Saints, I'm reposting this post from 2022 because it is so relevant today. This is something I constantly ask myself. Is Jesus first in my life? This post isn't meant to condemn but rather as a sort of self-checkup for all of us. Because time is so very very short.
Forgive
me in advance, for this post will be a bit of a rant. Over recent
weeks, I've encountered a good number of Christians who have zero
interest in the rapture, who say it's years away, who shout that "No Man
Can Know the Day or Hour", and who deny we are anywhere near the end of
days. I have even talked with family members who are preterists (they
believe all the end times prophecies in the Bible have already been
fulfilled). Then there's the Dominionists (also mostly preterists) who
believe it's the Church's job to take over the world before Jesus
returns.
Want to know one thing I find in common with all these people?
They love this world.
They
have plans for their futures. They want to get married, see their kids
married, have grandkids, buy homes, go on vacations, advance in their
careers, etc. They have good plans for their future, and they surely
aren't ready to go to heaven. I've even had people say to me "I don't
want Jesus to come yet. I want to see my kids have children. I want to
raise my grandkids."
These
are all good things. But not if they come before your love for Jesus.
Jesus is to be our first love above all else, above everything in this
world.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
That's
a tough Scripture. We are told to NOT love this world or anything in
it. Why? Because this world is fallen, filled with wickedness and sin,
and controlled by Satan. Does God give us good things to enjoy? Yes. But
we should NEVER put them above Him.
He
who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who
loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does
not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who
finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will
find it. Matthew 10:37-39
Another
tough Scripture, but I don't think Jesus was kidding, do you? We are
not to love anything or anyone above Jesus. Is that because He's some
kind of narcissistic God who needs worship? No! He's actually trying to
save you! He knows that if you put anything above Him, you're likely to
get entangled with the things of this world, which leads to more
deception, more entanglement, and eventually hell.
No
one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the
other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
God
gave His only Son to live in a fallen human body, endure all kinds of
hatred, insults, and rejection, only to die one of the most horrific and
painful deaths known to man, in order to save YOU. He has every right
to require your utmost love and devotion. How sad it must make Him to
see people who claim to know Him, but who would rather live for this
world and all its pleasures than follow Him.
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37
The
problem lies in truly loving Jesus. We can say we love Him. But if we
really don't want to be with Him yet, then do we? If we really and truly
love Him above all else, we would want to be with Him above all else.
And the rapture would be something we would crave and look forward to
with great anticipation.
If
you don't love Jesus like that. If you aren't beyond excited to see
Him. If the thought of the rapture makes you uneasy because you have
plans, then I encourage you to check your heart. If you love this world
and you don't want to go in the rapture, God is a gentleman. He will not
take you.
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
It
doesn't matter what you believe about the rapture timing or prophecy,
if you don't love the Lord with all your heart and desire more than
anything to be with Him, you are in a dangerous place. For one thing, it
leads to all sorts of deception and false doctrines, which I've seen in
my own family. For another, it could get you left behind.
If
that is you, please get alone with the Lord and repent and ask Him to
teach you how to love Him with all your heart. In my experience, the
best way to do that is by spending time with Jesus, in conversation and
in His Word.
Time is short.
Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteI was at a one year-old‘s birthday party yesterday ( family member) and they had a “time capsule” where you could fill out a card with what you thought she might do or be in the future. It is to be opened when she is 18. I just couldn’t do it because I don’t think we’ll be here then. I guess I could’ve filled it out and said you’ll be in heaven with Jesus! Her immediate family is a great example of those who love the world and don’t want Jesus to come back yet, even though they are involved in (and work at) church.
Blessings, BevH
Good Morning Sister,
DeleteI admire how you are thinking of the child so honorably that she will be with Jesus when she turns 18, as will all of us true Believers for I believe it will be the Millennium Reign by then. I like to think that in Heaven, the Lord may personally address us on our birthdays (even though there will not be any since we will have glorified, immortal bodies then) along with all other saints - that would be a far greater blessing than a birthday party in this world.
I was at a park yesterday and I saw a family decorating a picnic shelter. First thing that came to my mind was if those people have any idea what is coming and are going about as if everything is completely normal. Even though Jesus did say that we should continue living as usual until He comes, we should not be blind to the evil in the world and definitely not the dangerous falsehood that everything will get better in this world without needing Jesus.
Grace and Peace in Christ Sister and have a blessed day!
Bev, this happens to me all the time with family. They talk about all their future plans.. college for kids.. marriages, houses to be bought and I stand there like an outsider. I've already told them all what I believe.. what the Lord has shown me.. but it's like it went in one ear and out the next!
DeleteAnd yes! I believe we will celebrate Birthdays in heaven, but most likely the day we got saved instead of the day we were born physically! I love Birthdays! Especially cake! LOL
Hello Sister in Christ,
ReplyDeleteAmen to this, it aggravates me that so many sign are obvious and many people either downplay or dismiss our warnings. Yes these have been going on throughout history, but don’t they realize that they are far more extreme in intensity and frequency? I guess anyone who either refuses to listen or are dismissive of our warnings would be at risk of being left behind, and the Tribulation may be their last hope. I could only hope and pray with alarm that even during the seven years, they will not be those who still curse at and blaspheme God amidst intense suffering. Isn’t this something you would also pray for?
