The huge and formidable highway looked wide and new and it had the finest of gravel on it. It was long and yet, there was not one single sign on it, saying in what direction everyone was traveling. The lines were very long and for the most part, those traveling on the highway ranged from the most powerful, the most glamorous, the most wealthy, the most famous to the hordes of normal everyday people; some of them even appeared to be the poor.

It looked like a huge mass of humanity walking in one direction and I could not understand fully, what I was seeing. It did not appear to be a group with the same mentality and yet they moved in the exact same direction without pause or question. I knew some of them; friends and acquaintances, but the vast majority I didn’t know personally. Yet I knew of them. I remembered seeing pictures of them, even in films or in the news.

Their steps appeared to be slow and plodding, their faces seemed drawn and without a single bit of passion, almost like droids moving in a single mass. Where had all those well manicured faces gone to? It appeared there were lines of tears, stained into the stony facades of their faces, as if they had just left a funeral or burial. They appeared listless, tired and forlorn, as compared to the pictures and films with which they had been involved. Slowly and without end, they plodded along, shoulder to shoulder, caring little to whomever was next to them.

The most notable of them were no longer looking bright or shiny or glamorous and it was almost as if their star-like qualities were dark-gray and drawn; a huge lack-luster had enveloped them. It seemed as if they have lost every ounce of life and only the darkness surrounded them. It was like looking at a huge unending mass of people under low-sodium lights and I could not discern the beginning from the end.

There was no sound, no talking, not even so much as a groan or a whisper, even their footsteps made no noise of any kind, yet they plodded along. Looking from where they began, it was dark and there was nothing discernible, as was the direction in which they were walking…nothing but darkness. Where had all that joy and singing and happiness gone to?

Where were all the flashes of cameras? Where was the red-carpet and the hordes of people being held back. Where were the smiles, where were all the Limos lined up at, leaving the notable to walk along. There were no congratulations, no honors, no trophies, just empty hands hanging at their sides.

As I continued to look ahead of them, I began to see that there was a great fire or at least the light from it. And I sort of felt strange, in that, one never walks to a fire, one runs from a fire! And as I continued to look I began to feel the heat from it, like a huge and fierce fire and it began to sting my eyes and the skin on my face. I felt great sadness and depression, the likes I have never know before!

I also felt such great anger and hatred flowing as if at any moment it would reach out and grab me from where I was standing. Terror shot through my entire body; it rattled me so badly that I could almost feel my body and soul separate. I jerked back. Fear like I have never known in my entire life coursed through my heart, and yet those plodding along on the highway never gave a twitch. How is it that they were so calloused to everything I had just felt, yet they simply walked on.

My nightmare was scary, beyond anything I had ever known and I wondered what all was happening …and then it suddenly changed.

I could see a small, country sort of path; flowers beaming on both sides. And there were people on this path as well. But they were entirely different than those on the huge highway. As the people walked along, I could see smiles and some were even singing. What was so strange to me was as they walked along, their faces and bodies changed…they were becoming younger and more healthy looking.

I tried to look from where they had begun and I could not discern the beginning. It was strange, because the old were younger and the babies were older, like everyone was in their prime of life. When I looked to where they were headed, the light was so bright, it hurt my eyes, sort of like looking at the sun directly.

For whatever reason, I continued to look at where they were headed and the light became even brighter, yet the pain of the light was gone. Those on the path began to jump and dance around, so to speak, but they seemed happy and ecstatic beyond imagination. All of them began to clap and sing and dance about.

The light was like a beacon of love and happiness that I have never known, but as I watched I wanted more of it. I wanted to jump from where I was standing and join these people, it was so contagious and so thrilling and yet it was like my feet were nailed in place. I could only watch and hear.

And again, my view was instantly changed!

I was taken back to the huge highway and I could hear a heinous laugh from up ahead and suddenly it would be mixed with screams of horror and terror. I tried to cover my ears but the volume was beyond comprehension and it felt like it was piercing my heart at the deepest level. Then I could hear moans and groans from that direction, pleas for help shrilled though the air. The agony I could hear almost turned my heart to stone, it was so pitiful.

