Time for the world, as it is today, is running short. There are wars and rumors of wars. Financial institutions are starting to sweat over the weaknesses that have been building up over the years. Wild weather is hitting in locations around the globe. Food supplies are just a drought or hurricane away from being decimated. Earthquakes, volcanos, tornadoes, floods...natural disasters abound. Crime is increasing in volume and depth. A man's heart could almost stop cold in fear.
To make matters even more stressful, there is a God in Heaven that has promissed us that we have all committed the crime of disobedience against Him. And the punishment for doing that is to spend all eternity in a lake of fire, separated from Him and in torment beyond imagination.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Rom. 3:23
But, there is hope!
"For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23
God sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for us. Those people that are called to be His people will be given the faith that is needed to believe in Jesus. And that belief will lead to eternal life. This is the free gift from God Almighty. It is nothing that you can earn on your own. It is the ultimate act of grace to sinful man.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9
When we are saved from our sins, God has promised that, even though the life we go through here may be bad, it is so short compared to the eternal life of freedom and love that awaits us.
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9
Not only that, but for some people that believe in Jesus, there won't even be death! This is what's known as the Rapture.
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor. 15:52
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 The. 4:16-17
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 The. 4:16-17
Although a follower of Jesus doesn't NEED a reward (the gift of being bought out of our sin and freed from the punishment it brings is MORE than enough to make us happy), the Rapture is a potential reward. It is also our hope. When it takes place, the world as we know it today will have just a few more years left. After those years take place (during this time earth and it's people will face disasters and destruction that will make today look like paradise), Jesus will return, with His people, and will set up a worldwide Kingdom. Everyone will acknowledge Him as King of Kings at that time.
"For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Rom. 14:12
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phl. 2:10-11
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phl. 2:10-11
So, now you see the "why." As for the "why now", it's because there are still some folks out there that are yet to be called to the salvation found in Jesus.
If I can be of service to God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ in sending out the Word of God to those people, I will do so with happiness and joy. I, along with all my brothers and sisters in Christ, would be overjoyed to have more people join the family.
Grace and Peace....
If I can be of service to God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ in sending out the Word of God to those people, I will do so with happiness and joy. I, along with all my brothers and sisters in Christ, would be overjoyed to have more people join the family.
Grace and Peace....
