Yesterday, we talked about the Rapture—the “snatching up” by God to Heaven of all true followers of Jesus Christ who are authentic members of Christ’s Church. Today’s Scripture confirms this climactic event. Be careful to note, however, that this will not include all church members—only those who have confessed their sinfulness to God and received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and by so doing have their names written in God’s book of life.

What then will happen immediately following the Rapture? First, no doubt, as the hymn writer expressed it: “When we all get to heaven, What a time of rejoicing that will be, When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory.”² Best of all we will see Jesus—face to face—the one who died in our place to pay the penalty for all our sins and who granted us forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. In addition we will be reunited with loved ones and friends who had already passed away. And how exciting that will be, knowing that we will be united together forever in a place where there will be no more sickness, sadness, suffering or sorrow. God himself will wipe away every tear, and forever we will be surrounded by love.

Then in Heaven will be what the Bible calls the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” The Lamb refers to Jesus Christ—the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”³ And the Bride of Christ⁴ is his Church comprised of the true followers of Jesus Christ. Thus the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be the great celebration of the Church being united with Jesus Christ for all eternity.

Following this celebration will be what is called the “judgment seat of Christ.” Those in Heaven will not be judged for their sins because Christ took that judgment upon himself when he died on the cross in our place. It will be a time of rewards given to all who served God faithfully with pure motives while here on earth. As God’s word says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”⁵ And again, “Look, I [Jesus] am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”⁶

While those at the judgment seat of Christ will never lose their salvation, how sorrowful it will be if we have done little here on earth to serve God faithfully and help expand his kingdom and, as a result, have nothing to offer God that will be deserving a reward other than (as God’s word put it), “wood, hay or straw.”⁷

During this exciting time in Heaven there will be a time of great tribulation here on earth where there will be a one-world government, a one-world economy, and a one-world religion headed by the person whom the Bible calls the Antichrist. For more information regarding the rule of the Antichrist read the article, “The Antichrist Is Coming” at: http://tinyurl.com/the-coming-antichrist.

During the rule of the Antichrist all hell will break loose on earth when God pours out his judgments on earth during the Great Tribulation period.⁸ What will end the Great Tribulation will be the battle of Armageddon.⁹ This will be when the nations of the world unite to come against Israel in an attempt to “wipe her off the map.” At this time Jesus Christ will return to earth via the Mount of Olives¹⁰ with his true followers to step onto the stage of mankind’s history and will totally destroy the Antichrist, his armies, and his followers and all who seek to destroy Israel and Jerusalem. This will be centered at the Battle of Armageddon in the Valley of Megiddo in Israel. It will be the war to end all wars.

At the end of Christ’s millennial rule on earth will be the Great White Judgment Throne of God where Satan and his horde of evil demons will be cast into Hell forever. Tragically, this will also be the time of judgment where all—both great and small—who refused or failed to accept Jesus as their Savior and God’s forgiveness will be judged for their sins, and have to pay the just penalty for themselves. They, too, will be cast into Hell—wherever and whatever that my happen to be. Of one thing we can be certain, Hell will be eternal separation from God, the author of all love and life, for all eternity.

As the Bible says about this final judgment: “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”¹¹

The reality is that absolutely nobody escapes God’s judgment. His Word says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”¹² Either we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be rewarded for service to him here on earth, or it will be before God at the Great White Judgment throne and there receive the just punishment for all of our sins. There could be no more terrifying happening in the entire world.

Whatever you do, be absolutely certain that you have received God’s forgiveness by accepting Jesus as your Savior and thereby have your name written in God’s book of life. This is so that you will NOT have to appear before the Great White Judgment Throne of God and have to pay the penalty yourself for your sins—remembering that “the wages [penalty] of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”¹³ Remember, too, that death here is not referring to physical death, nor the cessation of life, but a “living eternal death” which is eternal separation from God in the place the Bible calls Hell.

