There have been many great and significant events in the history of these United States of America. Many people remember just where they were when they heard the news of such events for the first time. When remembering significant things that have happened in our country invariably people will ask the question, “Where were you?” when this particular event happened. Forever ingrained in our memories is where we were or what we were doing when particular events have taken place or we received the news of such things for the first time.
I can remember hearing my dad talk of the time after the December 7th, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor how his family was gathered around the radio listening to then President Franklin D. Roosevelt declare war on Japan in 1941. If I remember correctly the FDR said I don’t want war. Eleanor don’t want war. Fifi don’t want war. But these United States of America declare war on Japan.
That memory will always be in his mind and he will always remember where he was and what he was doing on that day. Some of you may remember that day as well. Where were you?
Friday, November 22, 1963 started out just like any other day in history and yet every one of you that was alive at that time will probably remember that day very vividly in your minds. It was the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. No doubt you remember just where you were and what you were doing when you heard the tragic news for the first time on that day. It will forever be in your memory.
Where were you?
Perhaps you remember hearing the news of the first man walking on the moon – Neil Armstrong.
Maybe you remember hearing the news of the death of a certain music legend by the name of Elvis Pressley.
Where were you?
In 1981 on March 30th I can remember sitting in front of the family radio all day long. It was the day that there was an attempted assassination on President Ronald Reagan. We lived at 185 Birchwood Street and all day until the evening I was there in front of the radio listening to the reports that came in.
Where were you?
In 1986 I can remember hearing that the space shuttle Challenger had exploded upon takeoff. I guess I remember that day so well because I was skipping school and I was sitting in the parking lot of Bradlees listening to the broadcast of the takeoff of the space shuttle. It was the one where teachers were on the mission. I can remember just sitting there in disbelief listening to the news.
Where were you?
Several years ago now in the month of August I can remember being in Buffalo New York at a family reunion and I was standing outside of the hotel Super 8 and hearing the news of Princess Di being in a crash and dying.
Where were you?
Just over the past few days starting on September 11th 2001, our country has faced some incredible tragedies. Forever in my mind will be the images that I have seen starting on that day. I will remember just where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news for the first time.
Today our country stands on the very threshold of war. It could be that this event will trigger the beginning of a war that the Bible says must happen before the end of time. And so with that in mind I would like to ask you another question this morning and that is – NOT “Where were you?” But, “Where will you be?”
∑ Where will you be when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more?
∑ Where will you be during that great catching away?
∑ Where will you be during the most significant event that will ever happen in human history?
∑ Where will you be during what the Bible calls the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ?
∑ Where will you be when God gathers his bride together on that great day?
∑ It will be the greatest day that the church has ever known.
∑ It will be the greatest day that the saint of God has ever known.
∑ It will be the greatest day that the sinner that has been saved by grace has ever known.
It will be a great day for the:
∑ Drug addict that has given his heart to God
∑ Alcoholic that has been set free from the bonds of sin
∑ Immoral whose lifestyle has been changed by Jesus Christ
∑ Liar who has found a friend so true in Jesus
∑ Cheater who has been delivered by the blood of Jesus Christ
Oh what a great day that will be – But where will you be on that day.
The Bible talking of that day says this:
John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 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:
17 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 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.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
2 Peter 3:1-18
No man knows the day or the hour – we must be ready always.
How to be ready?
Repent
Baptized in Jesus Name
Holy Ghost
Where will you be?
