What Now? What’s Next?

Forethoughts Contemplating: “In The Twinkling of an Eye”

Where Did Everyone Go?

Imagine a world without Christians? What would that be like for the people who are left behind? Within a moment's time, Christians will be gone as described in I Corinthians 15:52. 

52  It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. (KJV).

Flash forward to that foretold event. Two people will be side by side working and one will be gone…. Just like that! You blink and poof, vanished! No doubt those who remain will be wondering, Where did they go?

This is NOT a new concept. Since the beginning of time, prophecies have been proclaimed in God’s Word. (Jude 14-15) Jesus is coming back for His bride—the Church. We have to be ready. If we are not, then what happens to those who aren’t? (Matthew 24)

I am writing to you about our future, imagining it as if mankind is already there—Living in full display of a promised event foretold in Scriptures long ago. In other words, I am writing this with the imagination that the Second Coming of Christ has already taken place—Starting with the Rapture of His Church.

So, what would it be like living in a world without Christians? I imagine it would be horrible. You see, many people are sanctified because of the Christian’s influence surrounding them.

By sanctified, I mean people are set apart as holy for God’s purposes according to biblestudytools.com. Notice the word Bible in this link, so yes, this word sanctify comes from the Bible— It comes from God. Note: The Bible is THE most important book you will ever read because it literally is a love letter from The LORD, God Almighty.

God is holy, and He wants His people to be holy. That’s what sanctify means. He sanctifies us, His children.

If we look at 1 Corinthians 7:14, it provides us with a picture of what this word sanctified means.

14 For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.

Sanctify means holy. As I recall, the Apostle Paul is speaking to people who are contemplating divorce. He is speaking to the believers, explicitly stating not to leave the unbelievers if those unbelievers wanted to stay married because the believing husband or wife makes the unbelieving husband or wife holy. He was saying those unbelieving people are holy because you are living with them. Your closeness in proximity makes them holy because Jesus lives within the believer’s heart — Jesus lives within their very souls making them holy.

The Apostle Paul continues, “Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?” (I Corinthians 7:16, NLT).

So, what happens when the believers are no longer with you? What happens when that believer disappears “in the twinkling of an eye”?

Where Will You Find Your Holiness, Now?

Most certainly, these sanctified people are the born again believers who follow Jesus’ teachings as indicated in the Bible. I am most certain if/when this event has truly happened, those who remain, are most certainly in panic mode because now the people filled with His holiness are gone—tucked safely within the arms of our Living God.

So, What Does That Mean for Those Who Remain?

Woe! My first thoughts cling to an overwhelming fear acknowledged by those who remain. I’m sure they may be feeling left out and abandoned—Not really knowing what has taken place; much less knowing what to do. All along, they have obtained the blessing from God under the coat-tails of a loved one. Now, what will they do?

But that my friend, is exactly what darkness wants people to believe... Satan lies! He wants everyone to lose all hope for our eternal future.

From this point forward, they like everyone else will have to find comforts from God.

We have to turn our thoughts to the Truth found in God. What does His Word, say?

Know this! If you are left here on Earth, I believe opportunities to make this right are still available. You are still alive and still breathing, so this is a good thing. God loves us—more than you and me both can ever imagine. John 3:16 proclaims this when it says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” His Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever…

However, just reading and knowing this does not make you a true believer. You have to truly believe to the point of proclaiming and fighting for your beliefs and obeying Him through actions. We have to work out our salvation with trembling and fear.

Time is short and you will have to move beyond this knowledge into the realm of knowing Jesus as your Savior, believing in Him through reading His Word—the Bible and starting that conversation with Him that builds your relationship with Him, heeding His voice by taking action—doing what He says. Guess what? That means He has to know you, too.

Get a grip on these three things that Jesus wants us to do. If you can’t figure this out, then ask Jesus to give you an understanding of what He wants from you, then do it.

1. You Must Be Born Again and Make It Personal

Jesus told a religious leader that we must be born again. We have to believe that He died, rose again, and is living on the right hand Throne of God. Listen as Jesus tells Nicodemus about being born again as told in the Book of John.

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound,
but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

John 3: 1-8

2. This Comes through Faith

Now, Jesus is drawing people into Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot see the Holy Spirit, yet, He is there. We can’t see Jesus either. Believing in this requires faith. Even though we can’t see Hi, doesn’t mean we can’t look to Him. He is there, in our presence if you invite Him. According to Scripture, “...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

Today is the day to begin your walk as a Christian. I can’t do that for you because you have to make that decision for yourself.