To see how to receive God’s forgiveness and ensure that your name is written in God’s book of life, be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian. Be sure to do this today because we never know how soon it will be too late.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for giving your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place to save me from the penalty of my sins and to offer me forgiveness and a free pardon. Please help me to know that I know that I have been forgiven of all my sins, and that my name is written your Book of Life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NLT).

2. Eliza E. Hewitt.

3. John 1:29 (NIV).

4. See Revelation 21:9 (NLT).

5. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV).

6. Revelation 22:12 (NLT)

7. 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NIV).

8. See Revelations chapters 8 and 9.

9. See Revelation 16:16.

10. Zechariah 14:4 (NIV).

11. Revelation 20:10-16(NLT)

12. Hebrews 9:27 (NASB).
13. Romans 6:23 (KJV).

This event that Jesus is referring to is identified as the Rapture of the Church which, according to many Bible scholars, is at the beginning of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In spite of being one of the most climactic events in world history, the word “Rapture” isn’t in the Bible, but the concept is. The word comes from a Greek word that literally means “to snatch out” or to “seize.” However, the English word “rapture” is derived from the Latin verb, rapturo, which also means to be “snatched” or “caught up.” It refers to the day that Jesus was talking about in today’s Bible verse; that is, when he returns to take all his true followers to be with him in Heaven, and together be with him forever.

Jesus made this promise to his disciples and followers prior to his crucifixion and resurrection. At the Rapture Jesus doesn’t actually plant his feet on earth at this point of time, but comes in the clouds to call or “snatch” up his people to meet him in the air. Also, according to many Bible scholars, approximately seven years after the Rapture, Jesus will come back to earth via the Mount of Olives in Israel to put down all evil forever.

As the Bible further explains, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we [Christians] who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”²

The Apostle Paul also wrote in the Bible, “What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’”³

As mentioned earlier, this will be one of the most climactic events the world has ever experienced. Can you even begin to imagine what it will be like when millions of graves will be opened, the bodies of dead Christians will arise, be immediately changed, and together with them all the millions of living Christians will be snatched up from the earth to meet the Lord in the air and transported to Heaven. Thousands of cars will be left on highways driverless. Pilots will be snatched from airplanes. Doctors and nurses will be caught up out of hospitals. School teachers will vanish—as will many students. This chaos will happen worldwide.

Jesus also said about the Rapture, “I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”⁴ This indicates that this event will happen worldwide simultaneously as in some parts of the world it will be daytime and other parts nighttime.

Furthermore the Bible predicted 2,000 years ago that every eye would see Christ’s return. In the last book of the Bible Jesus’ disciple, John, prophesied: “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”⁵ “Every eye” seeing him will be made possible worldwide in today’s world via satellite, television, and the revolutionary electronic media.

I wonder how those in the news media who are left behind will rationalize the millions of people missing. I’d love to know what they will come up with but don’t plan to be around to find out.

For today, I urge you to make sure that you are ready for this dramatic and climactic event. Of one thing we can be absolutely certain and that is this: just as Christ’s first coming, predicted in the Bible hundreds of years prior to his birth in Bethlehem, is a fact of history, so also will be his return. And as Jesus said, he will come when people least expect it.⁶

Note, too, that when the trumpet of God sounds, Christ’s return—the Rapture—will be as sudden as a flash of lightning. As Jesus described it, “For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.⁷ It will be too late then to make preparations for Christ’s return.

If the Rapture should happen today, would you be ready to meet the Lord in the air? To make absolute certain that you are ready, be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: www.actsweb.org/christian. Don’t delay. Be sure to do this today.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for your promise that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth to take all his true followers to be with him in Heaven forever. Please help me to be absolutely certain that I am ready for his coming. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: In our next Daily Encounter, “After the Rapture, What?” we will answer the question: “What happens after the Rapture both in Heaven and back here on earth?” Click HERE for this article.

1. John 14:1-3 (NKJV).

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NLT).

