In An Instant, Changed Eternally

There is very common misconception among people, especially believers, that there will be time between hearing the trumpet announcing the Lord’s coming and His actual appearance to repent, get saved or make amends for all the horrible things done in this life.  Everything about this idea is wrong and will lead to much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the future.

To begin with, the only trumpet that pertains to Christians is the trumpet that is recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15.  In both instances the same event is being described.  This event is commonly known as the rapture or gathering together.  Many thought until recently that this event was for all believers, but the Holy Spirit has made in perfectly clear that this is for the remnant; the faithful in Christ Jesus.

Only those who remain faithful to Him until the end will even hear this trumpet.  No unbeliever will hear anything.  Those who claim to be in Christ but have proven themselves to be unfaithful will hear nothing.  Those who insist on straddling the fence, playing both ends against the middle and otherwise live life in the state of being lukewarm will hear nothing.  For all those who refuse to fully commit themselves in this current life to Christ Jesus; the silence of God will be the only thing ringing in their ears. 

History is full of accounts of people on their deathbed finally supposedly getting saved.  Whether they really repented and confessed with their mouth that Jesus was their Lord and that God raised Him from the dead or not; only God knows.  But, the vast majority of those who claim to have “seen the light” and given their life to Jesus moments before death do so only to get an insurance policy just in case all the crazy Christians really were right.  It is highly doubtful any of those people really were saved.

Before the trumpet sounds and we which are alive at His coming meet Him in the air; Gabriel the arch-angel shouts.  What he shouts is not known, but it will probably be something like “WAKE UP”, for the Bible says the dead in Christ rise first and THEN we which are alive and remain hear the trumpet.  All those who have lived before us and died as faithful saints will hear the shout of Gabriel to get up.  No one else hears the shout besides those it is intended for.

Once the dead in Christ have put on immortality then we which are alive have the greatest experience anyone could ever have.  In the amount of time it takes to split an atom; in the amount of time it takes for the eye to twinkle; in a literal INSTANT, the following happens:

1.       Our physical body is vaporized

2.       We receive a body fashioned unto that which Jesus received after the resurrection       

3.       We are translated to a place in the air

4.       We are in the presence of Jesus seeing Him face to face

In other words we are sitting in a chair looking out the window.  We hear a trumpet and in an instant we are totally changed.  Our entire physical make-up is changed.  We are literally vaporized and the body of sin and sickness and death is disintegrated instantly and at that same instant we receive our eternal perfect spiritual body that will never feel pain, never get sick and never die. 

In that same instant we receive the perfectly renewed mind that is incapable of thinking evil or ungodly thoughts.  We are, in an instant, totally and 100% changed.  That is the promise of 1 Corinthians 15 and we have every legal right to stand on that promise and believe it with all our heart and mind.  We are changed into what Jesus already is and has been since God raised Him from the dead.  In the amount of time it takes to blink; we go from having a body that is full of imperfections, pain, disease and death to a resurrected and glorious body as perfect as Jesus Christ’s.

In that same instant we depart this earth and instantaneously are transported into the very presence of Jesus Christ.  One minute we are looking out the window and the next instant we are looking directly into the eyes of Jesus Christ.  Nothing electrifies me faster than the realization that at any moment, the next thing I know is that I am in my Lord’s presence, face to face.  Now we see through a glass darkly, but then “face to face” 1 Corinthians 13 promises us. 

This event should really be called the appearing of Jesus Christ because that is exactly what happens.  The trumpet sounds and the next instant we see the Lord’s face in the air.  Let me ask you the most important question you have ever been asked in your life.  Think about this, don’t get distracted.

If you somehow knew that in 3 seconds you were going to see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face; how would you feel in your heart?  If there was anything other than absolute anticipation and humility you need to repent.  1 John 3 gives us the promise of our heart not condemning us at His appearing.  We need to do whatever it takes in our fellowship to get to the point we have NOTHING to be ashamed of.  We cannot be as Adam and Eve and dread hearing the footsteps of our God. 

Anything causing you shame, fear, anxiety or dread needs to be dealt with NOW.  DO NOT WAIT for the next revival.  Do not wait for the next church altar call.  Do not wait for your next vacation or day off.  NOW is the time to deal with conclusively any and all sin and darkness in your life.  You know what causes you shame.  You don’t need anyone else to tell you.  You know what sends chills down your neck when you think of seeing the Lord Jesus face to face.  Whatever it is that is causing you shame and fear DEAL WITH IT NOW.

