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What Will You Do?
By Donald Mehl
If you have never consciously and deliberately
prayed to invite Jesus into your life as your Savior...if you have never
repented and placed your complete trust in Him by faith alone...if you have
never declared Him as Lord...and, if Jesus is not your all-in-all and eternal
hope, then, you must read this. Your eternal future will depend on how you
respond.
As an unbeliever, a day is coming very soon, perhaps even today, that will be the most horrifying day of your life. The day will likely begin normally as always, but that will quickly change. Consider these scenarios as a few of the possible ways you will know that something dreadful has happened:
* The small child or grandchild you are holding in your arms suddenly vanishes without a trace.
* A Bible believing friend with whom you were visiting only a second ago suddenly disappears right before your eyes.
* Breaking news alerts on the radio or television report that many cars and trucks all over the world have crashed...all of them seemingly without drivers. Also, some airplanes have mysteriously fallen from the sky for no apparent reason...killing all on board.
* Additional reports announce that all of the children from day-care centers, nursery schools, and elementary schools are nowhere to be found. There are also reports from hospitals that several doctors have simply vanished, and some patients in the midst of surgery have even disappeared from operating tables.
* With your heart pounding, you frantically try to phone a couple of acquaintances who have claimed to be Bible believing, born again Christians, but those phone calls go unanswered.
* Other phone calls placed to your family members and friends provide some relief and comfort in that many of them are at home or work, but they, too, have heard the breaking news reports. However, as panic quickly begins to overtake you, any satisfaction gained is short-lived.
* As your mind races wildly you begin to think out loud, "What in the world is going on? There must be some logical explanation! Is it possible that some of those Bible preachers were right about stuff that might happen soon? Could it be that the rapture happened, and I have been left behind? Nothat just couldn't be the case because, after all, I try to live a good Christian-like life. Besides, my church doesn't believe the rapture, so I certainly wouldn't be left behind."
If you had just experienced any of those things and more, then yes, the rapture has happened as the Scriptures foretold. And yes, you have been left behind along with billions of others world-wide for not having a repentant, heart-changed relationship with the Lord. Immediately following the rapture, there will not be a single believer anywhere on the face of the earth.
You have been left behind after the rapture. Now, what will you do? Just what will you do???
In the hours following the rapture, it is certain that churches will be filled to capacity by desperate people looking for answers. Many pastors will be among the left behind, too. They will be searching their Bible to learn what they had missed from their unbelief. Many had never preached salvation by faith alone, and certainly had never paid any attention to Bible prophecy.
The rapture is the moment when all believers, known as the Bride of Christ, are suddenly removed from the earth to the safety of heaven, and its purpose is two-fold. Soon after the rapture, God will pour out His wrath in judgment on the unbelieving world...and, He will ultimately cause a Jewish remnant to repent and finally receive Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
The billions of people left behind must face those judgments, and will experience the most horrific period of time ever in human history. Many, if not most, will die during that time. It will be a constant struggle for survival. They will have a day-by-day battle for their very existence due to wars, disease, famine, environmental catastrophes, financial collapse, supernatural disasters, and more.
That time of judgment will continue for seven years...the final seven years of life as we know it, and they are Biblically named "Jacob's Time of Trouble" and "Daniel's Seventieth Week". Those years are also commonly called the tribulation. During that time a man referred to as the Antichrist will emerge to world power status, and will relentlessly attempt to destroy Israel and all of Christianity. In the middle of the seven years he will defile the Temple in Jerusalem by declaring himself as God...and will demand that all people worship him. Under threat of death, he will require that all must receive a unique identification mark to show allegiance. However, the Bible clearly states that if anyone receives that mark, they will have sold their soul to the devil forever.
A large number of those left behind who, prior to the rapture, had never heard or understood the gospel message will quickly learn of the true Biblical salvation message and will be convicted of their lost spiritual condition. They will fall on their face in humble submission before God, and with true repentant faith, they will receive Him into their life. However, most of those new believers will be sought out by the Antichrist's armies and will be brutally killed for standing firm in their new-found faith.
Another large number of those left behind had once heard and understood the saving gospel, but rejected it, or had chosen to put off their decision to follow Christ. Also included will be those who are living life as "Christian-in-name-only" people with an appearance of godliness, but without a true faith, trust, and obedience commitment. None of them will be given another chance for salvation after the rapture because they had heard the gospel Truth, but chose not to accept it. The Bible teaches that those people will all fall under a delusion, and will be lost forever for their unbiblical choice. It is possible that delusion might be the persuasive lies of the Satan-indwelled Antichrist, who will do everything possible to lead people away from the one true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the face of death they will quickly take the mark to insure their earthly survival, and will fall on their knees in worship to him.
There is so much more that could be shared concerning those seven years, but perhaps you get the idea. Those who are still alive at the end of the tribulation will witness the Messiah...the Lord Jesus Christ...the King of all creation...returning to earth in judgment to destroy evil, and to rule and reign forever.
