JESUS SPEAKING
“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man (Jesus Christ): For they ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all […] even so will it be in the day that the Son of man (Jesus Christ) is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you in that night there will be two men in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together; the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17: 26 – 27, 30 – 36.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
‘The Rapture,’ is another name for the unique event being described in this scripture. In the blink of an eye, God will gather up the faithful from among the nations; prior to pouring out His wrath upon the earth. Relatives, friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers will vanish in an instant. Those who are left behind will endure God’s judgments. How can we be prepared for the rapture? Simply put; by valuing eternal rewards more than earthly possessions. Jesus implores us to consider Lot’s wife; a woman who was ill-equipped for the Lord’s deliverance. In ancient times, she and her family were lead out of the wicked city of Sodom before its destruction. She disobeyed God by turning back and affectionately gazing upon the city. In turn, she was transformed in to a pillar of salt.
Like Lot’s wife, many throughout history have cherished worldly possessions more than their own lives. One day my dad and I were driving through the town where I grew up. As we passed a certain building, he informed me that the structure had burned years earlier. The owner had foolishly rushed in to the basement to collect some of his valuables; becoming trapped in the process. In desperation, he attempted to crawl through a basement window; but the opening was too small. Firefighters and onlookers could only watch in horror as the man perished in flames. Valuing his possessions more than his own life lead to his untimely demise.
Today, many value their possessions more than their eternal lives. Taking great comfort in worldly belongings has rendered them ill-prepared for the coming Kingdom. Every believer must be ready for ‘the rapture;’ an event that could occur at any moment. Complete preparation entails loving God more than anything else. Human beings must be more prized than possessions, and truth more treasurable than trust funds. As our values are transformed, we will look forward to the rapture with greater joy and anticipation.
“Lord Heavenly Father, help us to value our heavenly lives more than our earthly possessions. Prepare our hearts and minds for the rapture. May we remain focused on Your coming kingdom. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, strengthen us; that we might accomplish Your will in this place. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 