Awake, ye that slumber,
Awake from your sleep,
With lamps trimmed and burning,
A watch you must keep,
You know not how quickly,
The cry you may hear,
Go forth to meet the Bridegroom,
For lo, He is near.
Behold, He cometh,
The blessd Bridegroom cometh,
Then go ye forth to meet Him,
A glad and grateful throng.
Behold, He cometh,
The blessd Bridegroom cometh,
Then go ye forth to meet Him,
With a happy, happy song.
Awake, ye that slumber,
His welcome prepare.
Awake and be ready,
His banquet to share.
The hour is approaching,
No time for repose,
The open door of mercy,
Forever may close.
Awake, ye that slumber,
No longer despise
The warning that bids you
Be watchful and wise.
The Bridegroom may tarry,
But true to His word,
Your blessd call to meet Him
Will surely be heard.
“Behold, He Cometh”, Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
It will be an ordinary day on the earth
It may be sunny in some places, it may be cloudy in others – but the sky will tell a different story.
More powerful than an atomic burst, yet silent – in a flash billions of people will disappear.
Can you imagine cars flying down the freeway with no drivers; planes will be missing pilots; children in school buses and in playgrounds and classrooms, all over the world, will vanish. Buildings will empty, soldiers on battle fields will be MIA.
News reports will spread like wildfire. People will frantically search for their loved ones, but phone calls and texts will go unanswered. Christian press will be strangely silent. Billions will exit the planet in an instant and billions will be left behind.
Matthew 24:40, “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.”
It will be chaos on the globe – but glorious joy in the skies.
Are you scared or are you fascinated? Will you shrug this off as a hoax or will you be ready, waiting and looking up?
This isn’t science fiction or a conspiracy theory. When Christ comes for His people it will be in the twinkling of an eye. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” If you are Christ’s it makes all the difference in the world.
So if you knew Jesus and His angels were coming tomorrow at noon to rapture His church, would you be ready? The thing is we don’t know when He will come. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say “Peace and safety!” then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” And, if you knew that there would be unimaginable chaos for those left on the earth, would you want to be here?
There’s one sure way to have your ticket ready for the great escape and that is to surrender yourself to Jesus and let Jesus into your heart today. Accept the hope that is in Him now, for there won’t be time at the actual moment He calls us up. Be ready. We all must be ready, eager, looking up and waiting.
When you come to Jesus, He provides several things for you:
- He will save you from your sins, when you ask for forgiveness. He makes you whiter than snow. When Jesus died on the cross, it was not merely a gesture of love. Jesus’ death on the cross was payment for every sin, every thought or action we know is wrong.
- He will never leave you or forsake you no matter what you go through between now and when He returns. He is forever with you. Many problems in life are brought on by ourselves or by others. Many can be avoided simply by having God’s wisdom and guidance. He personally offers to be our guide and our light. John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
- He provides strength, encouragement and comfort when you stay focused on Him. John 6:35, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” We all long for something that is constantly available and gives us satisfaction.
- He gives you eternal life. We do not get to heaven by our own efforts. It’s not by our living a good life or avoiding certain sins. We can never be good enough. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” John 3:15-17, “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jesus said in John 5:24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes in Him who sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Everlasting life is simply the continuation of a relationship that we begin with him now. It’s a forever relationship.
There is nothing that needs to happen before Jesus comes. As a Christian I just want to take as many people with me as I can. Let today be the moment you take a fresh look at your life so you have no regrets on that Day!
For those of you reading these posts and just came upon them and don’t know Jesus as your personal Saviour, I do hope you will seek Him out. You can start by saying this little prayer and inviting Him into your heart. Start reading your Bible and finding other Christians who can help you understand more. Pray to the Father for wisdom and understanding and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through your readings. When you ask it will happen. God Bless You.