If your heart condemns you, then you have no confidence before Him at His coming.  You won’t be there.  You won’t hear the trumpet.  You will still be waiting to deal with situations long after it will do any good.  If you are born again, you have laid before you the offer to be changed when He appears.  Do you want it?  He wants you to be there with Him.   He wants you to see His glorious and face and gaze into His loving eyes.  He wants you to hear Him say; “Well Done, good and faithful servant”.

What could this life hold that is any greater than the prospect of being changed and embarking on an eternity of glory?  What charm and appeal could this life offer that could be any greater than that of being for ever more with our Lord?  Cast off the sin that does so easily draw you off course and run with patience the race that is set before you.  You have need of patience that after you have stood faithfully in this life for Him, you might receive His reward.  He wants you to have it.

Victory Through Faith; 1 John 5

We can quote scriptures all day long to each other about being “more than a conqueror” but unless one knows HOW to be such a thing, what good is it.  What is one to more than conquer?  Who is one to conquer?  In what arena is this referring?  Paul wrote this verse in Romans 8.  It was the same Paul who described just some of his ordeals in 2 Corinthians11; why did he not “more than conquer” all those things that made him suffer?

Strong Christians write their personal battles on this site all the time.  They have been taught the Bible and can quote it with the rest of us.  Yet, they are still facing life and death situations which in their minds many times have no clear cut solutions.  Are we to blame them as being a bad Christian because they are not “more than conquering” their personal enemies?  Much of conservative Christianity does just that.

We all fight battles everyday of our lives.  These battles may be in our minds with doubts, fears, anger or bitterness; or they may be physical battles with sickness and disease.  The battles may be with a sour relationship with one’s spouse or parents or children or boss or pastor or neighbor.  The battles may be with the pressure of lack of money to pay bills or the temptation to go after the big bucks through gambling or unethical jobs.  The battles we all face rip us up and tear us apart many times for we are human.

Jesus Christ is our Savior.  He paid the price for all our sin so that we can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life.  He gave His life to win for us freedom from the penalty of sin which is death.  He now lives in us as the “hope of glory” and has given us the promise that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.”  Yes, these are wonderful promises to know, but applying them in everyday life is certainly far more difficult than simply memorizing the verse.

John wrote these amazing verses in his first epistle.  In 1 John 5:4,5 it says:

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

The Greek word for victory is “nike” which means conquest or victory.  The word for overcome is “nikeo” which is the verb form of “nike”.  This word is used 6 times in 1 John and another 12 times in Revelation.  Obviously this is a concept related to the end times. 

Notice what this victory is in reference to.  It is not speaking here in 1 John 5 in reference to the devil, antichrists (as in 1 John 4:4) or other spiritual enemies.  It says the victory is over the world.  And what allows us to receive this victory?  Our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Please look at the following two verses closely in 1 John 2:13 and 14:

“I write to you fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.  I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.  And you have overcome the wicked one.”

It is truly very significant that in both verses that which is said about “fathers” is that they have known Him who is from the beginning; “In the beginning, God…”  Isn’t it interesting that in reference to “young men” the statement concerning overcoming the wicked one is put in the past tense?  How have they been able to overcome the wicked one?  Because they are strong and the word of God abides in them. 

It is the strong young men who are to serve in the Lord’s army on the front lines complete with the assurance they have the victory over the wicked one.  The older “fathers” are to simply rest in their experiential knowledge of all God and Jesus are, can do and have done.  The little children know only that the Father God loves them. 

Time and space do not allow me to go into the spiritual significance of these verses other than to say they provide the basic structure for these current hours as far as responsibilities.  Fathers (older believers, both age and maturity) are the commanding officers and elders; the young men who are strong and able to handle the stress and strain of hand to hand combat are the ones who are to be out there daily reaching out to the lost and fighting the enemy at every turn.  The little children are to bask in the Father’s love and concern themselves with love and prayer and compassion.

The verses we saw in chapter 5 were for all believers.  Unlike chapter two, the victory is not over the wicked one but over the world.  There is a huge difference.  What is the world?  1 John 2:16, 17 says:

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Through our faith in Jesus Christ being the Son of God, we have victory over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  As far as everything else, we need the young men to rise up and be the great warriors who take on the wicked one, for they have been given the promise of victory.