3. 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 (NLT).

4. Luke 17:34-35 (NIV).

5. Revelation 1:7 (NIV).

6. Matthew 24:44.

7. Matthew 24: 27 (NLT).

Note: While Bible scholars differ regarding the actual timing of end time events, the important issue is that we are ready for Christ’s return for he is coming on a day when he is least expected. See Matthew 24:44 (NIV).

I have borrowed today’s title from Michael Josephson of Character Counts. In considering the shameful business leaders who have “cooked the books” in their accounting practices to make their company look far better than it was, and as a result hurt thousands of people, Michael wrote, “Consider the enormous shame that caused … [the] former vice chairman of Enron to commit suicide and write this note to his wife: ‘I am so sorry for this. I feel I just can’t go on. I have always tried to do the right thing but where there was once great pride now it’s gone. I love you and the children so much. I just can’t be any good to you or myself. The pain is overwhelming. Please try to forgive me.’”

While most of us would never have the opportunity to do what these business leaders have done, we do however need to be careful about our actions. For every action there is a consequence. If I sow deeds of kindness I will reap rewards of kindness. If I sow seeds of love, I will reap rewards of love. Or if I sow seeds of hate, I will receive hatred in return. And if I sow seeds of evil, I will in due course reap rewards of evil. Whatever we sow we reap.

So let’s all think carefully about what we do. Our legacy depends on it. What do we want our loved ones to think about us when we’re gone? And most important of all, when we get to the end of life’s journey what do we want God to “think” and say to us? Will it be, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord?” Or will it be, “Depart from me for I never knew you?”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to live with eternal values in mind realizing that what I sow in this life, I will not only reap the rewards/results of it here and now, but also in the life to come. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV).

I think it was Dwight L. Moody who, when seeing a drunk in the gutter, said, “But for the grace of God there go I.” Many a time I have wondered where I would be if it weren’t for the grace and mercy of God? The probabilities are unthinkable. Spiritually speaking, for certain I would have been lost at sea and, quite possibly, would have made shipwreck of my life.

Ronnie Hinson has written the words and music of a gospel song that is very meaningful to me. It’s entitled “The Lighthouse” and says it well:

“There’s a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s sea. When I’m tossed it sends out a light that I might see. And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home, If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

“And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin, He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see. If it wasn’t for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?”²

Dear reader, have you come to Jesus, the Lighthouse, and found the light—the light of life and the assurance of everlasting life with God? If not, I encourage you to do that today by praying the following:

Suggested prayer: “Dear Jesus God, I confess that I am a lost sinner and come to you believing that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sin so I could be freely forgiven and receive your gift of eternal life. I ask you, Jesus, to forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and life as my personal Savior, and thereby grant me your gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Note: If you genuinely prayed this prayer, please let us know by going to www.actsweb.org/decision.php and we will be happy to send you the web address—without charge—of additional articles to help and encourage you in your Christian life.

1. John 8:12 (NIV).

2. “The Lighthouse,” Words and Music by Robbie Hinson. © 1971.

On Friday, June 11, 2004 as we all know, the 40th President of the United States, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, was laid to rest. In the nation’s capital it was an overcast drizzly day that seemed as if Heaven was shedding tears with the nation whose outpouring of love for former President Reagan was an extremely moving experience. Following the state Memorial Service in the Washington National Cathedral, which was filled with dignitaries from many countries, four living ex-presidents, and friends, the former President, Mrs. Reagan, and family, flew back to California to thousands of mourners lining the streets wanting to catch one last glimpse of a leader they greatly admired and a man they deeply loved. Above was a cloudless sky and a smiling sun in the Golden State that Ronald Reagan loved dearly and called his home.

At the grave-side service at the Reagan Memorial Library set on a hill overlooking some of the majestic California mountains, the Air Force Band and the Army Choir were playing and singing, I presume, some of the former President’s favorite songs, not only “Hail to the Chief,” and “America the Beautiful” but old-time hymns that were of great significance such as “Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” And “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me … Calling, O sinner, come home.”

