From 1969 to 1992, there was a program on television called “Hee Haw.” One of the more popular skits was a song with the line, “Gloom, despair and agony on me! Deep, dark depression, excessive misery! If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all! Gloom, despair and agony on me!” From there, the performers would sing about all kinds of mythical issues that would cause the negativity. (ESV – All Emphasis Is Mine.)

Taking into account all the increased hate and evil that is happening in the world today, anyone who is on that broad path leading to their eternal destruction could very well identify with that song (Matthew 7:13-14).

Those who are on the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life with the Savior will also feel the stress of the changing times. However, we have an advantage of putting our faith in what our Savior said in John 16:33: “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We have something positive to live for and look forward to.

In Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 we have a list of things that would be taking place near the end of this age. None are very pleasant at all. In fact, anyone who professed faith in Jesus was subject to persecution and even martyrdom. That started when Jesus was on this earth and has continued all the way to today’s world.

Ironically, much of the persecution of Christians came from the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were supposed to be the “Holy religious leaders” of that day. One of the most zealous of the Pharisee group was Saul of Tarsus, who went above and beyond in his persecution of the “Way,” as early Christianity was called. After his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, his name changed to Paul, and his zeal was redirected at being a true devout follower of the Savior. His list of all the negative actions and attitudes in 2 Timothy 3, leading to the end of this age before the tribulation, are all present in this world right now.

While this information being given is in no way trying to set a date or time that the seven-year tribulation will start, we can see that God’s word is accurate and true in letting us know that it is rapidly approaching. We just have to remember His timing is different than ours.

This also tells us that the taking up of all true believers who have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior is even closer than that awful time. This also should let us know that this would be a good time to become a member of our Savior’s precious flock.

Instead of “Gloom, Despair,” we can actually say, “It Is Well With My Soul,” and take this opportunity to make the best decision ever that our eternal soul will be with Jesus in Heaven. The only alternative to this would be eternity in the lake of fire with Satan (Revelation 20:11-15).

In 1873, Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888) wrote the words to the song, “It Is Well With My Soul.” Please consider the content of this powerful hymn.

1.) When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like deep billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It Is Well, It Is Well, with my soul.

Ref.) It is well with my soul; it is well, It is well with my soul.

2.) Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul.

3.) My sin, Oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more; praise the Lord; praise the Lord, Oh my soul!

4.) Oh Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back like a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend; even so, it is well with my soul.

The circumstances behind this hymn would almost seem to contain more hardships than anyone could bear. However, it is obvious that Spafford and his wife, Anna, put their faith and trust in the Lord.

Spafford was a successful lawyer, yet he lost his fortune in the 1871 Chicago fire. His 4-year-old son died of scarlet fever in 1870. In 1873, he had sent his wife and four daughters by ship to Europe, and was to meet them later. That ship collided with another and sank, killing all four of his daughters. His wife sent a telegram that contained two words – “Survived Alone!”

He and his wife traveled to Jerusalem and set up an American Spiritual Colony there in 1881. Though they truly missed their children, they firmly believed all of them were safely in the arms of the Savior. Spafford died of Malaria in 1888, and is buried in Jerusalem. (Source – Wikipedia)

As stated above, we do not know the day, hour, or even minute when the Trumpet of God will sound and a shout from an archangel will take place (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). That will be the instant that all true believers will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air and be with Him forever.

All who have not actually received and accepted Jesus as their Savior will be left behind for the worst tribulation time this earth has ever experienced.

With this in mind, it would be a very wise choice to have Jesus as your Savior before the Rapture takes place. Romans 10:9-13 gives the steps, and they aren’t complicated. The hard part is believing that’s all there is to it. One note that I’ve made before: when it states, “confess with your mouth,” this does not eliminate anyone who is mute. God reads our minds as if we were speaking out loud to Him.

The point to make is, the day and hour that the Rapture takes place is unknown. Therefore, it would be a great idea to do this soon. Also, we’re not guaranteed another day on Earth. If for some reason a person were to take their last breath today, having Jesus as their Savior keeps them from the White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.

The Father will not force anyone to accept the Sacrifice given by our Lord and Savior at Calvary. He will honor the decision of all who willingly do so.

He will also allow each person the option of spending eternity in the lake of fire that was specifically made for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41).

In 2 Peter 3:9, we’re told, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Once the Father starts the Rapture process, no one will be able to call out to be included if they haven’t already become a part of the Savior’s flock. They will understand what the term “Left Behind” really means.

Take a moment, if you haven’t done so already, and consider becoming one of all the true believers in the Savior who are just waiting to go Home. Right now, the Savior will accept your call 24/7. Once you have done so, you too will be saying – “It Is Well With My Soul!”

