Another Step Closer:: By Dennis Huebshman

The world is getting closer and closer to the end of this age. Even though we are not privy to the exact day or hour or even minute that the Rapture will take place and the 7-year tribulation will start, world issues are starting that show we are on the Biblical track leading to those events. (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)

First, we must understand that only the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit know exactly when all will happen, and our concept of time does not apply to them. It could be tomorrow or even several years, but all will take place eventually, just as prophecy tells us it will. Our part is to be prepared, as we’re not guaranteed another day here.

As a reminder, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 tell us of the coming of the Lord to call us up to meet Him in the air.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep [dead], that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the Trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, 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” (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).

All this will take place in order that our Father’s promise to keep all true believers from the wrath/tribulation will be kept (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10). In fact, in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, we’re told that the evil one that is being restrained by the Holy Spirit will not be released until the “Restrainer” is removed, and when that takes place to release the ultimate antichrist, all who are true believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth to meet our Savior in the air.

We’re told by our government that America is the most powerful nation on the earth. However, we are not mentioned in any end-time scenario. Looking at today’s headlines, it’s obvious this country is not the same as before and is on a pathway toward collapse from within.

Just over the past couple of decades, there has been an obvious turning away from anything to do with our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. False prophets are proclaiming there are “many ways” to heaven without Jesus, even though John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 specifically state otherwise.

Going to 2 Peter 3:2-3: “that you should remember the predictions of the Holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.”

Sadly, some of the rhetoric is coming from pulpits that previously were Bible-based but have changed to “appease” the audiences.

Jesus knew this would take place even over 2,000 years ago, as He stated in Matthew 7:13-14 that there would be more souls on that broad pathway leading to destruction than on the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life with Him in Heaven.

Paul stated in 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.”

Evidence today shows this to be happening more and more in our Bible community.

Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.”

Our Heavenly Father wants everyone to be able to reach repentance, and as stated in 2 Peter 3:9, He is patient toward us, not wanting anyone to fail. There are steps we must follow, and the only hard part about them is believing this leads to our Salvation.

First, we must admit that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. Also, we must believe that Jesus died on that cross and was raised from the dead by the Father who accepted His Son’s pure, sinless blood sacrifice to cover the sins of those who would receive and accept Jesus as their Savior. Finally, all who truly call on the name of the Lord to come into their heart will be saved (Romans 10:9-13).

This does not mean we will never sin again; however, as a part of the Shepherd’s flock, when we do sin and confess this to the Father, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:8-10).

Also, all who have Jesus as their Savior have the Holy Spirit within them, as mentioned earlier in this message. When it is time to meet the Savior in the air, all who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit will be taken up to meet our Savior and to finally be changed into our immortal bodies.

On the other side, all who take their last breath on this earth without having received and accepted Jesus as their Savior will receive a place in the line at the Great White Throne Judgment, as given in Revelation 20:11-15.

Forever in Heaven, or forever in the lake of fire made for the devil and his angels. Our Heavenly Father will force no one either way, but will honor each individual’s choice. He would definitely prefer that all would receive and accept His Son, but those who refuse will spend eternity separated from Heaven.

Today would not be too early to choose Eternal Life with Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Tomorrow could just be too late. This is the most important decision you will ever make.

Shalom! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

[email protected]

The post Another Step Closer:: By Dennis Huebshman appeared first on Rapture Ready.