The skies will suddenly split wide open from east to west with Jesus appearing in an awesome display of great power and glory. At that time the heavens will shake and the earth will tremble as never before witnessed, nor even imagined by mankind. Overcast skies will not stop Him, wind or rain will not slow His arrival, nor will the heat of day or the dark of night be of any affect...for all of creation will humbly submit to His presence.
Bringing His raptured Bride along with Him from heaven, Jesus will return riding a milk white stallion, ready to declare His righteous victory over an unbelieving world. His eyes will be as blazing fire, and written on His blood stained robe and thigh will be the Name:KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Bible promises that every eye will see Him when he returns...every knee will bow before Him...and every tongue will finally confess that He is Lord. That event will strike indescribable fear in the hearts of the many who have cast Him aside. There will be no escape because the appointed time of God's judgment for unbelief will be upon them.
Jesus' second coming to earth is still a future event, and the rapture has not yet happened. But, the rapture is imminent and could happen today. Are you ready for that moment? If you do not know Him as your personal Savior and Lord, you will be left behind at the rapture.
However, you can have absolute assurance that you belong to Him, but you must first realize you are eternally lost in sin and need the Savior in your life. You must be ready to humbly submit yourself to Him and repent of your sin-filled life, then, verbally confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
If you truly have the sincere desire for a changed life in Him and with Him, and have been convicted by the Holy Spirit of your need for the Savior, then you might pray something like this:
"Oh God, help me! I need You in my life. I'm so sorry for the things I've done. I'm sorry I had turned my back on You for so long. I can't go on without You. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died for me, in my place, for all my sin. I believe that He rose from the dead and is in heaven today preparing a place for me. Oh God, forgive all my sins. By faith alone I now accept Jesus Christ as my Savior, and confess that He is Lord over all. Come into my heart and life now, today, and help me to live a life that is pleasing and honoring to You. Thank You in Jesus' Name - Amen!"
The Lord is calling and waiting patiently to hear from you. It is not His desire that any should perish, but that is exactly what will happen if you do not choose to follow Him. Reach out to Him...trust Him...believe all of His promises...give Him your life and soul...and if you pray a prayer like that from the depths of your heart, He will hear you. Then, as He has promised, you instantly become a child of the most-high God, and an heir to His kingdom forever.
The choice to follow Him is yours alone. If you choose to not believe, then, what will you do?
Just what will you do???
During retirement, my prayer is that I might serve the Lord by sharing the Gospel through my writing. As the Lord leads, my work will inform, challenge and encourage. I also enjoy Biblical theme woodcarving, Bible studies and Christian music. Watch, pray and keep looking up!
Donald Mehl
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
As an unbeliever, a day is coming very soon, perhaps even today, that will be the most horrifying day of your life. The day will likely begin normally as always, but that will quickly change. Consider these scenarios as a few of the possible ways you will know that something dreadful has happened:
* The small child or grandchild you are holding in your arms suddenly vanishes without a trace.
* A Bible believing friend with whom you were visiting only a second ago suddenly disappears right before your eyes.
* Breaking news alerts on the radio or television report that many cars and trucks all over the world have crashed...all of them seemingly without drivers. Also, some airplanes have mysteriously fallen from the sky for no apparent reason...killing all on board.
* Additional reports announce that all of the children from day-care centers, nursery schools, and elementary schools are nowhere to be found. There are also reports from hospitals that several doctors have simply vanished, and some patients in the midst of surgery have even disappeared from operating tables.
* With your heart pounding, you frantically try to phone a couple of acquaintances who have claimed to be Bible believing, born again Christians, but those phone calls go unanswered.
* Other phone calls placed to your family members and friends provide some relief and comfort in that many of them are at home or work, but they, too, have heard the breaking news reports. However, as panic quickly begins to overtake you, any satisfaction gained is short-lived.
* As your mind races wildly you begin to think out loud, "What in the world is going on? There must be some logical explanation! Is it possible that some of those Bible preachers were right about stuff that might happen soon? Could it be that the rapture happened, and I have been left behind? Nothat just couldn't be the case because, after all, I try to live a good Christian-like life. Besides, my church doesn't believe the rapture, so I certainly wouldn't be left behind."
If you had just experienced any of those things and more, then yes, the rapture has happened as the Scriptures foretold. And yes, you have been left behind along with billions of others world-wide for not having a repentant, heart-changed relationship with the Lord. Immediately following the rapture, there will not be a single believer anywhere on the face of the earth.
You have been left behind after the rapture. Now, what will you do? Just what will you do???
In the hours following the rapture, it is certain that churches will be filled to capacity by desperate people looking for answers. Many pastors will be among the left behind, too. They will be searching their Bible to learn what they had missed from their unbelief. Many had never preached salvation by faith alone, and certainly had never paid any attention to Bible prophecy.
