Time To Go!!!!!!
Job 19:25 puts it very clear. Job says, “I know that my redeemer lives! And that in the end, he will stand upon the earth!”
Pretty good insight for a man that was saying this 4000 years ago. 2000 years before Christ was even born!
I want to tell you all a story, about a man, his wife and his children.
He had a very loving family. They were all so close. His 3 children were a true blessing to this man. In all that he did, he loved them with all the love a father could. He provided for them. He had a beautiful home that they lived in. They were receiving the best education that money could buy! The best opportunity was sure to be theirs!
This man was a very successful man. He had worked hard for his chance at his own business, and it paid off! He started an Import/Export business in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles. His connections from his past proved very useful! All that he did somehow transformed into a very lucrative estate. The Lord had blessed his family with much!
This man had married the woman of his dreams too! She was the very eye of his passion. He took care of her in all that he could. He treated her with love and honor. She was his reason for life. All he did, he did so for her and their 3 children.
He was a very large giver to the Church and to other worthy causes. He taught his kids that you should always put back into society what you take out!
He was a very caring and understanding employer as well. He treated his employees fairly and justly. He paid them well for a job well done! There were many times when he gave too many chances to some. But he genuinely cared about his people.
This man was by all means a good man. He believed that what goes around comes around! So why not spread a little love and happiness around?!
We probably all know someone of this caliber. Someone who genuinely cares for all those around them.
Well one day, this man was at a local park enjoying his company barbecue with his family, friends and employees. This was their 15th
year in business! What a celebration this was to be! They had live entertainment. They had all the food being catered by the best in the area. They had an awards ceremony.
His family was having a great time. His employees and friends were having a great time! He was having a great time! His children were playing with the other kids. He was talking to his wife about their anniversary plans for next month. They were going to visit the Grand Cayman Islands. They were to spend 2 weeks all alone there and then another on a deserted island! Right when life seemed to be in a perfect splendor for this man, it happened. His world came unraveled within the blink of an eye!
There was music from above, very loud and beautiful music. Much louder than the band that had suddenly ceased playing. Then he looked up. He could see it through the clouds, making it’s way out to the open sky. It was beginning to take a shape. The shape of a man!
Wait, he knew this man! He had seen his face somewhere else?
But who could this be that was so important that he entered through the clouds? That the Angels would be his opening chorus?!
Then it hit him, as it did to millions of others. This was the Christ! The son Of God! He was keeping good on his word! Hew was coming back for those that had received him into their lives! His wife had told him so many times about this event! Then he turned to see her, but she was not there. She was just there though. He looked around and did not see her. In fact, he saw something that made his heart sink. He saw that over ½ of the people had vanished. They were gone. Just vanished. His children were no longer playing on the slides as they had been just a few short minutes ago. All the children were gone. It hit him. If only he would have listened to his loving wife. If only he would have heeded the call to Jesus when it came so many times in his life. It was too late. He was lost.
Some people would say that this man should not have been left behind. He was a good and just man. He was a loving man. He helped so many. But the scripture has told us for over 2000 years that good deeds will not save you.
In John 1:12 we read, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God!”
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his on and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Simply put, If you accept Christ in to your life you will be saved, if not- you won’t. Period.
This story serves as a wake up call for some. An alarm clock for others. And a great story about what is to come for others!
Today, I want to point out some scriptures to you. Things that make you ask yourself if you are ready for this eternal move that we will one day make!
Luke 12:37-38 tells us to, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning. Like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open he door for him.”
We need to be ready. But when will it be? Well I want to share a story with you.
One day there were three demons having a discussion about ways of tempting people. One said, “We can tell them that God is not real!” The others Said, “Nah, that won’t work. There is too much proof.”
Another said, “We can tell them there is no hope!!” Still another said, “No, that won’t work. They already know about Jesus!” Then the last one said, “I got it!! We can tell them that they have plenty of time!!!!” And they all agreed that this would be effective!
