GET THEM READY

There are many who wrongly think they are going to Heaven. They consider themselves as Christians, and although they are not committed to doing God's will, they still believe they are going to heaven. Many have family, friends, and loved ones in this category. You have witnessed to them, prayed for them and yet they refuse to turn their lives to Christ. Since we know they are unsaved, maybe we should get them ready to be left behind when Christ comes for His church. Getting them ready means making sure they know the truth.

1. Christians all over the world will one day disappear (I Thess. 4:13-18).

They will be left behind, but the opportunity to give their hearts to God and escape eternal punishment did not end with the rapture of the church. They will however have to endure end-time events. We should help those who will be left to understand what is going to happen and what they should or should not do.

2. Beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:4-8)

During the beginning of sorrows, as the world adjusts to millions of missing Christians, life will be difficult. There will be worldwide changes all at once (Rev. 6:1-8), but the most important thing that they should remember is to not be deceived into following those who will rise up and say they are Christ.

3. Tribulation (Matt. 24:9-14a)

After the beginning of sorrows, believers (those who have turned to Christ after the rapture of the church) will be persecuted and killed. Even in the face of martyrdom there will be widespread revival and the gospel will be preached. Laws will no longer apply as the world tries to re-establish itself. There will still be many false prophets. Friend will turn against friend and family against family. Every man will be for himself. In Revelation, much more is said of this period with the 5th, 6th and 7th seals. The 5th shows the souls of tribulation saints who died since the rapture. The 6th shows the earth in turmoil and people crying out to die (Rev. 8:1-2).

Seal 7 presents 7 angels with 7 trumpets to announce God’s judgment on the earth. Six of the 7 trumpets are blown and bring with them much destruction and torment (Rev. 8:7 through Rev. 9:21).

4. Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:14b -15, 21)

Jesus says the end begins with the Antichrist taking over the temple of God in Jerusalem. This is the great tribulation, a time when the Jews who have now accepted Christ and many tribulation saints are killed. The sounding of the 7th trumpet begins this period and includes: a. The antichrist declaring himself to be god – Rev. 13:4-9 b. The rise of a false prophet who established the worship of the beast i.e., the antichrist, and demanded that all receive the mark of the beast to show their allegiance to the antichrist – Rev. 13:11-18 c. Seven bowl or vial judgments from God upon the earth – Rev. 15:1

In these bowl plagues, we see cancerous sores on all who receive the mark of and worship the beast (16:2); the sea turning to blood and the death of all sea creatures (16:3); the drinking water turning into blood (16:4); people scorched from sun's heat (16:8-9); darkness over the kingdom of the beast (16:10); and a drought that dries up the Euphrates, in preparation for Armageddon.

The final plague is a great earthquake which crumbles cities with 114 pound hail stones that fall from Heaven. During this terrible time, men are in such pain that they chew on their tongues to distract themselves from other pain in their body. Also, those who refuse to take the mark of the beast will be slaughtered.

As terrible as this all sounds, it is not important to remember what happens with each bowl. What is most important is that they choose to suffer hunger and discomfort rather than sell their souls to the devil. Accepting the mark of the beast will permanently condemn them to the lake of fire (Rev. 14:9-10).

5. The Second Coming of Christ (Matt. 24:29-30)

After the great tribulation, Christ will return to this earth with His army to fight against the antichrist and his army (Rev. 19:11-12). This is called the battle of Armageddon, and Jesus wins.

Knowing that we may be unable to lead all of our loved ones to Christ before the rapture, we can plant a few nuggets in them to help when they are left behind. They will see and experience for themselves the physical changes in the earth and its environment. In the midst of this, they need to remember 4 things.

1. Don’t be deceived into following those who declare themselves to be Christ.

2. As long as the gospel is being preached, the door of salvation is open.

3. Under no circumstances are you to accept the mark of the beast and side with the antichrist against Jesus.

4. No matter what it looks like, in the end Jesus wins.

Pam Banks-Lee, Pastor New Freedom Christian Fellowship