Way back in my school days (1950’s – 1964), we had a cheer at sporting events that went: “Two Bits; Four Bits; Six Bits; A Dollar – All for (school name) stand up and holler!” At that point, everyone would stand and yell “Hooray” at the top of our lungs. Can you just imagine the shout that will be going up when all Believers are taken up to meet Jesus in the air? For those who don’t know, 2-bits is a quarter or 25 cents. (Scripture ESV – emphasis mine)
There’s going to be shouting for sure, but no one that will be left behind will hear it or be involved. Looking at 1 Corinthians 15:52-53, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last Trumpet. For the Trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”
One dictionary definition states that “twinkling of an eye” is the time it takes to blink once. Several other sources say it’s actually too fast to measure and would be counted in nanoseconds. Each nanosecond is one billionth of a second (Oxford languages / Miriam Webster.) For those who believe that the Rapture can’t take place so fast, nothing is impossible for our Heavenly Father.
To put my “two bits” in at this point, once the Rapture starts, it will be too fast to measure. For those who actually believe they will be able to call out to be saved when the trumpet and shout take place, that won’t be a possibility.
Sadly, there are many more souls so caught up in earthly things that they have made no plans for their eternity (Matthew 7:13-14). Even though it doesn’t seem like it right now, our time on earth isn’t even “a twinkling of an eye” compared to the eternal life we all face. With this in mind, I invite all who are reading this to take a brief moment and think about the only two options that everyone has.
The first option is for all who accept Jesus’ offer of eternal Salvation. The steps are found in Romans 10:9-13 and basically are: Admit we’re all sinners in need of a Savior; Believe that Jesus is the only one that fits that title (John 14:6); and if we Call out to Him to forgive us, He will do so, and we will be saved. One must receive and accept the Gift given to us by Our Savior. To try to buy or earn His gift is an insult to Him.
Before anyone tries to say they’re not a sinner, please read Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23. When it says “all,” that includes every soul that is on earth, has ever been on earth, and will ever be on this earth. The only exception is our Savior, Jesus the Christ. His time here was totally sin-free, and He completely fits the title “Christ” or “Anointed One.” He is the only “human” that could ever fulfill the Father’s need for a pure-blood sacrifice that could cover all the sins that will ever have been committed on this earth. Just thinking of the sins I have committed in my lifetime, and knowing that Jesus paid for my pardon with His blood, is totally amazing to me.
Even more amazing, He paid for everyone’s sins, and the cost for us mentioned earlier is to receive and accept His gift. Sounds like something that no one would refuse, but also, as stated, more will reject Him than accept Him.
That leads to the second and only other option available. For anyone to take their last breath on this earth without Jesus as their Savior, their eternity will be absolutely miserable.
First, look at Matthew 25:41. Jesus tells of the “eternal fire” prepared for the devil and his angels. Then, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10, and Revelation 20:11-15 give the final destination of the antichrist and false prophet, Satan himself, and finally the long line at the Great White Throne. That line started forming with the beginning of earth’s time and will go through the Millennial Reign of Jesus.
All who were out of the will of God from creation to the crucifixion will be in that line. All from Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that will not have received and accepted Him as their Savior will be there also. As stated, that’s all the way to the end of the time remaining on this earth.
Please note, no matter what false prophets may try to tell you, all who enter the Lake of Fire will be there forever. There is no pardon or suspended sentences. They will not have an advocate to speak on their behalf as all Believers have. They will be responsible and will account for every sin, great or small, they ever committed throughout their time on this earth.
Logically, one would think that everyone would really give some thought to becoming a part of the Shepherd’s precious flock. For all who truly receive and accept Him, they are “reborn” to a new eternal destination, and all their sins will be forgiven.
In fact, Psalm 103:12 gives us the assurance that “as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”
Then, when – not if – we sin after being saved, we have 1 John 1:8-10 and 1 John 2:1; “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1:8-10). “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father; Jesus the Christ, the Righteous” (1 John 2:1).
We were given this pathway because God knows all of our weaknesses. He loves us so much that He provides this for all who have Jesus as their Savior. Once we leave this earth, we will have forever immortal, imperishable bodies and a mindset such as our Savior that is absolutely sin-free. No more falling into temptation ever. Just living and loving and serving our Lord and Savior. It will be totally beyond any description we could come up with in earth terms.
Just seeing how many changes have taken place over the past couple of years should be an indicator that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly. In Luke 21:28, Jesus told us that when all these things “begin” to take place, we’re close to going Home. Each day, this earth turns more and more evil, and all the attitudes Paul gave us in 2 Timothy 3 are here right now. Anyone who wishes to put off calling on Jesus is choosing to gamble with their eternal souls to the delight of the devil.
Please know that your soul is the most valuable part of you that will ever exist, and the Father will not force anyone to accept eternal life with Jesus. He leaves the choice up to each and every person individually. As given in 2 Peter 3:9, He doesn’t want anyone to fail but will honor whatever choice we make. It is our decision of who we will serve. It will either be Jesus or Satan. There is no third option available.
Jesus sacrificed Himself so we could have the opportunity to live with Him forever. He has even personally prepared a place for all His flock as given in John 14:1-3. Satan only wants to pull souls away from the Savior and will use every evil means to do so.
Today would be a great time to join the Great Shepherd’s flock of John 10. His sacrifice was for everyone, not just a few – John 10:16. The gift has been totally paid for and is ours for the asking.
Call now before it’s too late. You will be eternally thankful that you did.
Shalom!