“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matt. 24:36)
What if you knew for a fact that ten days from now, at the exact time it is at this moment, that the Rapture would occur, how would you modify your life? Would you quit your job and give all that you have to the poor? Rush out to find all that you have in some form not held a firm and loving relationship with and rectify that relationship? Perhaps every moment until then would be spent in prayer by you, continuously searching for every possible sin within yourself, confessing and repenting of them, or going out and warning all that would listen to the knowledge that has been imparted to you.
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2)
I’m curious, why are some of you not doing most of those things now?
Here, in this life, there is hope, hope in the truth of the promises for those who serve and love the Lord Jesus Christ, in heaven there is no need for hope, in hell there is no hope of hope. Here, while we walk the path to the strait gate, there is faith, perfect unmitigated trust in what the Almighty has revealed to us.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)
In heaven faith in that regard is gone, like the cross we carry today and the armor we wear, there is no need for faith.
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24)
I ask that you would look at the following verse and ask yourself, would it make any difference in your life if you knew the exact moment of the Rapture, or even the time of your death?
“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2nd Cor. 5:7)
The knowledge we have been blessed with, the truths of the words of God that only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can see clearly, should cause us to behave as if either of those two blessed moments might happen today.
Opportunities seem more pressing, my friends, when we know there is a time limit placed upon them.
Sadly, many who profess to serve the Most High believe that there is time to kill today, there is no need to rush, no hurry, yet those same people will react differently when the days seem to be growing darker then when all seems to be going well. When trials and tribulations appear, when pain and suffering are not at the doorstep, but have actually entered into their house, then they are ready to leave this mortal shell.
On a clear day, when the sun is shining bright and all is well, there is no need to rush.
We should live our lives to the glory of God in the same manner that the convicted criminal does, or should, when he knows that at midnight the electric chair awaits him. If you can understand the truths written here, then you understand why the Lord alone knows that day and hour.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
This verse allows us to walk in peace and complete assurance of our salvation, but does it cause a sense of urgency within you? Does it make you consider the condemnation that rests upon the wicked? It should, if you can hear those in hell screaming today.
The promises give us a peace that passes all understanding, we work for His glory, unconcerned with the time of our departure.
Or at least we should.
