John and Paul are the only two persons mentioned in the Bible that were given actual glimpses of our Heavenly Home (Revelation; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10). After this, they had to stay on this earth until they passed away. Elijah and Enoch were both “raptured” to Heaven, and both have been there ever since (2 Kings 2:9-14; Genesis 5:24). Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross that he would be with Jesus before that day was over (Luke 23:40-43). (all ESV; emphasis mine)

Even though we have been given some descriptions of the splendor of our eternal Home, I firmly believe we cannot ever fully imagine just how awesome and beautiful it will really be. Anything that we might take as being beautiful on this earth will pale in comparison to Heaven. Consider a city with twelve gates, and each gate is made up of a single pearl. Only the true Lord God Jehovah, Creator of the heavens and the earth could accomplish this with just a thought in His mind, and this is only one of the wonders of what awaits us (Revelation 21-22).

While we are told that the Godhead is a “Trinity,” or three distinct entities that are also “One,” we will not be able to fully understand how this can be until we are Home forever. Jesus, while on this earth as fully human, stated in John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” In 2 Corinthians, Paul gives us all three entities with, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The Father is being merciful to us by not showing exactly what Heaven is like. If I were able to actually see the sights John spoke of, I believe I could not bear being here another minute.

Also, we are given the opportunity to choose eternity with Jesus or eternity separated from Him with the devil and all his demons. Some may say this is a “no-brainer,” but God will never force His will on anyone. He reserves a place for every soul that will receive and accept the free gift His Son gave us at Calvary. He allows those who will to develop a relationship with Jesus that will only get stronger as each day passes and then continues when we enter our Heavenly Home. This offer is available to every soul on this earth.

He also allows people to choose this earth and all its so-called pleasures and treasures rather than force compliance. He knows Satan and his evil forces are constantly at work, trying to pull as many souls away from the Shepherd as possible. The fate of Satan and the fallen angels is already set, as given in Matthew 25:41, and they have no pathway for forgiveness. If the Father would force humans to worship Jesus, that would not be a true love, and our God is all about Love.

In every so-called man-made religion, there are so many rules to follow that require many works and donations before any member can attain their deity’s paradise. Sadly, almost all of the followers never really know if they have done enough or not. Our Father, the absolute true God of the Universe, has made it as simple as ABC for us to be “assured” that we are part of the Holy Shepherd’s flock.

We admit that we know we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. That’s Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23.

Second, and probably the absolute most important part, is to believe and have faith that Jesus is the Son of God (John 3:16; John 14:6) who willingly came to this earth to be our only perfect sacrifice that the Father could accept (John 10:18). While here, He became fully human yet was still fully God. He was the only human in the history of this world that would ever live a sinless life.

Finally, as Romans 10:13 states, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

For the best explanation of this, Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “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.”

For anyone who believes they can impress the Father through “works,” please consider Isaiah 64:6; “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Our “acceptance” is based on receiving and accepting the Gift that the Father’s Son provided at Calvary. God knows that no one is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10), so He has provided a pathway to true forgiveness in 1 John 1:8-10. We are saved by the “Grace” of the Savior’s gift and the “Mercy” of the Father’s forgiveness.

Please know, I am eagerly looking forward to actually seeing My Jesus in person for the first time. Patience is not one of my strongest “virtues,” and I look forward to the Trumpet of God sounding and hearing the shout of the archangel. I can only imagine just how wonderful it will be.

Speaking of this, Mercy Me released a song in 1999 called “I Can Only Imagine.” There was even a movie made of this. The part of “will I be able to speak at all” is definitely on my mind. I just know that after having called out to Him to be My Savior about 35 years ago, I feel I have a true relationship with Him, and I look forward to finally getting to thank Him personally for saving a sinner such as I. In the past, I have included a line or two in a message but have not given the full song lyrics. Please consider the following words:

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.

(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.

(refx2) I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you; I can only imagine.

I know I’m special, but so is every person on this earth who would receive and accept Our Savior. No one has sinned so greatly that His shed blood cannot cover them. A-B-C applies to everyone. The unforgivable sin is to take your last breath on this earth without having Jesus as your Savior. At that point, it will be too late to call out for forgiveness, and Revelation 20:11-15 will be your judgment.

The end of this age is rapidly approaching, and all true believers will be removed prior to the Tribulation/Wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Some may say they have the exact time and day that we will be leaving, and their arguments sound accurate, but Jesus Himself said no one knows the exact day or hour. He told of the signs that would be taking place just before He comes, and every one of them is present right now.

Taking the time to call on Jesus today will save a lot of misery later. He could be calling at any moment. This is the absolute most important decision you could ever make. As stated, He will force no one to receive and accept Him; and likewise, He will turn no one away who truly calls on Him to be their Savior.

Maranatha! Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com

Sometimes I come across something another person has written and just wish I’d been smart enough to make the point myself. Barring that, the next best thing is to highlight the issue and give credit where it’s due.

There are numerous sound, doctrinal reasons for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. I’ve previously discussed many of them in my writings and Awaken Bible Prophecy Update videos. I also did an audio series of twelve episodes of Rapture Readings earlier this year. If interested, you can check out the first of these commentaries here. To listen to additional ones, look for the blue background on the title slides on my Rumble channel in this link above.

