The Bible is a holy book written by men with inspiration from God (2 Timothy 3:16). God speaks to man in different ways. One of such ways is His word in written form revealed to His children. I believe God is using this article to speak to someone.
While studying my Bible recently, I read the book of Matthew chapter 24; when I got verse 40, I meditated on what Jesus said, “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” Then I pondered as a development practitioner where every action taken should be evidence-based. I asked the Holy Spirit what the criteria for one person being taken and the other left behind is. He responded and said, “Continue reading from verse 43 down to the end of the chapter.” As I followed His instructions, I began to understand why one person will be taken and the other left when the Lord Jesus Christ will come again. The Holy Spirit then asked me to put it in writing and share with His church and the entire people of the world.
Matthew 24 is a narrative of signs of the end of the world system. Jesus Christ sat on the Mount of Olives to explain to His disciples what to expect to signal His coming which will mark the end of the world. This message is a revelation of what we need to do to avoid missing the glory that comes with being caught up in the air to be with Jesus Christ. These days so many are comfortable and used to prosperity messages and do not care about this kind of messages. It is very fine to be prosperous financially and other ways in order to enjoy life on earth, but God wants us to continue that enjoyment after our time on earth.
From the look of things happening in the world, the signs of the end Jesus narrated are already manifesting. It is glaring that we are in the end times. Nations have been rising against nations in wars, terrorism and conflicts; famine and pestilence; and tribulations in the form of all manner of pandemic and epidemic are common. Many are being deceived everyday by false Christs and false prophets.
So many have given up on God and returned to their ungodly lifestyle with the excuse that this end-time message has been on since the days of their great grandparents. It is time to return to God because Jesus said, “…..I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Rev 22:12) The word ‘quickly’ used here might be the next second because God’s timing is different from that of man.
There is this argument that the word ‘rapture’ is not in the Bible, however, it is used to describe part of the events of Christ’s second coming. Jesus said, “Then one shall be taken….” The question one may ask is, where shall this one be taken to? The answer to this question was given to and revealed by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 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 in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
We can see that God’s own will meet with Jesus Christ in the air to be and reign with Him forever (Rev 20:6-7). Hallelujah! Glory to God. This calls for quick action on our part and conscious steps taken to avoid missing this glorious translation. So what do we do? We need to be ready. So many are not ready and not prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus said it will be as the days of Noah where men and women were still living ungodly lifestyle despite His warning through Noah. They continued with their sinful life until the flood came to wipe them away to their graves. It is high time you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ if you have not done so to join this end-time Jesus’ ‘Ark’.
For those who have identified with Jesus Christ, you need to be faithful, serving God in all ramifications. Service to God does not have time for holiday; so one needs to be steadfast because no one knows the hour Christ will appear. Jesus said only His Father knows the hour (Matt 24:36).
To be a heaven-bound candidate, you must live a holy life. Holy in action, conversation and thoughts. One thing that will spur you up to be faithful in God’s kingdom service is being expectant. Expect Jesus’ return because be it during your life time or after your time on earth, He will definitely come (Acts 1:11; Phil 3:20). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, buy my words shall not pass away.” What He has said concerning His coming again is already settled in heaven. He will surely come to take His people home.
Remember, hell was prepared for satan and his followers; so hell is not your place to be. If you find yourself in hell, it is the choice you have made. It is high time you looked at your life and ask yourself, suppose I be in a field with someone else and Jesus appears, who will be taken?
We will look deeply into ways to get ourselves ready through the help of the Holy Spirit for Jesus’ second coming in the next articles. If you are yet to give your life to Christ, say this prayer of salvation.
By: Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 