So, the answer to our “how” question is we must be born again through faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.“

Hmmm, “He that hath an ear…” Yes, His Word speaks to our heart—Through FAITH! Jesus longs to see you turn toward Him and He can’t wait to hear your voice. This faith is believing He is there right in front of you, facing Him face to face. If you want to be part of His universal church, then you have to truly believe to the point of fully believing in His Truth to the point of surrendering to His perfect will, and speaking that invitation for Him to walk into your life, your heart, and your circumstances.

Earnestly Contend for Your Faith

Our faith in the LORD, Jesus Christ is so important that Jude— Jesus’ half brother declares that it must be a priority even unto death. He writes, “1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, [and] called: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1-3).

Contend means to fight for and keep, even if it means that you will die because of your belief in Jesus is of utmost importance. Keep strong and stand with this knowledge of Christ, asking Him to help you with boldness and sincerity.

If we consider this point, coupled with Jesus standing at the door of our hearts, we can boldly say, “Yes, please LORD come into my life and help me follow You and Your plan of salvation for my life.”

Comprehend this message! Listen for His voice. It is filled with peace, pleading as a whisper inside your inner being, contemplating for you to come to Him and open the door of your heart; He hears our prayers, so say them out loud. “Jesus, come into my heart and be my LORD!” Once we do this, He promises to never leave us nor forsake us.

Immediately, God’s mercy, peace, and love should warm your heart as you welcome His presence through your invitation to come inside your heart as a home for Him to reside. This is two fold because it also implies that you will abide in Him. This brings about peace flowing within your heart. It is like a king who has been anointed with oil, clothing us with stability. Don’t leave this to chance, my friend! Surrender fully to this call upon your heart! He wants nothing more than to get to know you, via this mutual conversation between you and Him.

Duly noted, we as humans can only expect a desire for Him through reading His Word and through prayer, being thankful for this newfound relationship with the King of all kings and LORD of all. We can also expect a few shortcomings which present us with another aspect of being a Christian. The path which leads to life is straight and narrow. We have to repent when we veer off to the left or right, staying connected to Him when we get off coarse.

Repentance

We have to be humble and holy. We must look at the verse directly before Jesus standing at our hearts door verse. It’s not by coincidence that He says this in Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”

Be Humble and Repent

Listen, we all fall short and fail from time to time. No one is perfect except GOD, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. When you do wrong, The Holy Spirit will prompt you in the way we should go. It may be a quiet nudge in your heart or something very different.

When we are truly sorrowful, we can go before our Father in heaven and turning our hearts toward Him, repenting of our sins.In its most elementary form, that means you are bowing your head in sorrow, saying Jesus’ name out loud and stating that you are sorry for not doing what is right. It’s a humble experience, yes. But it also wrapped around holiness, sanctification, and honor towards God.

This repentance allows forgiveness to flow through our lives because that is what Christianity is all about— the Savior, Jesus Christ, dying for our sins so we can find forgiveness in His love. This process is due to God showing mercy towards us because He is a loving God. Please note, He did this while we were yet sinners.

A Call to Persevere

As a new found believer, know that these days ahead will be trying. The Bibles states that this will be a time of great turmoil as never before. It states that this will be a time of great suffering and that it is His hope that we are “considered worthy of the kingdom of God,..” (2 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV). This means that we become worthy because of Jesus. The Apostle Paul is talking about our hope is found in Jesus. He also adds that we too will also suffer because of our Hope in Jesus.

The verse continues by saying this judgement “will begin after the restrainer is taken out of the way” (FireBible Notes on Jude, page 2239), and notes from 2 Thessalonians 1:7 reads, “But, God’s faithful people will experience relief from the world’s punishment when He removes them from the earth. (see article on THE RAPTURE…), page 2083).”

Now, we are back to square one, if this event has NOT taken place, yet! You win! Our imaginary glimpse of a future event has not occurred. Luckily, and God willing, you are still awaiting and anticipating free passage on this upcoming adventure of a lifetime. I sincerely hope you gain passage and press into the love that God has offered through His only begotten Son — Jesus. However, just in case you lay these thoughts aside, keep them in the back of your mind because you never know when these things will take place. Trust me, this information on the salvation of your soul is something you are going to want to burn/store in the inner core of your mind.

You are going to want your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and the only way to do that is to start your faith walk in Jesus because He is the Perfect Lamb of God who was slain. His blood can and will cover your sins, your strongholds, your addictions, and your rebellion. Everyone is a whosoever in John 3:16. Whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Those who don’t, will not enter into His kingdom because they have been condemn by their unbelief.

More More More to Come

“51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed “(I Corinthians 15, NLT)

Where does that place you? Hopefully, you are now held within the mix of those who will experience relief from the world’s punishment. You know, the ones who are considered worthy of His kingdom—Of course, remember, we are Not worthy by anything we have done, but we become worthy by having faith in the One who has done everything for us. Yes, His blood paid the price for our sins. Thank You, LORD! You are so Worthy!

