If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a parent, it is to be careful what you tell your children.  For example, Christy and I have come to understand that if we share with Cayden and Conner that we’ll be at the beach, the waterpark or some other fun event soon, we’ll be bombarded with questions about that event until we arrive.  “How many more days until…?  Who’s gonna be there?  How long will we stay?  Are we there yet?”

I’m sure that there are some who don’t understand why I focus a good bit of my preaching and teaching on prophetic subjects such as the end of days, the rapture of the Church, Christ’s Second Coming and His reign on earth.  I’ve heard some argue that the Church needs a “right-now” word to strengthen believers and encourage them through the various difficulties that are faced on this earth.  Because of this belief, many reject the discussion of future things, supposing that we must have hope and encouragement for our present struggles.

It is true that the Word of God is relevant for each phase of our lives.  Without the truth of the Bible, there is no hope for the forgiveness of our past sins.  Without that same truth, there is no hope for the joy and peace we need to make it through the valley we’re currently in.  But I’d also like to add that the Word of God has a great deal to do with our future as well.

What is hope but the expectation that things are going to get better in the future?  A careful study of prophetic things reveals that our future is going to improve drastically…at least for believers who follow and serve Christ.  I am 33 years of age and I’ve spent most of my life hearing about the appearance of Christ in the clouds as He reunites the souls and spirits of those who have died believing in Him with the clouds of dust that now rest in the graves.  I’ve heard the Word of God quoted from 1 Thessalonians 4 where the Bible teaches that those believers who are living during this time will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air.  Even now, I can say without a doubt that I believe these things to be true and more clear than ever before.

In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke with His disciples about the nature of the world just prior to His return.  From His words, it is absolutely unmistakable that we are living in the last days.  Jesus informed His disciples, in verses 4 and 5, that spiritual deception would play a great role in the last days.  Never before has the church endured the hardships of so-called leaders and ministers who are playing the part without living the life and its had an effect.  More than ever, people all across the nation have become bitter and calloused because of spiritual leaders who have turned out to be wolves in sheep’s clothing.  The primary reason that unchurched individuals provide when asked why they don’t attend church is the lack of spiritual truth and genuine believers living out the Word of God.

He then shared with His followers that those living in the last days would hear of wars and rumors of wars.  World headlines are saturated with threats from Iran daily as they continue to attack Israel and their way of life.  Contrary to the opinions of some, the war on terror that began on September 11, 2001 is not over.  Jesus encouraged us not to be troubled but assured us that these things must come to pass before His return.  He then spoke of nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences and earthquakes, all of which He described as the beginning of sorrows.

His conversation then turned to the personal lives of believers when He described how we would be delivered up to be afflicted, killed and hated by all nations because of Him.  Thankfully, we’ve not seen widespread martyrdom here in America.  But around the world countless lives have been lost all because of their allegiance to Christ.  In my opinion, most would agree that Christians are hated in most secular circles and considered to be hypocritical, better-than-thou types who seek to judge the sins and failures of the evil world in which we live.  While that may be true for some, the true Church is comprised of people who understand that our mission includes seeking out those who need to be saved and experience the love of Christ.

Verse 10 begins with a sign of the times that most people forget.  Jesus said, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”  Having served in full-time ministry since 1998, I’ve come to understand that the primary problem in the local church is the fact that a great portion of believers fail to handle conflict like the Word of God instructs us to.  Instead of talking through issues with our Pastors, Student Pastors, brothers and sisters, we gather our spiritual posse and create a firestorm of criticism and hatred.  When this happens, the mission of the church is strangled out and the enemy prevails as the community is never reached with the Gospel.  Now is the time for true believers to stand up as men and women of God, rise above our emotions and embrace the proper way to handle conflict when it arises.  The “New Pastor – New Church” mentality doesn’t solve our problems.  Immature Christians who can’t seem to work through problems with their church family, only prove to create similar difficulties after a Pastoral change or they select a new congregation to join.

Jesus continued to speak of the false prophets that would rise and deceive many, the iniquity that would abound and how the love of many would wax cold.  But, in verse 13, He gives a promise that has been held close to the heart of every believer since they rolled off the lips of the world’s Savior.  He simply said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

One of the reasons I feel a strong compelling in my heart to preach about the soon rapture of the Church is because the events of our world scream that Christ is preparing now to take His Bride.  We must not ignore the warning signs.  It’s time to turn our hearts back to God, embrace the truth of His Word, learn to love our leadership and our brothers and sisters and allow the blood of Christ to cleanse our garments so that we will be counted worthy when He comes.

At this point, I would fail to cast the entire burden of my heart if I did not acknowledge the fact that I have many loved ones who have gone home to be with the Lord.  I have grandparents, great-grandparents, an aunt and an uncle that are at home with the Father waiting on the day when we can all be together again.  To this day, the most difficult experience of my life was coming to grips with the fact that my mom had passed from this world into eternity.  Not one day goes by that I don’t long to speak with her one more time.  But I’m thankful that, because of conversations we had and prayers I know that she prayed, she is with Jesus and I will see her again.  With every passing day, I rejoice that our reunion is one day closer.

I believe that Jesus is alive.  I believe that He’s returning soon.  And I believe it is every Christian’s responsibility to share that news with everyone we encounter.  Today is the day of salvation!

I believe that people are looking forward to a time when the life we live will improve.  People all around the world are searching for better opportunities and better lifestyles.  The good news is that a better life is waiting, but only for those who make their preparations now.  What a day that will be when we’re taken by the BrideGroom to enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb!  How wonderful it will be when Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth!

The next time Cayden and Conner bombard us with questions about some future event that has filled them with excitement, I believe I’ll try to be a bit more patient.  After all, I know exactly how they feel.

Pastor Jeremy

Wedding Day

Lately I’ve been thinking as I look all around me
I see by the signs that we’re soon gonna be leaving
The Bride-Groom is coming to take us all away
May be tomorrow but I pray that it’s today

And we will fly away in the twinkling of an eye
Leaving all our heartaches and telling them all goodbye
And we will fly away when He hears His Father say
Jesus, go and get Your Bride, today’s Your wedding day

Now, when we see the Bride-Groom on the clouds in the sky
Will He be telling you hello or telling you goodbye?
Oh, be sure and be ready to meet Him face to face
We’ve got to fight the good fight, we’ve got to keep our faith

And we will fly away in the twinkling of an eye
Leaving all our heartaches and telling them all goodbye
And we will fly away when He hears His Father say
Jesus go and get your Bride, today’s Your wedding day