There was nothing I could do, but I knew that wherever this highway lead to, I did NOT want to go to. I was standing there and I could feel the tears streaming down my face, stinging my face as they fell. I felt so depressed, so alone, without hope. It seemed to drag my heart down and I longed just to see a clear blue sky for just a second.

Now the heat was almost unbearable and the people just kept moving in the direction of the furnace, despite the horrendous heat. As they walked along their faces began to mirror the terror of the direction they were headed. And yet not a single one of them tried to stop or change direction.

I was quickly trying to move away from what I was witnessing but I couldn’t move and if I couldn’t move, I feared I would be found among this huge mass. I began to cry even more and my hands and eyes longed to see the little path, with all the flowers.

“Oh my God!” I began to scream at the top of my being. “PLEASE…don’t let me walk this highway! PLEASE let me walk the country path!” And then I felt like I was half awake and was falling. Fear gripped my heart like a vise. I suddenly believed I was falling into the mass of people on the highway. And then I was wide awake and lying on the floor.

I had fallen out of my bed. My t-shirt was soaked with sweat and the tears were painfully evident on my face. My hair was matted and stuck to my skull like paint. My heart was racing like it would explode at any second and I couldn’t catch my breath. I feared the heat in my dream would sear my lungs. Suddenly, I took in a huge lung full of air, sweet cool air. I felt my heart begin to slow down, the racing was abating. “Thank you Lord for the cool ceramic tile on the floor!”

With trepidation and fumbling hands and rubber-like legs, I managed to stand-up. There were no nails or bolts holding my feet in place, nor was there a highway and masses of people. The screams and horrid laughter were gone as well, but the fear was still there. It was 8:20 a.m. in the morning and I mustered my few thoughts and called my closest friend, Gary. I told him I had just had a real nightmare and was wondering about the Bible verses he had told me about the day before. The ones about the broad and wide highway to destruction and the narrow path to heaven. He said it was in Matthew 7 in the Bible:

Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

I asked him to read it to me, just as its written there. After reading it to me, He asked me if I wanted him to come over and explain it to me. I told him “No! You come over and let me explain it to you in detail!” I stated to his surprise. Twenty minutes later Gary and his wife, Marla were at the door.

“First tell me how to be saved to Jesus Christ?” I asked and he began to tell me what to pray and I slid off my chair onto my knees and began to pray exactly what he told me to say. I prayed like there was not going to be a tomorrow or even another hour. I prayed with all my heart and every bit of my Spirit. I did not want to walk that huge highway.

Before, I had always been the life of every party, pushing the booze and every blasphemous joke I knew and everyone would be laughing. Except my best friend and his wife. Often they would cheerfully give their thanks for a wonderful time, but then said that they had to leave. I would often times remark that they needed to loosen up and enjoy themselves, but that never happened. Despite everything I would say or do, they held my friendship dear to them. Never once condemning me, never once giving up on me and now I am so thankful for all of that.

“So… What’s up? What’s with all the fierce speed here for salvation?” Gary asked me, and his wife just sat there on the edge of her seat waiting for an answer. I began to tell them my nightmare in all its gory details and at times I could see the horror in their eyes and by the time I was finished they were clapping together. Right along with me, because now I would walk that country path with them.

So now, you’re probably wondering if that was me in that dream. Nope, but I know a guy who had it. If for one moment you think that this is just a story to amuse you, it is NOT!

This is in the Bible, not word for word but close enough for me. And my friends, that is what counts, what the Bible says to me and it says almost the same thing to you, but in your heart and in your way. (It’s personal like that.)

My friends, we have discussed at length what Satan and his ilk are up to now days, and since the day Satan and his ilk were thrown out of heaven. We have seen that it is our sin that creates all this mayhem and destruction across the world; the diseases, famines and death. We know that the leaders of all the countries of this world are lost, just as the majority of the people are. And here is the Scripture that points this out, in black and white, from the lips of God to our ears:

Romans 1:18-25: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

This passage of Scripture is profound in and of itself. It categorically places the blame for our fallen situation, squarely on our shoulders…where it belongs! So now, you’re wondering why it is our fault? It is because we never take into account, there are always: “Two Sides to every coin.” Why is it so difficult to understand, that God Almighty chose to create us, to love, honor and glorify HIM? In the same tone, HE created us, so that HE would have a people to love, honor and cherish and take care of? How is it, that this is so difficult for everyone to understand?