Come, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com

 

Not to pile on here, but can someone explain to me how popular ‘Christian’ author Phillip Yancey can be considered a Christian?

This has nothing to do with his recently revealed eight-year affair with a married woman that he just admitted to. Given his theology, that really is no big surprise. It has everything to do with the fact that he has no understanding of the Gospel whatsoever.

How could a guy who has written volumes of allegedly Christian books, and is loved and adored by many claiming to be Christians, still possess no ability to share the Gospel with those he claims to love and care for?

The Gospel is only five words! Christ died for our sins. That means Jesus, who is God in human flesh, died as the perfect sacrifice for our violations of God’s moral law. If you believe and confess these five words, you receive the gift of faith and are far less likely to dilly-dally with other men’s wives. Or cheat on your own. Especially at his age.

Once you receive the gift of faith, there is no lust that cannot be overcome. There is no need for counseling or exorcisms to overcome such sins as adultery or homosexuality; just a simple confession of the Gospel and a reliance on the power of God is all you need.

Yet there is the rub. He dared to call himself a Christian ‘teacher’ even though he was ashamed of the Gospel. That is why it is no surprise that God turned him over to the evil of adultery.

As evidence of my assertion that Yancey is not a Christian, one need only examine his ‘question and answer’ article, copyrighted in 2009, on the subject of homosexuality.

The questioning begins with this:

In your book, What’s so Amazing about Grace? You tell about your friendship with Soulforce leader Mel White. What is your position on gays and lesbians in the church?

Apparently, Mel was a ghost writer for Christians, and, even though he came out as homosexual, remains one of Yancey’s closest friends.  This is our first proof that Yancey was never a Christian. There can be no fellowship between righteousness and lawlessness.

It seems that Mel, who was a pastor and professor at Fuller Seminary, hid and repressed his homosexuality. Once he came out, Yancey’s close friend Mel became a prominent gay activist to lead others into the pits of hell. After divorcing his wife to pursue his homosexual desires, he left his family to the tender mercies of Satan.

According to Wikipedia, his son is bisexual.

It is highly doubtful that Yancey ever called Mel to repent. If he did, and Mel refused to repent, then Yancey would be forced to treat Mel like a heathen, which would end their fellowship. So, we can assume that never happened.

Yancey then laments the “hate letters filled with venom” that he received from conservative Christians due to his friendship with Mel. Since we do not have access to these letters, we can only assume these letters were filled with the Gospel that Yancey despised.

He heaps derision on conservative Christians while self-righteously extolling his ‘love and compassion’ for his gay friend. He stood with the man who was in rebellion against God, and, in my opinion, hurled hate and vitriol against those who stood on the Gospel.

Those who seek to replace the Gospel with their phony ‘love and compassion’ are incapable of Christian virtue.

Yancey jettisoned the Gospel and went for the “loving and nonjudgmental” approach to dealing with sin. He offered this same foolishness, while withholding the Gospel, to Mel’s boyfriend.

He apparently learned this innovative new gospel at Fuller Theological Seminary.

He treated both rebels with respect, compassion and love as he escorted them tenderly into God’s holding cell that was created for those awaiting the Lake of Fire.

Yancey then proceeds with the old trope, ‘Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, so it must be OK.’ However, Jesus did not mention bestiality either, but we can be reasonably certain he was not a big fan of buggery.

Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Those who have faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross fulfill the law of God.

If Yancey believes that homosexuality is approved by God, why not adultery? There are a limitless number of sins that can be justified under the heading of being ‘loving and nonjudgmental.’

The Holy Spirit of God made it clear that, according to God’s moral law, homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. He also made it clear that those who engage in it will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Yancey was warned by Scripture not to be deceived on this matter.

Yancey concludes that he absolutely believes that gay people can be committed Christians. The problem with this heresy is that God turns people over to the evil of homosexuality as an act of judgment, to defile themselves due to their lack of faith.

Those who do not have faith cannot be called Christians.

When a man sins, he becomes a sinner like the rest of us. When he justifies sin, he becomes an evildoer. He becomes an enemy of the Gospel because he is blocking the path to repentance.

Homosexuals are under God’s judgment, and a true Christian, who truly loves these people, will not withhold the Gospel from them.

Unfortunately, since Yancey is ashamed of the true Gospel, which is why he proclaimed an alien gospel, his eternal destination is bleak.

The Gospel is a simple concept. It is divine wisdom; it does not come from men. Only those whom God has given the gift of faith understand it.

Those ‘Christian authors’ who pervert it have earned eternal damnation.

www.gospelist.net