By Pastor/Teacher, James R. Paxton
That may be a small word but it is certainly loaded with meaning. If something is gone it is no longer where it was. A It is gone. What am I talking about? The body of Christ, (Christians) from all over the world will soon be gone. Where are they going? Heaven. How Jesus, who died for their sins is coming back for them. You may say I don’t believe that. You will, and very soon.
Why are the Christians going to be gone? There are a couple of reasons. One is that Jesus promised to come for them so they could be with Him for all eternity. The second is that the wrath of God is coming upon this world and God has promised to spare the Christians from that wrath. The wrath of God will be a part of His judgment upon the world for rejecting His Son, Jesus, and forsaking His Word and plan for them.
Is there any escape from that outpouring of God’s wrath? Certainly. How?
Admit that you are a sinner and ask for forgiveness and ask Jesus to come into your heart. He will, if you are serious. A key word is repent. Repent means more than to simply say “I am sorry” or just to admit that you are a sinner. Repent means to do an about face and turn from wicked or sinful ways.
The devil is on the rampage. He knows he has only a short time. He is filling this world with lies, deceptions and half-truths. Some very strong denominations (perhaps past history) have begun to compromise and say there is more than one way to Heaven. Jesus said in John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There may be many religious books that say some nice things but the Bible is the only book that has proven itself to be true over the many hundreds of years since it was written. Prophesies were recorded by men chosen of God and those prophesies have come to pass 100% of the time. No religion and no other book can make that claim.
There are those that profess to be a Christian because of their birth or religious affiliation but are not part of the body of Christ. Their lives do not bear witness of their claim. Only God knows who are His. You can know but no one can know for you. It is a relationship with God that determines who we are. Some say “I’m just an old sinner saved by grace.” No! No! No! Yes, salvation is by grace, through faith. You have a part and God has a part. You must exercise faith and God must release the Grace. But, once that happens, you are no longer a sinner. You are saved. The Bible says you are a new creature. 2Co 5:17 says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” You may not necessarily feel like a new creature but thank God He outranks you. He is looking at you from His point of view which is through the precious Blood that Jesus shed to cleanse away your sin. If you believe and ask Jesus to come into your heart, He will. If you don’t, He won’t. Well preacher, I don’t believe what you said. You will. Soon the body of Christ will be GONE! Then, everybody will believe only it will be too late.
2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Your choice!
Maranatha!