Everyone “talks” about harmony and love and yet what do we do when are having a bad day? We then find it so easy to hurt others, in every way conceivable. How many pastors or ministers of any kind, are standing up to the sin in this world and preaching on it? How many of them are preaching about the “narrow road” to salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross?

The people of this world are looking for stability and security, the chance to live a great life and they are seeking this in the words of these pastors and ministers. Yet at the same time, these same pastors and ministers are directing the people to anything and everything…short of Jesus Christ. And the people in the pews are sitting there, few ever listening, most waiting to hear about money or feeling good. Pastors and ministers, stand up! Wake them up. Get them to listen. Time is short. Read to them the Word of God, as it is written. That is why you are in a leadership position to begin with. And you, like everyone else are going to be held accountable…by Jesus Christ!

As a pastor and or minister, your life is NOT your own to do as you please, to discount or perversely change the Word of God…to meet your own wants and desires. You have been given a position to uphold, you have been placed where you are for God’s own reasons. That position comes with a great accountability to God and God alone. The passage above, shows you that. There is NO excuse for doing or saying anything that does NOT glorify the Lord God Almighty.

If you are not able to do that, then get off the podium. IF you tell the congregation anything short of Jesus Christ and HIS cleansing blood for our sin, YOU will be held responsible. Their blood will be on your hands, on your head. Or do you not understand the situation the Lord Jesus Christ had with the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Jesus Christ…said “they were a brood of Vipers.”

The Word of God tells us what the world will be like in the last days, the days just prior to the Rapture and the Tribulation. I do not see one single word in those passages that says anything about finding peace and security, except through Jesus Christ. How many funerals and burials have you ever officiated at, where the deceased has been able to take anything from this world with them? IF that is the case, and we KNOW it is, then why would you preach the “prosperity or feel good” gospel? That is sacrilege, that is blasphemy in the worst way possible.

People…stop playing around with your eternal destiny, read the Bible, accept the truth that you will find there and hold it more dear than your life. Stop being lazy, read your Bible, listen to the Words of God Almighty, believe them with everything you can muster. The passages of the Bible, that describe the last days, the days prior to the Rapture, are all here for everyone to see, it’s all around us.

That being the case, there are going to be millions and millions of people that are “thinking” they are going in the Rapture, but they will not go. Because they did NOT read their Bibles, instead they listened to pastors and ministers who are not saved to Jesus Christ either. They chose the sermons and preachers that told them how loving God is, which is true, yet they failed to show how just and righteous The Lord God Almighty truly is.

What is going to be your excuse? “Well…I didn’t know.”

Have you read your Bible today, have you sought the Lord in prayer, have you asked for His wisdom and discernment? You mean to tell me that you can’t find 15 minutes to read God’s Word and pray? And so one day when you’re standing before Jesus Christ you’ll give an excuse like that? Jesus Christ, could stand there and ask you, “Why did I create you to begin with?” Are you going to try that excuse again? You could say, “Well I was a deacon or an elder, I gave my tithes, I was a member of the church, I said all my Our Fathers and Hail Mary’s.

Do you really think, that all that other stuff is going to work in your favor…with God Almighty? The omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God who is also 100% just and righteous?

Matthew 7:21-23: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Luke 13:23-28: “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”

2 Corinthians 11:13-15: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Wow…don’t ya just hate those “oops moments?” It’s in those moments when you find out the absolute truth and know…you have been wrong all this time. Those are also the moments when you can fall to your knees before Jesus Christ and admit your sin and ask for His forgiveness. Otherwise, as the Verse says above you can count on “ whose end shall be according to their works.” Again, the Bible tells us where and how to find Eternal Salvation…It’s a Gift…you either accept that gift of Jesus Christ or you don’t!