1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
The enthusiastic pastor addresses his congregation:
“Brothers and Sisters, why am I reading these passages of the Bible? Do you understand what these verses are talking about? Let’s dissect them a little and see for ourselves, what they mean and how can we apply them into today’s scenes.
First of all, these passages are talking about the times just before the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ─that happens to be you and me, if you are saved in Christ Jesus! I already know that I am saved and I am hoping and praying that you are, too. Now perchance if you are not saved, you might wanna take an extra special interest in what is being said here.
Ya already know what the skies are like just before we get a gully-washer, right? The skies get all dark and ominous lookin’. Yer kin smell the increased ozone in the moist air, the wind becomes a little softer and definitely cooler, right? Yer kin hear the thunder from way off and you know we are definitely in for it, maybe even a tornado or two. Point is, there are taletell signs right? The changes in everything are letting ya know, somethin’ is up.
That, my friends, is exactly what is happenin’ right there in that verse! Do ya see it? Everywhere…People are going to be saying, “PEACE AND SAFETY,” they’re going to be huntin’ fer it, expecting it, wishin’ and a prayin’ fer it!! And fer a little while, very short at that, they gonna get what they are seekin’ fer!! Now…look at the verse again, “THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH UPON THEM!!”
Brothers and Sisters…the Bible is NEVER wrong!! If God put it in His Holy Word, then HE said it. If HE said it…it will happen!”
(Boom!! He slams the podium!!)
The excited pastor wipes the sweat from his brow and takes some water and clears his throat a couple of times.
“God never does anything to us here on earth without some sort of warning! And why is that? Because HE loves us, but HE will not tolerate all the sin! There is a fine to be given and those that did the infraction… must… ask for forgiveness…of God!!”
(Boom!! again!!)
“IF not, they will be at the center of the destruction, they will pay the price for their arrogance and SIN! Now…HOW STUPID IS THAT?”
(Smaller BOOM!! Everyone jumps!)
“Everyone already knows that it gets real quiet just before a tornado─time to jump yer butts into the fruit celler and hunker down, right? Same thing here! Everyone is going to be talking, wishin’ and prayin’ fer peace and safety! And just like the tornado, they’re going to have a period of peace, just a little time of it! And then all of a sudden, WHAM!!”
(The pastor slams the podium, there’s a big BOOM!!)
“Destruction, the likes that have never been seen on this earth!”
The preacher paces a couple times back and forth behind the podium, gathering his thoughts a little time, so what he just said will sink in.
“Every once in a while, I get some yahoo that will tell me that I don’t know what I’m talking about─that God Almighty is NOT like that! He’ll say God is a loving GOD and HE would never bring destruction on us like that! I know he is scared and upset, I know he doesn’t understand that our GOD, is a just God! I look at him and then ask the question, ‘Tell me why GOD destroyed all the people across the world with the flood of Noah? Or how about the destruction of Sodom and Gemorrah?’”
So far every single person in the church has just sat there looking at the pastor in silence. Then it dawns on them that GOD definitely does what HE says HE will do and that the past proves it!
“I don’t want to stand here and scare the willies outta ya! I would prefer to tell ya about the love of Jesus Christ and get ya to come to the cross and give your life to HIM!
But some of you can’t hear, or you ain’t paying no attention or you’re confused! Others are sittin’ here thinkin’ that they’re saved when they ain’t. They like the atmosphere, the social gatherin’ together! But… They are not saved to Jesus Christ!”
(Wham…He slams the podium!!)
“Brothers and Sisters, you best get this whole thing straight in your heads! You must go to the cross of Jesus Christ, you must take yer old self and hang it on that cross as Jesus Did! You must ask Jesus Christ for HIS forgiveness of your SIN and you must leave your SIN there and never go back for it!!
You must ask Jesus Christ to take over your life and make you a new creation, to give you a new purpose for your life! Then…and only then….will you truly be saved. After that it will never matter to you again, whether you gona die or live. YOU will belong to Jesus Christ and HE is GOD! ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD!!”
(Bam!! He slams the podium.)
“Can I get an Amen?”
The congregation responds with several: “Amen’s.”
“Let us Pray: ‘My Lord and Father in Heaven…we humbly come before you, knowing we are sin filled and need your forgiveness Father. We need to understand Father, that you never say anything…without a reason. For you are perfect in every way Father. We know there are some here tonight that need you Father, to bring their lives in to some sort of meaning, that only you know, Father.
We ask you, Father, to touch their hearts right now, to bring them into the fold with you as the Head. We ask this Father, in Jesus name and for your honor and glory, Father…AMEN!’ Keeping our heads bowed, if there is anyone that would like to come forward and give thier life to Christ, please come forward and let us pray with you. If there is anyone with a need, feel free to come forward and we will pray to the Father above, knowing HE will hear our prayers.”
Once again the line for those seeking salvation, and offering their repentance began to form and many accepted the Lord that night, whether it was out of fear─only the Lord knows for sure─but whatever the reason, we all need Jesus Christ!
Praise the Lord!!