In a song recorded by the late Jim Reeves, we have the lyrics, “This world is not my home; I’m just a-passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” With all that’s taking place in this world today, this fits perfectly. (ESV – all emphasis mine)
Now add to this song the first stanza of Beulah Land by Squire Parsons, and we get even closer to an event that is just about to take place. “I’m kind of homesick for a country to which I’ve never been before. No sad goodbyes will there be spoken. For time won’t matter anymore.”
Please know that in no way am I going to set a date or time, but Jesus Himself told us what to watch for just before He returns for us. The return will be twofold; first, the Rapture, then about 7 years later, His actual return to earth to rule from Jerusalem for one thousand years. The event all true believers are looking for is the “taking us up” to meet the Savior in the air and avoid being caught in the 7-year wrath/tribulation, as promised by the Father.
There are some people who think this is all foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18), but the day will come that they will wish they had listened a bit more. God does not waste time on foolishness, and He has always fulfilled exactly what He said He would do.
Going to 2 Timothy 2:22-23, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know they breed quarrels.”
It would be safe to say there’s a whole bunch of quarreling going on today.
I received a post from a reader that included the seven Jewish feasts that take place each year. In the spring are Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Pentecost. These are all described in Leviticus 23, and these first four have been fulfilled by Jesus’ death, resurrection, and giving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Then, there are the fall feasts of Rosh Hashana (Yom Teruah), Yom Kippur and Tabernacles. These are said to represent the “Blowing of the Trumpet; Day of Atonement and Established Kingdom. These are celebrated but have not been fulfilled as yet. That will be the day and hour that no one knows. I am not saying the Rapture is destined to fall on any Jewish day of celebration, as God’s appointed time could be any day, any hour, and even any second now.
The main thing we are to watch for are the “signs of the end of this age.” The post that I received asked if there might be something different this year than in years past. How about global chaos, increased levels of crime, violence, suicides, immorality, natural disasters, threats of war, and plagues? How about earthquakes in places where they normally do not occur? If the news media would broadcast the real truth, we could see the Bible is accurate to a fault. If more people would believe in God’s word, there would be celebrating and joy worldwide in anticipation of being oh so close to going Home.
One more time for Luke 21:28; “When all these things begin to happen, look up, for our Salvation is near.” Matthew 24:44; “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Habakkuk 1:2-4 asks hard questions, and an answer is in verse 5; “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to You “violence,” and you will not save? Why do You make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.”
And then God’s response in verse 5; “Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
It would be difficult for anyone to convince me that the weather changes, fires, so-called pandemic, and whatever else are strictly coincidences. People are turning away from Jesus and turning toward earthly junk faster and faster. Satan and his demons are in hyperdrive.
It’s as if our Creator is trying to get our attention and just maybe cause us to seek repentance. He doesn’t want to see anyone condemned forever and will gladly accept all who would truly call out to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:13). There are revivals taking place, but not so much in America. They are in countries such as Iran, China, North Korea and Africa, just to name a few. Those are places where Christian persecution is out in the open, yet people are still calling out to Jesus to be their Savior. Presently in Afghanistan, the Taliban is checking people’s cell phones, and if a Bible app is found, that person is immediately killed.
America was founded because of religious persecutions, and one of the Bill of Rights issues is “Freedom Of Religion,” or the free exercise thereof. There is also the Right of the People to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
This amendment is so misquoted that sometimes it totally loses its original design. “Establishment of Religion, or the free exercise thereof” specifically states all can worship or not as they choose. The only time this should be challenged is if any particular group of worshippers is being persecuted or in the event that a “religion” promotes human sacrifice. The idea of freedom from religion is something that has been going around for about two decades from the anti-Jesus groups.
In Matthew 24:11, Jesus said, “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” Then, 2 Timothy 4:3-4; “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth, and wander off into myths.”
With just these verses, would it be safe to say Jesus, Paul and others were reporting exactly what is happening today? It’s getting more difficult to find an organized evangelical church that is strictly providing God’s true word. People are being told what they want to hear, and that excludes sin that is in their lives. A song years ago had the line, “Don’t worry; Be happy.” Some will be “happy” all the way to the Great White Throne. Peter tells us to always be prepared to give a defense to anyone who asks why we have such Hope, but to do so in a respectful way (1 Peter 3:15).
There are studies today that show people under 40 are turning away from the truth and toward a pluralistic worldview that says Buddha, Muhammad and Jesus are all equal ways to Salvation (Probe Ministries). That study also showed 30% of the people interviewed believe Jesus was not sinless while He was on this earth.
Those of us who still believe in the “ABC Pathway” to Salvation have just about “worn out our welcome” here. First and foremost, God could only accept pure, sinless blood for our sin-sacrifice, and only He could provide this for us.
We must admit (confess) that we are sinners, Believe Jesus is the only true Son of God that willingly gave Himself to die on a cruel cross in our place at Calvary, and have faith that God raised Him from the dead. Finally, we must call on Jesus to be our Savior and to forgive us so we can be with Him forever. Verses that cover all this are John 14:6; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:1; and Romans 10:9-13.
Any time a sinner repents, this earth may give it a “ho-hum,” but the angels in Heaven rejoice for us (Luke 15:10). I would so much rather have accolades from the Heavenly Host than from all the humans on this earth.
Time is getting closer, and every sign given in Matthew 24, Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3, and 1 John 2 through 5 are here right now. All who have followed the ABCs need not be concerned when that “twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52) takes place because our Jesus has already prepared a place in Heaven for us (John 14:1-3).
Those who refuse to accept the Savior will be separated from Him forever in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The “Don’t Worry – Be Happy” can have a very wonderful meaning for all who are truly a part of the Savior’s flock (John 10).
Don’t be left out and left behind; call on Jesus today because tomorrow could be too late.
Come, Lord Jesus.