THE TWINKLE OF AN EYE IS 1/1100 (ONE-ELEVEN HUNDRETH) OF A SECOND AND THAT IS THE SUDDENESS OF THE RAPTURE. The Doctrine of Imminence is one of the New Testament’s most profound subjects. The idea plainly warns us of the necessity of living every moment with our heart set on His return. We must never just believe in the Rapture but we must live on the edge of this world with one foot a few inches above the ground. That’s spiritually speaking of the great hunger to see Jesus and to leave for our “Homeland” at any twinkle.
The Son of God filled His messages with the warning and hope of His return. He trained His Disciples to be so in love with Him as the Son of God that they would never love this world. The early church showed great evidence that they expected Him in their lifetime. Apostle Paul had to teach the Christians not to despair over those that died because the Lord would come for both the dead and the living. He stated, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14) The sainted millions have watched for Him ever since He arose to ascend into the clouds!
Our Savior and Redeemer wanted us to understand how absolutely glorious His return would be. He also was very plain about being ready and having on the wedding garment. Luke recorded His powerful warning, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” (Luke 21:32-35) He spoke of the ‘Fig Tree Parable’ and stated that this was a mystery to announce the generation to witness His return to snatch out the Bride.
We live in a very privileged generation with powerful evidence that this is the time for His sudden appearance. When you couple the events in Israel with worldwide signs it takes utter spiritual blindness to miss the picture. No possibility of a One World Government has ever existed before. The world leaders are totally bent on uniting the world economy and government. America has been the last holdout to “One Worldism.” That is being ripped out of our control by the current powers in Washington.
Jesus warns us that this coming period of darkness would be like a snare. “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” (Luke 21:35) He also spoke of the sleeping church that would have to be aroused to meet Him and the great number that would be without oil and light. “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” (Matthew 25:5-6) The church world refuses to believe that much of their membership is totally unprepared to go. It will only be after the trumpet that the multitudes will wake up to their drunkenness. The sorrow of that is too much to think about. The “cheap grace” preachers will be the most hated crowd left.
Please consider the necessity of total surrender to Jesus Christ. Listen to the Holy Ghost speaking by Apostle Paul. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (II Peter 3:10-14) “Without spot and blameless” sounds very plain to me. Why should a believer dare to believe anything else?
The twinkling of an eye is a beautiful thought. It was Apostle Paul that used those words. “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.” (I Corinthians 15:51-52) There will be no announcement. This event will be so sudden as to be startling. The moment it occurs will finish the selection. It’s either I’m watching and ready to go, or I or you will be left.
Joseph R. Chambers