No post is more appropriate after one on being assured of our salvation, through being born again, than one written about the Rapture. Many have read the fictional series LEFT BEHIND. This series details the Rapture and those who are left behind on earth to face the seven years of Great Tribulation. Those who are secure in their salvation and dedicated to living their lives for God will be raptured to Heaven (not facing physical death on earth or the Great Tribulation). Thus, the title of the first book of the series, LEFT BEHIND, succinctly describes the terrors and perils of those who are LEFT BEHIND on earth - those who miss the Rapture.
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonian s 4:15-18
Those who study Biblical prophecy, detect signs of the times all around us. Signals that we believe are warning us of the Rapture and then the onset of these seven years of Tribulation on earth. Over one-half of the population who is left behind after the Rapture will die in wars, plagues, natural disasters, and other horrendous events. The Antichrist will rule over the earth at this time and all of the Christians (who normally would be engaged in spiritual warfare prayers against the enemy) will have been Raptured.
Those not truly believing and living for Christ will be left behind. As the fictional series depicts, many "church" people will even be left behind. God knows the intent of our hearts and spirits. He knows our thoughts, deeds and actions. We need to be living lives that are holy and pure before our Lord and Savior, so that we will have the eternal promise of Heaven AND the guarantee that we will not have to endure these years of tribulation.
If left behind, it is imperative for each human to recognize quickly - what has happened; why he has been left behind; and what he can do to rectify the situation. If left behind, each person still has the opportunity to fall to his knees, seek forgiveness, and be redeemed. These individuals - Tribulation Saints - will endure great persecution and possibly even death for their faith - but eternal life will await them.
Individuals living during these years of tribulation will be forced to take the "mark" (of the beast, the enemy) in order to purchase or sell and participate in the global economy after the Rapture. Do not fall for that and be willing to take the "mark" - even if it means that you will be unable to purchase or sell - by taking this "mark" - the person will be eternally doomed and sealed as belonging to the enemy.
"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" is a song that DC Talk performs. The words are poignant and one scene on this video (link below) shows the shock of a young man who knew immediately what had happened, as he falls in heartbreak to the floor. Most likely, this young man, in the video, had once known the ways of God but had strayed from them. He knew what God requires of those who desire to have eternal life in Heaven. He had heard of the Rapture and perhaps, like many, found it far-fetched and doubted that Christ would return for His own, leaving behind those who fell away from Him to face the years of tribulation. His regrets are obvious. Let each of us have no doubt that we will be sojourners on the Rapture trip to Heaven.
YOU TUBE LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu_fm0oedGU
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