Controversial subject here, but one the Lord led me to post on because time is so short. Many Christians, pastors included, will tell you that everyone who professes to be a Christian and who believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will meet Jesus in the clouds at the Trumpet Blast.
As lovely and encouraging as that would be, Scripture begs to differ. I encourage you to read the following verses and take them to heart. I'm not trying to instill any doubt or fear that you may or may not be going. But my goal is that you would make sure you are! I cannot imagine a more devastating thing than finding yourself here after the rapture.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:10-11
What hour is Jesus talking about? One that will come upon the Entire World! Tribulation. Notice there's a requirement for being kept out of the Tribulation. To keep His Word patiently. How do you keep His Word? By walking in a relationship with Him and out of that springs obedience.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22-23
Notice here, Jesus is talking to people who are Christians or think they are. He doesn't care if you have a head belief in Him or even that you've done many great things for Him. He only cares that you and He have a close relationship. Make sure you do!
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
Not exactly a lovely prospect, to be spewed from the mouth of Jesus. Are you sensing he doesn't care for lukewarm believers? And yes, He is talking to believers here!
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:35-36
Jesus tells us to pray that we would be worthy to escape the Tribulation. Why would He even bother saying that if everyone who is a Christian goes? Again, He is talking to believers here. Obviously, there are some worthy of leaving while there are others who won't make it.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:9-13
Again, in this parable, the foolish virgins ran out of oil. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and their lack of it shows a lack of watching for Jesus and preparing for His return. Otherwise, they would have kept their oil lamps full. Again, we see Jesus saying He doesn't know them, just like in the Matthew 7 passage above. Obviously, these were believers!
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11
Don't you find it odd that even the Apostle Paul thought there might be a slight chance he wouldn't make the resurrection of the dead? (rapture) If he was concerned, perhaps we should be too
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:5-8
I don't think this can be more clear. If you habitually practice these types of sins (regardless of your belief in Jesus), you will have to endure the wrath of God and you will not have any inheritance in the Kingdom of God. It's wrapped up in what the Apostle John says that if we love God, we will obey Him. But isn't this a works-based salvation? No. As you will see in the final passage below, if we love God and Walk in the Spirit, we will not be doing these evil things anyway.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25
Again, I'm not trying to freak anyone out at all. But I would not be doing my job if I didn't point out that going in the rapture is a reward for having a close relationship with Jesus and walking in His Spirit of obedience to His Word. Does it mean those believers left behind aren't saved? No, I don't think so. It only means they must endure some difficult times to prove their faith.
It's all about a close relationship with the Lord and in that relationship you come to love Him and because of that love, you want to obey Him. Yes, we sin, but we do not purposely and habitually sin. If we do, then we have no relationship with Jesus. We must walk in the Spirit, live in repentance, and hang out with our Savior everyday. That doesn't mean we are perfect. It doesn't mean there aren't some sins we still struggle with. But it means we are repenting, asking for the Lord's help, and maintaining our relationship with Him.
Make sure you're good with Jesus. If you aren't sure, it only takes a minute to find a quiet place and start talking to Him, repent, and ask Him to save you and help you live for Him. He loves that kind of prayer!
See you in the clouds!
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