EXPRESS IMAGE GLORY MINISTRIES
THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 2, No. 45 – Monday, 6th November, 2017
(1 Cor.15:12-58, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17, Revelation 1:7-8)
RAPTURE
Questions and counterquestions, founded and unfounded premises and conclusions, arguments and counterarguments have arisen over the myriad of years on the subject of rapture.
Two foremost questions have been the questions: is the rapture truly real? If it is real, what time is it taking place? I have but few words for every man caught in the web of these most unnecessary dilemma – questions.
First, the rapture (which is the taking up of saved and qualified souls to heaven to be with Christ Jesus our Lord) is very real.
Second, no one knows the actual moment. However, if it does not occur in one’s lifetime, then one can be sure that should one die before the time then one’s rapture is already set in motion (Hebrews 9:27). The foregoing statement scores a major point: readiness is the key.
Preparing to meet one’s Lord ahead of the day of death whether it comes or not is unarguably the wisest and greatest step any man can take. Humanity as a whole is an evolution. How? Man evolved from life and by the unchanging standard of existence, man must one day evolved into the climax of his existence otherwise known as death.
This is a natural law of a continuum kind. As great as the Patriarchs of Faith, the great Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, eventful politicians, astute academics and most renowned men have been, exemption clauses in the law of man and even the Almighty could not exempt them from this natural phenomenon except for Elijah and Enoch.
I therefore conclude that any life within this present realm of existence not ready at every moment to meet his/her Maker and who is not in active service for his/her Maker is but a wasted life so far. The Apostle Paul put it more apt in this manner: ‘if only in this world we have hope, then we are of all men most miserable’.
Are you ready for the coming of the Lord? Your conscience will provide you the right answer. Are you ready for the Master? Your ways will confirm it. Faithful service to the Lord with a Spirit-controlled life and through a pure heart is a guarantee for rapture or for death at whatever time they come.
In closing, I contend that whatever holds you from righteous living will stop you from being air-lifted by the invisible lift of the rapture. If one’s mind is gripped with fear at the point of receiving holy communion, such a-one is yet to obtain the first-class ticket on board the aircraft of the rapture.
There are both salient and subtle spiritual issues that disqualify man from the rapture. Saliently, sin is an obvious one. Subtly, certain spiritual and physical attitudes are equally another. For example, how do we respond or treat our children when in moments of unhappiness? With love or with transfer of aggression?
How do you dress your children? In attires unacceptable to Bible standard? Hmmm! I hope you realize that you are responsible for those children. Mr brother and Mrs sister, do you change natural courses? To you, it is toning; and even if it is blitching, is it not your own body? Why should any one question you? Be ready, rapture will question you.
What is our attitude to the study of the Bible? Studying the Bible so as to pick up Scriptures to fight our neighbours, protect our interests or cover up some wrongs? Are you such a pastor that pays no attention to Godly correction?
Are you such a pastor that cannot admit wrongs? Do you as a person maintain a long ‘red account’ of sin in your relationship with God? Churches and ministries who have no room for exercising spiritual discipline because they don’t want to lose large crowd from their congregation are not assemblies preparing men and women for rapture.
Continuing to associate with persons that draw you back from Godly treasures, journeys and relationships are unpreparing you to meet with your Creator. The end of such association may cost you to miss the rapture.
IN THE END, BE SURE THAT YOUR SMARTNESS CAN ENSURE THAT EVERY MAN SEES YOU AS A SAINT. BUT YOUR SECRET PARTS WILL BE ENTIRELY EXPOSED WHEN THE RAPTURE LEAVES YOU BEHIND OR WHEN DEATH TAKES YOU AT UNAWARES. THERE IS THEREFORE NO OTHER MOMENT TO MAKE AMENDS WITH YOUR MAKER OTHER THAN NOW. FOR THE GREATEST ENEMY OF NOW IS NEXT; NEXT IS SHIFTING THE GOALPOST. NEXT IS POSTPONEMENT; AND POSTPONEMENT IS EVER TOO LATE.
Altar call: Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Psalm 54 in closing and pray more).
Hymn: The Great Judgement Morning
Pray now:
- Read Psalm 51 and repent of any known sin (do not repeat any sin once confessed to God and forgiven. Learn to forgive yourself).
- Read Romans 15:1-4, and ask for grace to please God and your neighbours.
- Ask the Lord for wisdom to cut off friends and associates who will draw you back from being rapturable.
- Ask for grace to be happy and maintain a heart of happiness and gratitude.
- O God, let not the cares of life so weigh me down until rapture becomes but mere fables to me.
- Lord Jesus, on account of your mercy, attend to the following spiritual, marital, financial, physical, emotional and other needs of my life today.
Pastor Mike
