It is my observation that
more Christians are realizing we are approaching Christ’s
return. Unfortunately,
they still comprise a very large minority in Christendom. All Christians will
be taken by surprise when this takes place because none of us know God’s timing
for the Rapture. However, most Christians will REALLY be surprised since they
either do not believe in the Rapture of the Church or are unfamiliar with this
event.
Sad to say, many of those who
will not be a part of the snatching away (Rapture) of the true Church, will be
shocked, horrified and angry. Others will be delighted that we are gone.
The Bible is very clear that
prior to the seven years (Tribulation) remaining on Israel’s time clock, the
Lord Jesus Christ will remove His Church. By my saying, “Are your bags packed” I
simply mean for Christians, “Are you looking for our Lord’s return?” For those
who are not Christians I am saying, “If you are alive at that time, will you
have made yourself ready between now and then?”
If we were to use this
analogy of having our bags packed, what would a Christian pack in his/her bag?
Could we say, “I packed my church membership or my good works?” No, we cannot
say that, because no one can become a Christian (a follower of Christ) apart
from simple, child-like faith in Jesus Christ. This simple faith in Him has
triggered our repentance and total faith in Jesus to save us and to keep us. We
are saved by His grace through faith and nothing else. So, there is nothing we
can pack that assures our place in Heaven unless it is something that comes
from Him. What could that be?
“And you also were included
in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy
Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our
inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the
praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV)
My wife and I have learned
over the years when going on vacation to pack lighter and lighter because we
rarely use most of what we take with us, especially the clothes. When the
Rapture occurs our clothes will be the righteousness of Christ, and that is all
we need. That is the only thing that will guarantee our admittance in our Father’s
house anyway.
I have no idea of the
percentage, but I dare say that the world at large believes we must provide our
own works to gain entrance into Heaven. Even in religious circles, most seem to
think we have to add something to help Jesus out in our salvation and even to
keep us from losing it.
If you are relying on anything
other than child-like faith in Jesus Christ to save and keep you, you are
remiss in what God requires of us.
How many pride themselves on
the name over the church doors thinking that church organization is all they
need? They’re a member now, so everything is okay.
How many gloat over they’re
supposed good works, thinking that surely they could never be denied Heaven
because they are such a good person?
Even true faith is often
misunderstood today. It is actually politically correct today to proclaim, with
chest out, that we have faith. Most everyone is talking about faith, but it is
an empty faith. I, and I’m sure you too, have heard many over the last few
years boast of their faith, thinking that is all they need. They can live like
hell, but as long as they have faith, everything is okay, because they have
faith. However, their faith is a sham, because it isn’t real. The issue here is
that a true Christian speaks of a real faith that rests in Jesus Christ and Him
alone. The world talks of a faith that could be in anything and often is.
The Bible says:
“What good is it, my brothers
and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith
save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If
one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does
nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by
itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You
have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show
you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons
believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without
deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he
did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his
actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was
credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that
a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the
same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she
did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different
direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is
dead.” (James 2:14-26 NIV)
On the surface, this seems
like a total contradiction to Ephesians 2:8-9 which says,
“For it is by grace you have
been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of
God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
God does not contradict
Himself, so what is He saying about faith?
He is saying in Ephesians
2:8-9 that our works cannot save us, but faith in Jesus Christ can save us, and
only because of the working power of His grace.
He is saying in James 2:14-26
that real faith, the faith of Ephesians 2:8-9, will produce works. Again, works
do not save. Only faith saves, by God’s grace, and real faith will give birth
to works. True faith gives birth to good works as a woman gives birth to a
child. Otherwise, pseudo faith is a barren womb that produces nothing.
Keep in mind that the child
comes from the woman, not the woman from the child. Produce comes from the
garden, not the garden from the produce. Therefore, good works come from real
faith, but true faith must exist to produce good works.
Many will stand before God
and pull out of their over-packed baggage church membership, walking down the
aisle, helping others, being nice, love, deeds of all sorts, etc., etc., etc.,
but still face eternity in hell.
Those who will spend eternity
in Heaven will have no baggage. With empty hands they stand before God and
claim only the righteousness of Christ He bestowed upon them when they rested
their faith in Him. They have rested their faith in Jesus Christ and put their
soul in His hands. Their heart recognized His forgiveness at the cross and His
keeping power at the empty tomb. They called Jesus their Savior and lived for
Him as their Lord. He is their King of kings and their Lord of lords. Did their
living for Him save them? No. Their faith saved them then inspired them to live
for Him. Jesus will then say of them, “He(she) is Mine.”
Don’t bother with all that
baggage. Come to Jesus with simple child-like faith. Then you can have the
assurance that you are His because you placed your trust in Him and Him alone.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