We can win the battles in our minds, bodies, finances and relationships if we manifest our faith in Jesus Christ.  But, if we veer off course and allow the pollution of this world to corrupt our minds, bodies, finances and relationships; we are in for difficult times for sure.  It is of vital importance in these last times that we put on the truth of God’s Word and allow His pure light to bathe our hearts and minds and give us the rock solid faith upon which we can STAND and see the victory God has promised us. 

Dream of Impending Darkness Upon the Land

There is an uneasiness that is creeping over my soul.   I feel a curtain is being pulled shut.  What was left of the light is being blocked by something thick and oppressive.  I see swarms of what appear to huge flying insects, each carrying something that looks like a case under their arm.  They are flying in formation and the closer they get the louder the buzz becomes.

As they approach the shore, they split and go different directions.  Some to the north and some to the south.  Yet, in spite of splitting, they are as numerous as before.  As they cover the sky, the day becomes dark as night.  They literally block the light of the sun. 

Screams are heard as the first of these demons lands and disrupts the entire landscape of a town.  All goes haywire and nothing works as it was designed.  People panic for there is no day.  A massive cloud hovers over the town and then moves on.  This process is repeated over and over again around the country.  One town after another is thrust into darkness and then seemingly loses its ability to function.

There is a numbness spreading over the land.  A type of resolution that there is nothing that can be done to hinder or stop this plague.  At the back of the swarm there is the faint light of dawn but the light is distorted and things are not as they appear.  There is no longer the sharp lines of demarcation between black and white.  Gray is the predominant color and haziness is the predominant view.

No one knows what has just happened, although everyone knows something of profound importance just did.  Confidence has been replaced by doubt and boldness with fear.  The mighty have been brought back to earth and the poor have been squashed beyond recognition.  The land is barren and the shelves are bare.  The markets are empty and the roads are untraveled.  There is a hush that lies over the land that is missing all sounds of industry and traffic.  Commerce has ceased and all stay huddled in their abodes.

What has happened, a few dare ask, as they tenderly walk outside in the murky twilight.  Where are the lights, the roar of big trucks, and planes taking off and trains roaring down the tracks?  Where are the kids normally yelling and screaming?   Where are the sirens of police and ambulances and fire trucks going about to save people’s lives?  

What has gone here and what is to happen.  There is no electricity, no radio and no television or computers.  Even the dogs have ceased to bark and nowhere is found the sound of life.  People are still there for the hushed sounds of whispers can be heard coming from dark houses and even darker buildings.  No one wants to move lest they be discovered by a foe they do not know.  No one can call for help.  No one is injured or trapped in demolished buildings or heaps of rubble.

Finally a baby’s cry breaks the silence.  Then there is another and another.  Cries can now be heard erupting from all over the town.  Wailing and moaning as if people were crushed and in intense pain.  Yet, there is no physical trauma and nothing to account for the cries filled with pain and sorrow. 

People are awakening to the stark reality that life as they knew it was over.  Whatever had blown through was so devastating it demolished all that everyone had built their lives upon.  Nothing worked, no running water, no air conditioner, no vehicles, no computers, to telephones and no light.  As the sun starts to set, the reality of the impending total darkness starts to settle in.  The wails turn to screams as countless people must confront their worst nightmare; a night with no light.

Into the town ride messengers of the most High God delivering a message directly from Him.  The message is not what anyone wants to hear.  The message is one of repentance and turning to the truth and not that all will be well.  The people riot and rip the messengers off their horses and kill them.  They wanted a message that the lights would be turned back on shortly and heard just the opposite. 

Screams pierce the night air as helpless women are raped in their homes with no one to protect them.  Houses across the town are pillaged by robbers who take everything of value with no one to stop them.  Fights erupt as people trip over others, unable to see them lying in the streets.  There is no reason and no comfort to be found.  Only gloom and dismay hangs over the town.

After what seemed like thirty hours of night, the sun did come up, but not as they expected.  It lacked the brilliance they were used to.  It was not cloudy, but the sun looked like it was shrouded in clouds.  There was not the heat that usually came with the sunrise.  Everyone was cold, tired and scared.

There was no news for there was no media.  There was no way to find out what had happened or if it were going to get better or worse.  Lack of knowledge aroused even greater frustration and fear.  Panic set in as people literally went insane. 

