Can you see it?
Can you feel it?
Can you sense the urgency in the air?
We are facing the end of the age. We are looking at the final years of the age of man on the earth. Look around, you can see the evidence of it at every turn. The deterioration of society, the increased depravity of mankind, chaos everywhere! Do you see it? Can you hear it?
Current developments in Israel, the place to watch, have pushed us closer than ever to the rapture of the Bride of Christ. It really does not matter to me if you choose to believe that or not. Time will tell the truth of it, and very very soon! This world is headed for judgment, for the outpouring of the wrath of God. It is a time that mankind has never witnessed before, EVER!
God has provided a way of escape. He does not want you to be here to endure, if you can, 7 years of evil rule on the earth. God does not want you to perish (John 3:16).
The rapture and Tribulation that the church too often fails to even speak of, let alone teach about, is real! The ticket out is to be truly born again (John 3:3; John 3:7).
BORN AGAIN?
To be saved is to be born again. Jesus said that if we are not born again, we will not see the kingdom of God.
“Everybody talkin’ bout heav’n ain’t goin’ there” (https://rb.gy/7yg7h). There are many who think they are going home with Jesus, and they simply are not. Why? Because they are not born again.
We can claim to be Christians, we can go to church faithfully, we can “believe” that God is “up there,” we can read the Bible and use Its “principles” for our own benefit, we can even claim to “love the Lord.” The fact remains, however, that we must be born again if we want to see the Kingdom of God. We must be born again if we want to be a part of the Bride of Christ, if we w ant to be called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-10). What is it to be born again?
To be born again is to undergo a spiritual birth. Think about something. Jesus’ work at Calvary was comprised of his death, burial, and resurrection. To be born again, we take on (by faith) the work of Christ at Calvary.
Repent. We take on Christ’s death by repenting. When we truly repent, we die to our own will and vow, henceforth and forevermore, to live according to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:5; 2 Cor 7:10)
Be Baptised. We take on Christ’s burial through baptism. Romans 6:4 explains we are buried with Christ by baptism into death. This is not sprinkling, but to be fully immersed. The word translated “baptism” is the Greek word βάπτισμα (baptisma ~bap’-tis-mah); it means immersion or submersion; to make fully wet. In our examples from Scripture, this is how Jesus was baptized as well as every new convert. There are many who will say this is not a necessary step. I used to think that to, because of what I heard other church folks say so often; “it’s good to do if you can, but if you can’t it’s alright, it’s not really necessary.” Prayerfully read what the Bible says, without adjusting it, what do you notice. (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; Col 2:11-13; Col 3:1-3;1 Peter 3:21)
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is through receiving the Holy Spirit that we share in, or partake of, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is how we walk in a New Life, empowered to live as a follower of Christ should. (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:15-17; Acts 10: 38-48; Acts 19:6)
In the United States, there are a vast number of denominations with varying views regarding Scripture. Some teach baptism is not a part of salvation. Another believes the signs, works of the Spirit, ceased with the Apostles and, therefore, one does not need or receive the Holy Ghost as detailed in Scripture.
Denominations are not the ticket to heaven, Jesus is. So, I encourage you to take what I have said here to the Lord in prayer. Study what the Bible says about it for yourself and obey the Word of God.
Make sure you are born again according to the Word of God. It is important, extremely important. Because Jesus said without being born again you will not even see the Kingdom of God! (John 3:3)
And please, don’t let anyone fool you. If one is truly born again, they walk in a different way. They live a lifestyle that pleases God. They do not live a life of habitual sin (1 John 3:9). If they do sin, they repent and keep walking with the Lord. Sin grieves the heart of the born-again child of God. We do not ignore it, make excuses for it, or take advantage of God’s grace.
We must take stock of how we are living.
Are you claiming to follow Christ, but living like the devil? If the answer is yes, repent! Because, until you do you are none of His.
Are you exhibiting the characteristics of the Son of God? Jesus said His disciples, His followers, will be known by their love (John 13:35; 1 John 4:20-21). Are you loving people according to the Bible’s definition of the word (1 Cor 13)? Will the Lord agree with you? If not, then repent. Because until you do, you are none of His.
God hates pride (Prov 8:13; Prov 16:5; Prov 16:18). Every person must guard against pride. Are you walking in pride and haughtiness? If so, repent. Because until you do, you are none of His.
Are you indulging in unrighteousness, any of those flesh gratifying things that Bible has clearly said will keep you from entering the Kingdom of God? Any form of sexual sin, drunkenness, greed, and so on? (1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19) If so, Repent. Because until you do, you are none of His.
These, and other things we must come clean about, have to do with the inner man, the heart; that part of you other people cannot see. The outward evidence reveals what’s inside; it exposes whether you are living according to sinful flesh, or the new nature led by the Spirit of God.
Let me tell you something, you can gain this entire world, have the best houses and cars, and multiple bulging bank accounts. Great gain is NOT godliness (1 Tim 6:5), and our accumulation of material stuff does not move God. You can fool man with myriad words and an outward show of things. You can look the great and sound theologically intelligent, and human beings will suck it up… praising you in the process of plunging you deeper into self-deception. God is looking at your heart.
People often love to use “God looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7) to excuse any worldly actions they may approve of; however, they fail to understand that if the heart is right the deeds will be right/get right also. God is not a fool, and He cannot be deceived. We must have our hearts right before Him. The things we do, think, and say tell the story. How we carry ourselves, how we treat others, tells the story. What’s in our hearts will reveal whether or not we love God or love this world and conforming to it.
Stop ignoring what’s in you (2 Cor 13:5). Get before the Lord and ask Him to reveal YOUR heart to you, as HE sees it, because you want your heart to be right before Him (Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 26:2). You want to be a part of His bride.
The call for the Bride of Jesus Christ is soon and, like the brides of the ancient Galilee when Jesus walked the earth, we have reached that point where we must stay dressed and ready for the wedding. Keeping our garments spotless, oil (Holy Spirit) in our lamps, ready for the Bridegroom’s trumpet call. It is SOON people. Look around you, look at the condition of this world. It is SOON!
Get Ready
Stay Ready
Until next time,
