First of all, allow me to provide some synonyms from the thesaurus for “imminent:” about to happen, looming, coming up, forthcoming, pending, impending, in the offing, on the cards, on the agenda, on the horizon, just round the corner, in the stars, in the pipeline, and at hand. The one antonym is; distant.

How do you feel about Harold Camping’s failed Rapture prediction? The non-Christian world is having a field day. I have read several of the secular world’s comments, and they are obviously even more adamant in their opinion of us Christians; i.e. we are all ignorant and a few bricks shy of a load. Our elevator does not reach the top floor. We are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. It has been confirmed by Mr. Camping and his followers that none of us have enough sense to come in out of the rain. Need I say more? I think not. I’m sure you get the point.

On the other hand, I can see where many good Christian people are totally embarrassed, and why they would shy away from even mentioning the Rapture to others. Why associate them selves with this obvious cult leader and suffer the ridicule? Is it any wonder that we, who know the Rapture is true and will happen, find it difficult in helping our own Christian brothers and sisters in Christ to see the reality that the Rapture will, in fact, happen, at God’s chosen time?

I have mentioned two groups thus far; (1) the non-Christian world, who believes more by the day that we Christians are all ignorant kooks and good for a laugh, and (2) Christians, who do not believe in the Rapture, or are either ashamed to say they do.

I asked in the second paragraph of this article, “How do you feel about Harold Camping’s failed Rapture prediction?” Actually, this is his third failed prediction, and I feel confident that he is now working on his fourth. Allow me to give you my take.

First or all, any Rapture-believing Christian knew for a fact that there would be no Rapture on Mr. Camping’s predicted date. Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:32-33) I do not bet, but if I did, that would be the one day that I could bet that the Rapture would not occur, and I would win.

Some of you may remember a scene in the Cecil B. DeMille movie, “The Ten Commandments”, starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brenner. Pharaoh, Rameses II, played by Yul Brenner, has come back to his palace after watching God destroy his army in the Red Sea. He and his Queen, Nefretiri (or Nefertari), played by Anne Baxter, are seated on their respective thrones when Nefretiri smiles (like the Cheshire cat) and says to him in the most sarcastic tone one could imagine, “His God? The priests say that Pharaoh is a god. But you are not a god. You are even less than a man! Listen to me, Rameses. You thought I was evil when I went to Moses. And you were right. Shall I tell you what happened, Rameses? He spurned me like a strumpet in the street. I, Nefretiri, Queen ofEgypt! All that you wanted from me he would not even take! Do you hear laughter Pharaoh? Not the laughter of kings, but the laughter of slaves on the desert island!” Do you hear laughter? Oh yes! It’s coming through loud and clear, thanks to Mr. Camping.

Harold Camping is not the first to make failed predictions for the Rapture, and he won’t be the last, unless maybe it happens before I finish this article. It is people like him, and so many others, that Satan has used to deceive mankind. I have no doubt that Satan is behind this whole charade, laughing hilariously at the confusion he has caused. Satan and his minions laugh. Sadly, for those without Christ, the laughter will be turned to tears when the Rapture does occur, and it will happen, at God’s chosen time.

The first thing that came to mind when Mr. Camping announced his Rapture prediction was the result we are now hearing, and also something Peter said,

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4) These two verses and the results from this charlatan, Mr. Camping, indicate to me that this too can be considered a sign of the last days preceding the return of Christ for His Church.

When will the Rapture occur? I haven’t a clue, except it will happen when God is ready for it to happen. I will say this. God makes it clear that we cannot know the day or the hour, but I do believe we can know the season, and the season seems to be upon us. How long is the season? I don’t know. Are we at the beginning of the season, the middle, or near the end? Again, I don’t know. I do know that Jesus was very displeased with the Pharisees and Sadducees for not recognizing the signs of His first coming to earth. Does it not make sense that He expects us to recognize the signs He is showing us today of His near second coming and the Rapture preceding it? “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:1-3)

I am aware of Jesus’ statement to the Apostles just prior to His ascension back to Heaven. “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:7) Since Scripture cannot contradict itself, in comparing Matthew 16:1-3 with Acts 1:7, I do not believe Jesus is saying we cannot recognize the signs He gives us, but He is saying that the Father has control of the times and seasons, and they are in His hands. Also, again, we cannot know the day or the hour. Further, when the season does arrive, He will show us the signs we need to know for that season, in order that we may know that we are in that season.

