s family.

All for Jesus,

Howard