Concerning the turbulent times in which we live and the fact that the Rapture of the Church is imminent, we need to carefully consider what path we take in life; a path leading to eternal life, either in heaven or in hell. How we live - either carnally or spiritually - mirrors our true heart condition and determines our future. You cannot follow Jesus and live like hell at the same time. We are now in the last of the last days, the end times. Wake up and live for God before you wake up one day in hell instead. But before you die, if you are not a true believer in Jesus, you will be "left behind" after the Rapture to face the most horrendous of times ever during the Tribulation period of 7 years. There is hope, however, if you turn to God and follow Jesus with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength,
First, the commentary on Brexit below by Gary Stearman, emphasizes how we are living in the last days. Mr. Stearman touches on the New World Order (one global government, one global economy, and one world religion that is soon to take over and change life as we know it, that is, if believers are not raptured before then); he also speaks of the European Union and the Revived Roman Empire, the latter of which is prophesied in the Bible. Actually, the New World Order is also prophesied in God's Holy Word. You will find this commentary very interesting.
I keep up with the news mostly from alternative media that is Christian, and if it were not for the promises and hope found in the Bible, I would be very fearful of the future. God's Word says the Rapture is the "Blessed Hope" at Titus 2:13 : "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; " (KJV) . By the way, the Greek construction of this verse favors the translation: "The great God, even our Saviour , Jesus Christ." This is a clear testimony to the deity of Christ (see Romans 9:5).
The Rapture is spoken of at 1 Thessalonians 4:17,18 where it says: "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The expression "caught up" is from the Greek word "harpazo" and the Latin word "rapturo" or "rapio", the latter being from which our English word "Rapture" is derived. Both words mean a carrying away, a snatching away, or being caught up. In 1 Thessalonians 4:18 it tells us to "comfort one another with these words." It is a great comfort to believers to look forward to the Rapture and the fact that we will always be with the Lord thereafter. The Rapture is not a fearful event to true followers of Jesus. If you are not a believer, then you should be fearful of being left behind when the Rapture occurs. In another future post, I will talk more about the Tribulation that follows the Rapture.
There is another passage we need to be aware of found at 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 which follows: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." This proves the immortality of the human soul, contrary to what some cults teach.
What about the children and babies when the Rapture occurs? Many point to an "age of accountability" as the determining factor. In other words, if they are old enough to understand and to make a clear choice for or against Christ. The Bible does not specify such an age of accountability; but God is merciful and loving and just, and extremely young children will no doubt be taken to heaven during the Rapture. To me, it depends on the individual child, what level of understanding they have, not a certain age. Charles Spurgeon believed that "a child of 5 can as truly be saved and regenerated as an adult." Some believe that the mentally handicapped will also be taken to heaven when the Rapture occurs. God is full of grace and mercy; he is loving and holy. He always does the right and just thing.
Since I firmly believe the Rapture is at the very door, I will be posting more here about the end times and Bible prophecy as time goes on, Lord willing. And He is willing that I do just that, if I live so long. Times are urgent folks! So many people are caught up in the everyday affairs of life and of pleasure as well as working more and more to pay the bills and to make ends meet, that they seldom think about God or the Bible, much less about Bible prophecy. There are all kinds of information on the Internet to warn us about how evil and corrupt society is now, and we need to think of the state of our soul and where we will spend eternity. The solution is a close, intimate, personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Then you have a secure hope and the promises of God to sustain you.
Our hope in Christ guarantees our safety.
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail;" - Hebrews 6:19 (KJV)