Don’t let them persuade you. Whether the second coming is today, or in 200 years, you do not know when you will be taken away from this world!
Luke 12:37 says, “It will be good for those servants whose masters find them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.”
Wow! He will serve us?! What a true blessing that will be!!!!!
2Timothy 2:11-12 says, “ If we died with him, we will also live with him: If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us!”
This was actually a hymn that proclaims that God is faithful to his children. He promises us that even though we may have to endure hardships here on earth, that one day we will be living and eternity with him!
Are you facing hardships? Do not give up! God promises you a wonderful future with him!
I think of all those people that have forsaken him. They will not be inheriting the kingdom of God, rather the wrath of God!!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us, “ For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an Archangel and the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds top meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
Michael is the only Archangel mentioned in the New Testament. An
archangel is an angel that has a position of authority and of leadership.
All believers throughout history will stand reunited in God’s very presence. They will be safe and secure. We should not worry or despair when loved ones die that are believers. For we will be reunited! All Christians from all times will live with the Christ forever! Amen.
And for those who have not accepted Christ their savior, well, then it will be too late! You see, Hebrews 9:28 is very explicitly saying, “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him!”
Once he comes back, that’s it! Times up!
Some may say that I am wrong. That the word of God is wrong. But have faith that those who say these things will certainly face God. What will They say then?!!!
It is said that about 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror
Charlemagne was opened. The sight the workmen saw was startling.
There was his body in a sitting position, clothed in the most
elaborate of kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand.
On his knee lay the Holy Scriptures, with a cold, lifeless finger
pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall
gain the whole world, and loose his own soul?"
I want everyone to realize that good deeds are not going to save you! Your eyes and lives should be focused on Jesus and all he has in store for you. He is my best friend. He can be your best friend too!
For all those who say I am wrong, I say that if I am, I still live a great life. Good friends, family and I can lay my head down at night. If you are right, I lose nothing. But if I am right, You lose it all!
[Good Won’t Get You There, Feda H. Babinski]
I’m standing there in front of gates like none I’ve ever found
They shine like golden ribbons as they glide across the ground
I see the stairs that never end how brilliantly they glow
I start to climb and realize there’s nothing down below
Then suddenly the two appear yes they must be my guide
They didn’t speak or show their face while they were by my side
We reached the top and I was placed in line with everyone
The two so quickly disappeared I guess their job was done
Such purity was all around so it just had to be
The day that would determine where I’d spend eternity
The line moved very slowly but since I’d been good and kind
I knew where I was going so I really didn’t mind
I watched so many walk away with wings as white as snow
The others were escorted out to where? I didn’t know
My turn had come to face the Lord but much to my surprise
I didn’t feel so confident when I looked in his eyes
I felt His power all around and nothing was the same
He opened up this golden book and asked me for my name
He said, "Where your name should appear there’s just a vacancy"
I said, But God I’ve been so good please look again for me"
God closed the book and tiny angels wiped his tears away
He said, "I hope you’ll understand what I’m about to say
Do you recall that poor old man who asked you for a dime?
You hurried passed and said to him that you did not have time
There also was a little child who wanted you to play
Again you didn’t have the time and pushed the child away
In line while at the grocery store she tried to hurry so
You grumbled as you passed her by because she moved too slow
You see, I came so many times but you turned me away
So now I don’t know who you are I’m sad for you today
If I’m not living in your heart you can’t be free from sin
So being good is not enough you must be Born Again"
The two appeared just like before they stood close by my side
This time I saw their faces and became so terrified
Through tears I was escorted to my final destiny
I had no one to blame at all except for one, just me
Then suddenly a ringing sound completely filled my head
I opened up my eyes and found that I was still in bed
Through sweat and tears I realized how real our dreams could be
And then I wondered just how long that God would wait for me
That night I gave my heart away I’m Born Again through prayer
God proved to me with so much love that "Good Won’t Get You There"