People whom I tried relaying the warnings to have said not to worry, but what they misunderstand is that it is not what is coming that bothers me, but it is the thought that so many will be left behind and endure intense suffering that was 100% avoidable if only they had listened or at the very least, considered the warnings.
There are two original questions I thought of that people would have to answer if they are left behind are: “what reason do you have to say no one warned you about all this,” and “how do you plan to adapt once everything changes?” The latter is actually a euphemism for “how do you plan to survive the Tribulation?” No one would need to answer these difficult questions, but it would be disheartening for those that have to, right?
I still pray desperately for my family in the time that is left. I know there are Scriptures saying that our left-behind loved ones will get saved if we continue to pray and have faith, but I hope God understands that I still love Him more than family and that because of them, I may seem like not wanting to leave this world even though I have been looking up countless times every day for quite some time. That is why I constantly mention to God during my daily prayers that I love Him always and above everyone and thank Him greatly in advance for saving my family. Would this be okay?
This past weekend, Iran suddenly said they opened the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump insisted on maintaining the blockade, thus rendering it as if it never reopened at all. I read that the US also seized an Iranian cargo ship, and Iran is vowing retaliation. Now it is apparent that whenever we hear ceasefire, it is all bogus, isn’t it? I have this feeling this strait crisis may be a prelude to the Third Seal with the Black Horse in bringing about extreme famine based on the skyrocketing inflation and soaring gas prices, isn’t it?
Have a great days Sister and keep looking up, for we are now in the Jewish month of Iyar, which interestingly is when Israel became a nation in 1948 on Iyar 5, which was May 14th, and it is this Wednesday the 22nd, which happens to be Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israel’s Independence Day. Peace and Blessings from a Brother in Christ.
Greetings, Brother.
DeleteYes, keep praying for your family and loved ones! Our prayers area powerful. If you've already tried to warn them and they have ignored you, then put them in God's capable hands. They will have no excuse if they are left behind. I've heard of dreams people have had where the left behind are shocked and very very upset and horrified. Some even get mad at God and turn away, but I believe the majority of them will end up getting saved. If your loved ones get left behind, pray now that they will end up being saved. God is faithful!
The Lord knows your heart and that you love Him above all else! What I pray for also is that He helps me to know Him more and love Him more... He will do that!
Yes, I've been following the news in the Middle East. Interesting times! They are definitely setting up for the great Global financial reset and subsequent famine... and probably another plague just to top off their evil plans.
We are still in a high watch time... .so keep your thoughts on heaven and your eyes on Jesus. We are not of this world! Blessings!
Greetings Holy Messenger of God,
ReplyDeleteAs upsetting as it may be that many will not heed our warnings, I guess we should just let them be if we make a honest effort that turns out to be unsuccessful. As it is noted in Revelation 22:11 to “let those who do wrong continue to do wrong, and let those who are holy continue to be holy,” I could only hope people will truly wake up at the risk of a big expense during the Tribulation, for that may be the only way they can be saved amidst the plagues, judgments, and demonic entities. Would you agree with this?
I listened to a video of the Rapture trumpet with a bass effect added to it. I actually found myself not only having this supernatural feeling of holiness, but I also found myself nearly crying knowing that we are finally with the Lord forever, but also that those left behind will have to endure the terrors that will unfold. Could this reaction be a sign of the Holy Spirit at work within me making me feel deeply emotional at the sound of the Trumpet? Here is the link in case you have not seen the video before: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aLkqkMJup1U
Regarding the Trumpet, would it be a quick blast lasting only a few seconds or would it last for a little bit until every true Believer in Christ is removed from the Earth?
For me, I will continue to rejoice in the Lord always knowing that He will soon save us from the Tribulation. The best part is that we will live during the Millennium with the Lord and all other true Brothers and Sisters.
That made me wonder, would we still live our usual lives during the thousand years, only in glorified bodies in a world where sin and evil are vastly reduced? Or are we going to be tending to duties the Lord assigns us based on our talents and that will be our permanent new lifestyle? I also wonder if during the New Jerusalem, we may be living lives differently than during the Millennium since God will personally live with us forever?
Blessings in the Lord and Come Quickly Lord Jesus!
Greetings! Yes... if the people you have warned won't listen.. just love them and pray for them. Leave them in God's capable hands! It's highly possible they will be saved during the Tribulation. I honestly believe there will be Billions saved during the Tribulation! I love the sound of the Shofar! i will go listen to this later. And yes, of course, your emotional reaction and longing to go home is definitely from the Holy Spirit residing within you! I do not know whether the trumpet will be a long blast or several little ones.. guess we will find out!
DeleteIt is my understanding that during the millennial reign, we will have duties assigned to us by Jesus. In other words, we will be working for Him, helping to govern all the people on Earth. The Lord will use the talents He gives us so that our work will be exciting and fun for us and fulfilling. It won't seem like work. No more usual lives for us!
Blessings!