by David Brenneman
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
"Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.
"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Many people are taken in by fast talking so-called preaching that does nothing but make them feel good for an hour, brings no conviction, points no one towards the need for a Savior who is Christ the Lord. They aren't told of any need to repent. That what they do wrong are simply mistakes and not sins. That on the scales of good and evil they'll be ok. That they have nothing to fear before God. Again, all the while not mentioning the need for a Savior who is Christ the Lord Jesus.
There are no scales for good and evil. There's the judgment of God in Christ Jesus.
There's a definite need for people to receive the free gift of salvation because without it there's no seal from the Spirit of God saying that their sins are forgiven and remembered no more.
There's sins committed daily and not mere mistakes. Sins against a Holy God not merely against someone else in our lives.
There's a day of Judgment coming and it won't be Jesus taking anyone's word that they were saved. Jesus Himself will separate those who are saved in Christ Jesus from those who are not. All without saying a word. He is Truth so He need never ask what is right or true. He is all knowing and needs never ask what anyone meant by what they did. He is omniscient and was there when they did what they did and it is He who examines the hearts so in that moment He knows your why's of you doing, saying, or thinking behind your actions.
Salvation in Christ Jesus is essential to living a life approved by God. Salvation in Christ Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Salvation in Christ is the only way sins are forgiven and remembered no more by the only One who has the power to forgive, Jesus Christ.
This Day of the Lord is coming. As each day passes we are one day closer to it being that Day.
For a few thousand years we have been waiting so long for Jesus to come back and it's easily nearer now than it ever has been.
When the last person who is to be saved is saved, that's it. He will arise from His glorious throne and come to receive His Church, His Bride, to Himself. As we read earlier, the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive and remain will join Him in the air and we will forever be with Him.
If where you go to church isn't teaching at all on repentance, on the need to be saved in Christ Jesus, run, don't walk from that place and find a true church that does.
Jesus addressed such false churches when they tried claiming that they did all kinds of works in His Name. He told them to depart from Him for He never knew them.
They had no personal relationship with Jesus that only comes from receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins.
Sins are not mistakes. Sins are thoughts, intentions, actions that are against the Word of God. Rooted in selfishness.
Those who have never come to the place in their lives where they acknowledged their need for a Savior who is Christ the Lord, will never set foot in Heaven.
What's necessary? What's needed? First you need to admit to God that He's right about everything. That you're in need of a Savior.
You need to confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. Read on.
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.
When the Church of Jesus Christ is complete, He will return. You, my Dear Reader, might be that last expected one who will usher in His return to fulfill His promise.
Most have heard John 3:16. Read this personalized version.
For God so loved you that He gave His one and only Son that should you believe in Him, you will not perish, but will have everlasting life.
Jesus loved you so much that He died on a cross for you. The wrath, the judgment condemning you to Hell, eternal separation from God, was taken upon Him in your place if you but ask for Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.
I don't know how much more time there is until He returns. Nobody does nor can anyone know.
We could have maybe a year, maybe a month or so, maybe a few days or hours.
Only God knows. The Rapture of the Church will happen in the twinkling of an eye. So fast that nobody will be fully ready for it.
Know for sure this day that you are saved. That you are truly ready. The invitation is given to you this day to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
If you've made that decision or want to know more, call 1-330-264-9459 and there will be someone there to help you. You can also text Jesus to that number and receive the same.
Jesus is tenderly calling to you.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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