Therefore, what we have just witnessed simply strengthens my belief that our departure may be sooner than we think, because Jesus also said, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” (Luke 12:40) The hour we are in would certainly qualify, since we and our Bridegroom are now the world’s laughing stock. No one would expect it. But, I must caution. How long is the hour in question? At what part of the hour are we? Only God Himself has those answers. We do not know, but we should be watching and be prepared. In the meantime, there is much work to do. As Paul would say, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Let us press on, and be looking up. The Rapture is still imminent.

Grant Phillips

grantphillips@windstream.net

When investing in our financial future, it is wise to not put all our money in one place. However, I did read of one fellow who invested his money in five different lottery tickets instead of one in order to diversify. He still lost it all. I can’t imagine why.

I recently wrote an article entitled “Straddling The Fence.” I guess you could call that diversification. Obviously, it doesn’t work in the spiritual sense.

Our eternal destiny is one thing all of us had better be very certain about BEFORE we die. Once we die, there is no turning back to right a wrong. The decision has been made, and it will stand for all eternity.

We cannot diversify spiritually in preparation for what lies beyond. What I mean by that is that we cannot face God after death with a few eggs in the basket of works, a few eggs in the basket of other gods, a few eggs in the basket of religions, etc., and then ask God to pick the one He likes best. We are either for Him, or we are against Him. There is no ‘splitting hairs.’

Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30)

Please take note of what the Apostle Paul said in the following verses:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-10)

Obviously Paul is speaking to the church of Galatia, but the same message holds true to all, saved or lost. Let us be certain of what we believe, because there is only one Gospel. I’m putting all my eggs in God’s basket (so to speak) because I know only His words are true.

The test of life has one question for us all to answer, and there is only one answer to this one question. The question was asked by Albert B. Simpson in his hymn “What Will You Do With Jesus?”

“What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be; Someday your heart will be asking, What will He do with me?”

So what is the correct answer? Let’s look at a few responses.

I was a Baptist (or Methodist, or Buddist, or Muslim, or Catholic, etc.).

I was a member of XYZ church.

I walked the aisle.

I was baptized.

I did more good than bad.

I just live and let live.

I believe a little of everything so as not to offend anyone.

I was a sinner and asked Jesus to save me.

There are many answers, but only one correct answer. Which one have you chosen?

When people stand before God after death, I’m sure there are probably thousands of reasons they will give before Him. Some will have their eggs in several baskets, none the right one. Some will have all their eggs in one basket, but the wrong one, and some will have all their eggs in God’s basket and it will be the right one.

I repeat there is only one Gospel. All the other so-called gospels are false. Sometimes they are partial truths and other times they are outright lies from Satan. If we are depending on anyone or anything other than what is spoken in God’s book, the Bible, we are on the wrong path.

If we are using the Bible but ignoring what is stated within its pages, we are on the wrong path. Why do I say that? I say that because many religious organizations use the Bible, but ignore what it says. Many individuals proudly claim the Bible as their stand, but ignore the Truth within.

The Bible is all about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is God, and He is the only way to be saved. No one, no matter how good they may be, can stand before God and be accepted by Him, apart from Jesus Christ.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

There is only one method to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, and that is by placing our total trust, our faith, in Him and His works to save us. Anything beyond that will not be accepted as admittance into Heaven.

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)

Political correctness is destroying our society, families, nation, morality, and even watering down the Truth of the Bible. We long to please everyone and especially not offend anyone. We do so however at the cost of Truth.

We want to dabble in a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and totally ignore what the Bible continues to say. We want our pretty little baskets filled with all colors of eye-pleasing eggs while we tiptoe through the tulips of spiritual deception.

Simply put, we want to please everyone, but the only one that matters; i.e. God. So we place our very souls on the line, gambling that we’ll be okay on the other side of the grave. Unfortunately for many, they will find that God stands adamantly upon what He states very clearly in the Bible. His way is not going to change just to suit us. Instead we need to change our thinking, and get it right with Almighty God today.

Let us throw the basket away, as far away as possible and stop playing around with the eternal destiny of our souls. As already stated, there is no repentance on the ‘other side’ that will cancel out the judgment that awaits those who trampled underfoot the precious blood of Jesus.

God’s word will never change for any reason, and certainly not to accommodate our pet beliefs. He is the same today as He was when His words were penned in the book we call the Bible. His way is still the only way.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com