What I want to relate today is from another blogger’s post written a couple of years ago that I missed or didn’t appreciate when I was reading her series of articles on this subject. The title of blogger Heather’s article is End Times #8: A Pre-Trib Rapture is the Most Merciful Option. Heather is an excellent writer and is best known for her fervent stance against Calvinism. Given her experience with a Calvinist church and her subsequent research, I’d definitely put her in the expert category and would put her up against any committed Calvinist. Because she’s a thinker who also considers approaches to Scripture outside the box, she can be very persuasive.

The case that Heather makes in the linked post deals with those who will be left behind once the Rapture occurs with Jesus coming in the clouds for His true church – His ekklesia of called-out believers.

Here’s the question: What is it after the Rapture that causes untold millions to turn to faith in Jesus? This is one of the most important issues for believers in the various Rapture timing options to consider. Here is Heather:

“If the rapture is mid-trib or post-trib (which is possible if the theologians who believe this are correct), then the believers of the church age will face terrible persecution at the hands of man and Satan. But if this were true, what incentive would there be for unbelievers to turn to God during that time while the Christians are being persecuted? Why would people side with the Christians if there was nothing to prove to them that the Christians are right? They would have no real reason to think that the Bible was true all along or to desire to turn to Christ in the face of such persecution.

But if the rapture is pre-trib and before the mass martyrdom starts, then the world would have the biggest wake-up call ever and the greatest proof that the Bible is true, causing many people to turn to God despite the fact that they know the persecution is coming. The proof of God, the proof that the Bible is true and predicted it all, would be so shockingly clear that they would know that they have no other option than to choose God or choose eternal death. And many people would be willing to choose God then, to face death so long as they know they will have life eternally.”

Process this for a minute. Let’s say the Rapture is mid or post-Trib, or there is no Rapture at all, as some like to hallucinate. EVERYONE enters the Tribulation period (under the assumption that there IS a defined 7-year Tribulation, which some also deny). The UN Agenda 2030, in concert with the World Economic Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution, moves forward according to their schedule and desires. Build Back Better charges ahead at full speed.

So, here we are, fully committed Christians, half-hearted ones, and all the heathens of the world experiencing the wrath of God through the plagues that He begins raining down through the opening of the Seal Judgments. Not only that, but we’re at the mercy of the globalists with their devious endeavors to depopulate the world.

Now, some say that because Christians will go into and through the Tribulation, God will supernaturally protect us as He did with Joseph’s family when they went down to Goshen in Egypt, overstayed their welcome, and had to be delivered through the Exodus via the ten plagues of God upon Pharaoh and his people. That’s a rosy prognostication, but there’s absolutely nothing in Scripture which paints this picture – nothing textual that one can cling to so as to substantiate this hypothesis.

That being the case, what differentiates the Christians enduring this terrible time from anyone else? We’re in the same lifeboat that is being swamped by the massive waves of destruction and death pouring over the sides of our craft. Given this scenario, how is it that so many unbelievers become martyrs in the Lord during the Tribulation? If there’s nothing the pagans supernaturally see about the Christians enduring the same fate they are, why should anyone profess faith in Christ and actually die for Him?

But, as Heather brilliantly points out, the pre-Trib Rapture changes EVERYTHING. Surely there will be many misleading explanations for the sudden vanishing of millions of people worldwide, from aliens to Mother Gaia striking back against those who create such disharmony on the earth. However, word will get out. Many of those remaining will have been evangelized. There will also be those fleeing the chaos and scarcity who end up in the homes of Raptured believers. Since many of us are preparing for that day, these Tribulation refugees will find the Bibles, the videos explaining the Great Disappearance, the letters of greeting to “You who have been left behind,” as well as the stores of food, gold, and weapons.

Yes, these latter items will be welcome and necessary, but because of the confusion that will reign, the spiritual sustenance we’ve provided will draw many and provide the needed answers for their lives. Not to mention the evangelism God provides via His two witnesses, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, and finally, the angel that proclaims the Gospel flying throughout the earth.

The seeking left-behind masses will come to an understanding that it was truly the work of our supernatural and loving God who snatched us from the midst of these horrors. The Holy Spirit will prick their conscience, and they will pursue deeply the things of Christ who sacrificed Himself and gave this astounding gift of sanctuary from the storm in the prelude to eternal life. These seekers will come to know that because of their poor choice of rejecting Jesus, they must partake in this punishment, yet they will also realize that even if they lose their lives for the sake of Christ, they will gain them forever by declaring Him as their Savior and Lord.

BECAUSE we were Raptured prior to all that will come during the Tribulation, many heathens will forsake themselves and choose Jesus Christ. Will it be incredibly difficult and scary? Absolutely. But they will understand that if they continue preferring the ways of the world and submit to Antichrist’s lies, they will be doomed to Death and Sheol. The Rapture will be the initial overwhelming evidence that God is real, the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus is worthwhile, and they too can cling to that hope in the confidence of faith.

The mercy of the pre-Tribulation Rapture is one more aspect of the grace of God – one more opportunity that He gives to this lost and dying world to profess the Name of Jesus.

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Gary Ritter website: books & blog

http://garyritter.com/

Kindle Vella story: Tribulation Rising

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099Z462WD