Rapture and End Times

The bucket list can also be called “things to do before you die” and is derived from the English idiom – ‘to kick the bucket.’

When thinking about your bucket list, you might consider going on a cruise, or traveling to some exotic location, like the Pyramids of Giza.

You might want to experience a unique outdoor activity like skydiving or scuba diving, or learn how to play a musical instrument.

But, these are mostly frivolous activities, things that will give you short-term pleasure. You want to do them “someday” but they pale in comparison to doing something worthwhile. The bucket list has a basic problem in that it is completely self-centered. The  bucket list attempts to answer the question, “What do I want to do with my life before I die?”

The world system tells us that this life is all there is, and that we must therefore fill our shrinking allotment of time with activities and experiences guaranteed to make us “happy.” What did Jesus say about that?

Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

“Friend,” He said to him, “who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’

“That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21)

A bucket list for a Christian is often radically different from that of the world. We value a relationship with Jesus Christ as of supreme importance, over doing things we’ve never done before. For us, like Paul: …I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Our time of Rapture can literally happen at any moment. It probably will not be when you expect, like your favorite Jewish Holiday: You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)

On February 6, 1999 I was sitting on my bed praying and the Lord spoke to me in a loud voice. He said, “Tell them that I love them. Tell them that I care. Tell them that I am coming for them. Prepare, like a man who has been told he has just a short time to live. Heal, forgive, and perform those acts of charity that you have been putting off. Tell everyone that I am coming soon for My bride.”

In this message, the Lord gave us clues for our bucket list:

Prepare, like a man who has been told he has just a short time to live

“Lord, reveal to me the end of my life
and the number of my days.
Let me know how short-lived I am.
You, indeed, have made my days short in length,
and my life span as nothing in Your sight.
Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor. (Psalm 39:4-5)

My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21)

Be ready for service and have your lamps lit. You must be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. (Luke 12:35-36)

Heal, forgive, and perform those acts of charity that you have been putting off

The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. (James 5:15-16)

For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. (Matthew 6:15)

…if you offer yourself to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted one,
then your light will shine in the darkness,
and your night will be like noonday.
The Lord will always lead you,
satisfy you in a parched land,
and strengthen your bones.
You will be like a watered garden
and like a spring whose waters never run dry. (Isaiah 58:10-11)

When praying for the sick, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. The words we use, the commands we give, and the authoritarian actions we take are infused with much greater power if the Holy Spirit directs them. Seek specific insight from the Holy Spirit on what and how to pray. Perhaps there are ‘hidden’ causes to the person’s condition, and without the Holy Spirit’s insight, those ‘hidden’ causes may never be addressed. If the sick person is an unbeliever, healing can provide you with an evangelistic entry point into their lives.

Forgiveness is not a mystical, unattainable thing. If you are holding a grudge against anyone for anything, then admit that you are hurt or angry. Take your decision to forgive to God, and through the Holy Spirit, let go of the offense. When past offenses come to your mind, say, “No, in the name of Jesus, I forgive that person.” All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Practical acts of charity can include holding open a door for someone, offering assistance, and helping someone trying to get a stroller down the steps. Every small interaction with another is an opportunity to have a positive impact on both of your lives. When you look, you’ll find opportunities to perform random acts of kindness:

• Donating to your favorite charity
• Letting someone else go first in a line
• Giving someone a compliment, and spread encouragement online
• Lending a hand to a neighbor or coworker
• Volunteering at a local charity or church
• Paying for the person behind you
• Giving a big tip to someone who served you

One of the most important and fulfilling parts of being a follower of Christ is leading someone to receive salvation and start a relationship with the Lord. Leading a non-believer towards Christ is an extremely rewarding experience. As you operate in a selfless mode, the ways to help others is endless!

1 Corinthians 13:4 — Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant … 

1 Corinthians 13:6 — Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.

Galatians 5:22 ­— But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness …

2 Timothy 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 

1 Corinthians 13:8 — Love never fails…

1 Corinthians 13:13 — And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Psalm 91:14 — “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”

John 15:13 — Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

We must heed the warning that James, the brother of Jesus, gave to us:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?

If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.

Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)

If the Rapture happened next week, what could you do now that would bring true happiness?

If you are not a Christian, your first priority in life, no matter what your age or circumstances, should be to get to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and start living faithfully for Him.

How to you do that? It’s the simplest thing ever: repent of your sins and invite Christ to come in and take over. You can accept Christ into your life right now.

The Bible says:
“For all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

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1.SIN is the inheritance of mankind due to the sin of Adam & Eve.
Romans 5:12-17
Just as through one man’s sin (the first Adam) entered the world and death through sin and thus spread to all men, because all sinned—v17. …much more those who receive abundance of grace and of righteousness will reign in the life through the Jesus Christ.

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2) there is none righteous, no, not one
Romans 3:10

 

 

 

 

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3) …if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

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4) …our sin makes us enemies of God. (Not good). Romans 8:7,8

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5) man can not save himself. Romans 7:19-24
For the good that I will to do, I do not do…who will deliver me from this body of death?

 

 

 

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THE ANSWER!!!
I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:25

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Jesus gave Himself freely for all our sins from the past, present and future. He became sin and the Father could not even look upon His Son because He took our sin upon Himself. He suffered greatly on the cross, shedding all His Precious Blood which was poured out for you and me, He was buried and rose again after 3 days, He redeemed the keys of hell and death to give us life! He is our Savior!!!

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No other One has ever done such a thing for mankind. There is no other God but the One True God, Father, Son Jesus and Holy Spirit sent to live in us. No longer do we need to do blood sacrifice, no longer do we need a temple to worship in because we are the temple He lives in when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior!!! Do it today and discover FREEDOM, PEACE, JOY UNSPEAKABLE AS HE REIGNS ON THE THRONE OF YOUR HEART!!!

Just ask Jesus to forgive your sin, believe He is the risen Son of God, and ask Him to live in you. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength to sin no more and teach you the character and ways of God. You will never ever regret your decision….ever!

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