The sick soon died for lack of medicine.  The weak soon died for lack of food.  The infirm soon went crazy unable to cope.  The ruthless soon went on rampages fulfilling every evil desire they ever imagined.  There was no order and there was no compassion.  Every man was for himself and every man sought to destroy his neighbor before he was destroyed. 

Drawing up a “Rapture Will”

I was talking to a close friend this morning and a subject came up that I am sure not too many people ever think about.  We were talking about our mutual absolute belief that Christ is coming back very soon and that we will be gathered together to meet Him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The more we talked, the more excited we were getting about the prospect of what lies ahead.  Suddenly he asked me if I had gotten around to drawing up a “Rapture Will”.  I had not, and I was severely reproved for it.  We had talked of this subject before and he had quite some time ago met with a Christian attorney and drew up his “advance directive for use after the rapture”.

Here is the scenario.  What if what many of us believe in with all our hearts actually comes to pass shortly instead of many years from now.  What if next week we suddenly hear the trumpet and the next thing we know we are standing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with our new bodies in heavenly places?   What if the rest of the world then embarks on its seven year appointment with tribulation and wrath?

What happens to your home?  What happens to your vehicles?  What happens to your investments as well as your debts?  What happens to your earthly belongings?  What happens to your unbelieving sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandparents and grandchildren? 

Once a reasonable amount of time goes by, the millions of people who suddenly vanish from this earth in the rapture will be declared “legally dead” by the world’s judicial systems.  Without some type of will, everyone’s estates will go into Probate and probably end up in the greedy hands of devilish people.  Thus, the idea was hatched to draw up ahead of time a legally binding document spelling out exactly what you wish to be done with your personal property in the event you vanish and are declared legally dead, as well as directives regarding other matters of importance to you.

The reason my friend was upset with me is because since my wife and I do not have any children and both my parents are deceased and my wife’s parents are quite elderly and live a thousand miles away; our house and belongings would end up in a very clogged Probate system and never end up blessing those we would like to bless but who won’t be in the rapture.

I thanked my friend and told him the first thing I would do would be to write this post for others and make an appointment with a lawyer to get a will in general, but specifically a will designed for the unique circumstances associated with the rapture.  Think about it, who will be left around here to “inherit” your estate if your immediate family will be with you in heavenly places after the rapture?

Many will read this and think I got into the prescription cough syrup this morning for it will sound insane.  But, I happen to believe with every fiber of my being that there is a rapture event coming, it is coming VERY SOON and I WILL BE INVOLVED IN IT.  If you believe something to be true, then there must be the corresponding action to prove it.

I do not want this house, and everything in it to fall into the hands of evil people just because I was too lazy to spend the 30 minutes and a couple hundred dollars to get a legally binding directive/will drawn up.  Of course everyone has different circumstances, so others may demand more involved legal work and higher fees.  The point is, whether “rapture will” or just a plain and simple will; as Christians we should do all we can to make sure that which we have accumulated in this life goes to whom we desire it to go to when we leave this life.

I can honestly say that I live my life with the full expectation and anticipation that at any second I will hear the trumpet calling me HOME.  Long ago I decided that there was NOTHING in this life that appealed to me and was worthy of my utmost.  Thus, long ago I committed myself to give my utmost for His Highest.  The proof of this commitment is found in my willingness to live in such a way that this world does not own my life.  Jesus Christ owns me.  I am HIS property.  My life is not my own for I was bought with a price. 

When the trumpet sounds, I am going HOME, but wisdom dictates preparing ahead of time to make sure my temporary home ends up blessing someone in my extended family or special people who blessed my life but are not qualified to be a part of the rapture.  This is not being negative; this is being SMART and part of being “wise as serpents”. 

I have fulfilled part one of my commitment and soon I will make sure I start the ball rolling to get the rest done quickly.  To be a good soldier, Timothy says we cannot be entangled in the affairs of this life.  Taking the time to get a “rapture will” drawn up actually allows us to be freed from one of those affairs that could get tricky depending on how things play out in the next few months.

If nothing else, I pray this very unusual posting today gives anyone reading it something to think about.  If we really do believe with all our hearts in the rapture, that it is coming very soon and that we will be in it; then it behooves us to do those things necessary to put our faith into action.  That is what I am doing, and this time it’s a done deal.