In the Shadow of the Cross

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Are we living in the last days? Will next 10, 15 or 20 years be the last for earth as we know it? No one really knows that answer to that question.

What I do know is that my Bible tells me that the next large event in God’s calendar of events is the rapture of His Church. It is my opinion that the Rapture of the Church and end time events are connected. (Oh boy, I can hear all the clicks from here, all of you clicking off your computers). What is this rapture nonsense? If you are non-Christian reading this article, I can’t say I blame you much. There is so much written on this subject. Before I wrote this article, I looked up this topic on a general internet search, and I couldn’t believe the junk out there. Many think this is some sort of game or magical countdown to midnight, or some over-stuffed Y2K fanaticism. Folks this is not some trivial concept or idea about UFOs snatching people.

For those of you who are looking up the word “rapture” in your concordance, you may not find the word in you bible. It is a translation of the concept ‘caught up’ found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. I don’t believe this is Christ’s Second Coming, in my opinion and many others, this will occur after the Great Tribulation detailed in the Book of Revelation. It is my opinion that the rapture will occur before the tribulation period, and this article is not intended to persuade any point of view to those who are mid-trib, or post-trib. thinkers.

So many people are interested in this theme. We see in movies, magazines, books, television. There seems to be quite a frenzy about the apocalypse or the end of the world and all that it entails. Why all the interest? Are people genuinely interested from a spiritual standpoint? Do they think they should attempt to reevaluate their lives and are wondering if they have time to do so? Maybe there is a nagging feeling in all of us that we are getting closer and closer to the edge at each pressing day… or maybe it is the Holy Spirit nudging us to wake up.

Christ does exactly that in Revelation chapter 3, where He warns the Church in Sardis to wake up. The Church in Sardis had a reputation of being alive in Him, but they were dead spiritually. So Christ, with exclamation tells them to, ‘Wake up!”

..”Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of God. Remember therefore, what you have received and obey it and repent. But if you do not wake up I will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I will come to you”

(Revelation 3: 2-3 NIV)

Folks this is time to take God seriously. I believe His Word (the canonized version) is precise, infallible, pure and true, and written for our benefit. The Rapture will occur. How do I know this? Because God said it! The Book of Revelation is true and all those events described in it-will occur. How do I know this? Because God said it! Look back into the Old Testament and locate where God indicated something would happen before it happened. You will find multiple examples, and archaeology will provide compelling validation of those events. God is God, and what He says should be taken extremely seriously. Scoff all you want, in fact, Jesus anticipated scoffers would come out of the woodwork. They are everywhere, just like He said they would be.

There is nothing that can stop God from carrying out his Word. The things written about future events in His Bible will occur.

The Book of Revelation is jam packed with great wisdom, spirituality, theology, particularly of Christ. The curtain is opened and we get to see via John, what will happen and the central role our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will have in this period described and in eternity. The book describes His deity, His power over the universe, and many other truths. But there is one truth that I wish to point out with emphasis and that is: the sense of urgency. The victory is clearly Christ’s, there is no mistake about that. As you also see in the book there is terrible trouble, catastrophe, horrible hardships, death and destruction that have never been experienced by the human race before. Yes, the book has much symbolism that may be a bit difficult to understand, but there is no denying the clarity of words like, famine, disease, earthquakes, pestilence, hunger, death. Again, these are not to be taken lightly. God is warning us, not to instill fear (even though these future events are fearful) but rather to let us know that He is willing to hold up His glory and wait for you to come open the door He has especially for you.

“ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me”

(Revelation 3:19-20 NIV)

Notice the action verbs above, they are meant for you and me. Action must be taken and it must be urgently applied. We are to be earnest and repent, we are to hear and open the door to His life, and that we are to eat with Him as His friend.

As Christians we look forward to the rapture and His coming. As a non-Christian, this all may seem like non-sense to you, and the devastating future events will seem like a distant fairy tale written for some other people in some far away land. For many others the Bible itself is some foreign concept, written by some old men ages ago and has no relevance to today’s intellectual and sophisticated person. If you are thinking that, think again. If you aren’t sure, ask for wisdom from God. Yes, really. He is not a vindictive and overbearing God, contrary to popular belief. But rather He is a loving Father, who wishes you to be like his Son and our Lord, Jesus.

It is up to you. Take that 180 degree turn. It is urgent and has eternal consequences.

Do you want to learn more? There are great solid bible teachers out there: Sproul, MacArthur, Swindoll. Find a Bible-Based church and attend. Pick up a Bible, maybe even read it. Consider a companion study booklet, or a commentary as well.

As you do that, remember the action verbs mentioned in Revelation 3: 19-20.

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