As the world gets more and more evil, the longing that all true believers have to go Home gets stronger daily. There are some that may say “all believers” would be more appropriate; however, there is a difference. A true believer has called out to Jesus and confessed they are a sinner (Romans 3:23). They know that He paid our sin penalty on a cruel Cross, died, and was buried. On the third day, God raised Him up as a sign that sin and death has been conquered for all who will receive and accept this gift (Romans 10:9-13). A true believer asks Jesus to forgive them and to be their Savior forever. (all emphasis mine)
For someone to just say, “I believe in Jesus,” does not give a real picture of repentance. James 2:19; “You say that God is One; and you do well. Even the demons believe and shudder.” This includes Satan himself, who has done everything he can to undermine the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For a person to say, “I’ve been a good person, and therefore I am owed a place in Heaven,” they’ve missed the point. Good in human terms doesn’t fill God’s requirement of perfection. Romans 3:10-12; “as it is written; none is righteous; no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good; not even one.” (Also from Psalm 53:1-3)
There is only one “human” that lived a sinless life, and that was Jesus. He always remained “fully God” but allowed Himself to become lower than the angels for the time He was on earth (Hebrews 2:7-9) in order that He could be the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but those of the whole world (1 John 2:2). By definition, “propitiation” means to regain someone’s favor or make up for something done wrong; to appease (Vocabulary.com/dictionary).
Jesus was regaining favor for us in God’s eyes as our substitute, being the only perfect sin offering that God could accept. When we have Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, God’s need for perfection is complete. Not because of what we have done, but what Jesus did in our stead. When we confess our sins that we commit until we leave this earth, God sees His Son in us and faithfully forgives us (1 John 1:8-10). We are still liable for any discipline or consequences that may be there, but our forever is established in Heaven with Jesus.
As I have said in messages before, anyone who does not receive and accept this gift will have to answer for every sin that they ever committed when they stand before the Great White Throne, as described in Revelation 20:11-15. Satan, his demons and the false prophet and final antichrist will already be in hell where all the rest of this earth’s unfaithful will end up. Right up until a person’s final breath on this earth, there will be a chance for repentance and to ask Jesus to forgive and save them. One perfect example is the thief on the cross beside Jesus in Luke 23:42-43. After their last breath here, there is no longer any pathway to be forgiven, and their eternity is set.
Going to 1 Corinthians 13:12, we read, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now, I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
The longing to be in the presence of Jesus is the goal of all who are eagerly awaiting His call for us to “rise up” to meet Him in the air and forever be with Him. This is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. At that time, the refrain from “I Can Only Imagine” will come to life.
“Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel; will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall; will I sing Hallelujah; will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine; I can only imagine.”
There is a hymn that I have sung just about all my life, and it comes to mind even more as the end of this age rapidly approaches. The prophecies about what this earth will be like, and the attitudes and actions of the people worldwide, are being fulfilled right in front of us daily. The next major prophecy to be completed is the Rapture of the “church,” which is the removal of all true believers, not any earthly organized religious organization.
“Face to Face” was a poem put to music, that was written by Carrie Ellis Beck in 1898. Although she wrote the words to over 1,200 hymns, this is the one she’s most recognized for.
(1) Face to face with Christ my Savior. Face to face what will it be? when with Rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me.
(ref) Face to face I shall behold Him, far beyond the starry sky. Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by.
(2) Only faintly now I see Him with the darkened veil between. But a blessed day is coming when His glory shall be seen.
(3) What rejoicing in His presence when are banished grief and pain. When the crooked ways are straightened and the dark things shall be plain.
(4) Face to face, oh blissful moment; face to face to see and know. Face to face with My Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so!”
Even in her day, people were watching and waiting for the Lord to come. Several prophecies still had to be fulfilled, but the Rapture was getting closer. First, Israel had to be back in their land, which took place May 14, 1948. That was the “blooming of the fig tree.” From there, the pace has steadily increased, and over the past decade, we have seen changes take place that were spoken of in the Bible as signs of nearing the end of this age. Just over this past year, the speed has increased to put the Rapture in “imminent” status.
There is no turning back, and unlike what the new world order is declaring, it will not get any better. Numerous prophecy experts are saying we could be leaving any day now. “Twinkling of an eye” is less than one second and could occur today. Please make sure you are ready.
It is not too early to call on Jesus and be saved. Satan would love for everyone to just “wait for a later time.” He knows it’s close, even though he does not know the exact day or hour. Satanic activity worldwide is gaining ground, and many of Satan’s followers are out in the open with their beliefs and service to him as never before.
John 14:6 says it all; “Jesus said to him, I am the Way; the Truth; and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Please finally decide this as absolute truth and there aren’t “many ways to heaven.” That is what Satan would like you to believe.
Jesus will turn no one away who calls on Him, and who is truly seeking the Savior. With everything already in place for the antichrist to appear, the Rapture must take place before that (2 Thessalonians 2:7). No one should ever believe the 7-year wrath/tribulation will be tolerable. It will be the absolute worst time ever, and especially for anyone who calls out to Jesus during that time. Be ready, be prepared, be a member of Jesus’ flock (John 10). He’s ready to become your Shepherd and lead you out of the wrath before it hits.
Maranatha!