Yes, I hope that includes you, His beloved. Yes, you are His beloved. I hope that means you are spending time with Him in prayer and that you have an earnest desire of getting to know Him through His Word— Growing in His grace, Abiding in Him, Trusting Him with your future, and telling others about His love so that they too can join us and become part of His kingdom that is coming soon. The kingdom that is here— right now because He lives inside our hearts, and we are led by His Holy Spirit, enjoying Him with believers doing what He wants us to do.

It truly is the only way we are going to be able to withstand the hard times ahead. Fortunately, if my understanding of Scripture is correct, we will be caught up to the heavens when The Trumpet sounds… “So, when all these things begin to happen, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Last But Not Least: Looking Ahead

3. Live Right — Show Others — Tell Others

Jude teaches us to show mercy, peace, and love toward some. More specifically it reads to “some have compassion, making a difference; 23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire” (vs 22, KJV). Jude reads:

A Call to Persevere

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18  They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. ”
19  It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
20  But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
22  And have mercy on those who doubt;
23  save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 

Doxology

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(ESV)

Conclusion

So, if you have been one of those people relying on someone else to get you into heaven. Remember, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life… Please note: Your friend or loved one is not mentioned in that verse. It’s Jesus. He is the One that you must go to obtain your salvation.

When considering your eternal home—the salvation of your soul, emphasize the following points.

1 There is nothing more important than the salvation of your soul. Get your name written in His Book called The Lamb’s Book of Life.

2. The Bible is absolute truth. If you are questioning anything about The Lamb’s Book of Life then you better open your Bible and prayerfully read it. It is our love letter inspired by The Holy Spirit written from God to you for the call of salvation on your life.

3. Jesus is the standard to live by and follow. As stated before — He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. We have to Follow Him. This road can be difficult, so abide in Him. Your prayers should be an intimate face to face time with our Heavenly Father — A time of relief to pour out your problems your praises and thanksgivings with the fullness of knowing that He is for you and that nothing can separate you from His love.

In closing, the Bible sincerely encourages us to work out our salvation with trembling and fear. It also states in Hebrews 10: ”31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Might I add, there is also nothing better than to lay your problem at His feet, soaking in His presence, trusting in His love and peace. There is nothing better than receiving His love, His forgiveness, and welcoming His time, and His way. Praising and worshipping Him because He alone is worthy of our praise.

We have to choose the loving grace of God. He wants us to be godly and the only way to do that is to abide in Him. If we choose that for us, we have to extend it to others.

In conclusion, my hopeful prayer declares complete reliance and total surrender toward our LORD and Savior, seeking God’s perfect will for all of us as we claim this verse found in Jude. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

PS. If for some reason, you are reading this because everyone has disappeared… Get a Bible…

Read this “4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.” (Matthew 24, NLT)

How do people get deceived? Believe it or not, it begins with unbelief. People’s hearts are turned when they do not listen to God in His Word, if you continually turn away from the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and go in a different direction from where you know you should go. This is sin. If you know to do right and don’t do it, you are setting yourself up for deception. Repent quickly, and ask the LORD to turn your heart towards Him, and ask Him to come into yours, to forgive you of your sins, and lead you into the plan He has for you for your life.

Claim this verse from the book of Psalms, “Create in me a clean heart, oh LORD, my God. And renew the right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence oh LORD. Take not they HOLY SPIRIT from me. Restore to me, the joy of my salvation, and renew the right spirit within me.

Also, Start Praying! Let me get you started… Jesus, Heavenly Father, and Holy Spirit, I need You. Please help me…

My Prayer for you… I pray Jesus will draw us into His presence and open our ears to hear His call for our life. I pray we will earnestly surrender to His will and way. I pray we will earnestly seek Him, furthering His kingdom to prosper and grow by using our God given talents to encourage others and grow His Kingdom by abiding in and relying on The Holy Spirit’s leading. May God bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and give you His peace and be gracious to you. Amen.

Reference and Study Notes

Below are my notes and notes from bible study.com and the Blue Letter Bible app (BLB) and biblestudytools.com. Feel free to spend time researching. You will always be blessed through the study and reading of God’s Word. I also would encourage you to purchase a good study Bible. May God bless your journey and find you in His grace, mercy and love. In Jesus’ name I pray and ask for God’s leading in your life. May He send His angels of salvation and protection to guide and guard your steps.

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The Second Coming of Christ is closer than many may realize. We have to be ready.

Below are a few notes taken from FireBible English Standard Version study notes.

More notes are on the next article. Notes on What Now, What’s Next