The rapture is the moment when all believers, known as the Bride of Christ, are suddenly removed from the earth to the safety of heaven, and its purpose is two-fold. Soon after the rapture, God will pour out His wrath in judgment on the unbelieving world...and, He will ultimately cause a Jewish remnant to repent and finally receive Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
The billions of people left behind must face those judgments, and will experience the most horrific period of time ever in human history. Many, if not most, will die during that time. It will be a constant struggle for survival. They will have a day-by-day battle for their very existence due to wars, disease, famine, environmental catastrophes, financial collapse, supernatural disasters, and more.
That time of judgment will continue for seven years...the final seven years of life as we know it, and they are Biblically named "Jacob's Time of Trouble" and "Daniel's Seventieth Week". Those years are also commonly called the tribulation. During that time a man referred to as the Antichrist will emerge to world power status, and will relentlessly attempt to destroy Israel and all of Christianity. In the middle of the seven years he will defile the Temple in Jerusalem by declaring himself as God...and will demand that all people worship him. Under threat of death, he will require that all must receive a unique identification mark to show allegiance. However, the Bible clearly states that if anyone receives that mark, they will have sold their soul to the devil forever.
A large number of those left behind who, prior to the rapture, had never heard or understood the gospel message will quickly learn of the true Biblical salvation message and will be convicted of their lost spiritual condition. They will fall on their face in humble submission before God, and with true repentant faith, they will receive Him into their life. However, most of those new believers will be sought out by the Antichrist's armies and will be brutally killed for standing firm in their new-found faith.
Another large number of those left behind had once heard and understood the saving gospel, but rejected it, or had chosen to put off their decision to follow Christ. Also included will be those who are living life as "Christian-in-name-only" people with an appearance of godliness, but without a true faith, trust, and obedience commitment. None of them will be given another chance for salvation after the rapture because they had heard the gospel Truth, but chose not to accept it. The Bible teaches that those people will all fall under a delusion, and will be lost forever for their unbiblical choice. It is possible that delusion might be the persuasive lies of the Satan-indwelled Antichrist, who will do everything possible to lead people away from the one true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the face of death they will quickly take the mark to insure their earthly survival, and will fall on their knees in worship to him.
There is so much more that could be shared concerning those seven years, but perhaps you get the idea. Those who are still alive at the end of the tribulation will witness the Messiah...the Lord Jesus Christ...the King of all creation...returning to earth in judgment to destroy evil, and to rule and reign forever.
The skies will suddenly split wide open from east to west with Jesus appearing in an awesome display of great power and glory. At that time the heavens will shake and the earth will tremble as never before witnessed, nor even imagined by mankind. Overcast skies will not stop Him, wind or rain will not slow His arrival, nor will the heat of day or the dark of night be of any affect...for all of creation will humbly submit to His presence.
Bringing His raptured Bride along with Him from heaven, Jesus will return riding a milk white stallion, ready to declare His righteous victory over an unbelieving world. His eyes will be as blazing fire, and written on His blood stained robe and thigh will be the Name:KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Bible promises that every eye will see Him when he returns...every knee will bow before Him...and every tongue will finally confess that He is Lord. That event will strike indescribable fear in the hearts of the many who have cast Him aside. There will be no escape because the appointed time of God's judgment for unbelief will be upon them.
Jesus' second coming to earth is still a future event, and the rapture has not yet happened. But, the rapture is imminent and could happen today. Are you ready for that moment? If you do not know Him as your personal Savior and Lord, you will be left behind at the rapture.
However, you can have absolute assurance that you belong to Him, but you must first realize you are eternally lost in sin and need the Savior in your life. You must be ready to humbly submit yourself to Him and repent of your sin-filled life, then, verbally confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
If you truly have the sincere desire for a changed life in Him and with Him, and have been convicted by the Holy Spirit of your need for the Savior, then you might pray something like this:
"Oh God, help me! I need You in my life. I'm so sorry for the things I've done. I'm sorry I had turned my back on You for so long. I can't go on without You. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died for me, in my place, for all my sin. I believe that He rose from the dead and is in heaven today preparing a place for me. Oh God, forgive all my sins. By faith alone I now accept Jesus Christ as my Savior, and confess that He is Lord over all. Come into my heart and life now, today, and help me to live a life that is pleasing and honoring to You. Thank You in Jesus' Name - Amen!"
The Lord is calling and waiting patiently to hear from you. It is not His desire that any should perish, but that is exactly what will happen if you do not choose to follow Him. Reach out to Him...trust Him...believe all of His promises...give Him your life and soul...and if you pray a prayer like that from the depths of your heart, He will hear you. Then, as He has promised, you instantly become a child of the most-high God, and an heir to His kingdom forever.
The choice to follow Him is yours alone. If you choose to not believe, then, what will you do?
Just what will you do???
During retirement, my prayer is that I might serve the Lord by sharing the Gospel through my writing. As the Lord leads, my work will inform, challenge and encourage. I also enjoy Biblical theme woodcarving, Bible studies and Christian music. Watch, pray and keep looking up!
Donald Mehl
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