These grand hymns of the Christian faith, with the testimony of son Michael Reagan regarding his father’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ, was a bright, shining light shattering for at least a brief moment of time the ever-increasing and lengthening shadow of an insidious spiritual darkness that is currently reaching across the American nation. President Reagan talked of the evil of Communism and helped end its tyranny and the cold war. But that was an enemy without—and as another said—an enemy that wore a uniform and could be recognized.

The evil enemy today, however, dwells among us and wears no uniform. It is seen, not only in the evil of fanatical religiously motivated terrorism, but in an ever-increasing force that rears its ugly head and is heard in the voice of radical left-wing judges who defy the vote of Congress, the vote of the Senate, and the will of the President. It is seen in the demands of vocal minorities who are seeking to destroy marriage and the family as God designed it; in the vote of politicians who allow innocent babies to be murdered; in the continual flow of words published by certain media, and in the attitude of all who join them in their determination to get rid of every vestige of Christianity, Christian prayer, God’s Word, and God’s name from every area of the public arena. One wonders what their home-going will be like. What a contrast to those who have faithfully trusted and served God, whose names are written in God’s Book of Life.

For example, if you listen with your heart you can hear the Lord’s welcome home to Ronald Wilson Reagan with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”

And you can imagine hearing the angelic choir singing, not only for Ronald, but also for you and me. Let’s join with them in our prayer for today: “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me. O for the wonderful love he has promised, Promised for you and for me; Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me … Come home, come home, Ye who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home!”²

NOTE: If you have never “come home” to Jesus and accepted God’s gift of forgiveness and his promise of eternal life to be with him in heaven forever, why not do that today. To help you do this click on the link to God’s Invitation at: https://learning.actsweb.org/invitation.php.

1. Psalm 23:4, 6 (NIV).

2. Will L. Thompson (1847-1909).

Many definitions have been given to describe friendship. Some time ago an English publication offered a prize for the best one, and, “A friend is one who understands our silence” was one of the thousands of entries. But the one that took first prize was this: “A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

To me, a true friend is one who knows all about you and loves you still, who gives you his or her presence, who listens with his or her heart and actually hears what you are saying—who accepts you for who you are and not for what you have or haven’t done. A good friend is one who doesn’t judge you, try to fix you, or tell you what you should do. He or she will appreciate your friendship and tell you so, will rejoice with you in your successes and weep with you in your sorrows. And, at times, a good friend will confront you and graciously point out a fault, but no matter what, he or she will stand by you. These friends are rare and precious.

But the greatest friend of all is the One who stepped out of the ivory palaces of heaven and came to earth as a man—clothed in a garment of human flesh—to identify with us, and who died on the cross to save us from our sins, to give us a free pardon and the gift of eternal life. He is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” and will “never, not ever, no never leave us or forsake us.”² His love is absolutely total, unconditional, and eternal. His name is Jesus.

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank you that you are a friend of sinners and, as such, you have accepted me as a friend of yours. Help me to show my appreciation for your dying on the cross in my place by my living for you in every way possible. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 18:24 (NLT).

2. See Hebrews 13:5

If you know Bible history, you will recall how the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for some 430 years and God was calling Moses to return to Egypt to confront Pharaoh to let God’s people go. This was to deliver them from slavery and lead them to the Promised Land—the land that God had promised them many years before through Abraham, the father of the Israeli nation.

Because he wasn’t good at speaking, Moses didn’t feel that he would be able to take on this seemingly impossible task. So God challenged Moses by saying, “What is that in your hand?” and then performed an unusual miracle with Moses’ stick. This was to ensure Moses that God would be with him to convince the Israelites that God had called him, and to assure Moses that God would perform any miracles needed to convince Pharaoh to ultimately let God’s people go.

As an aside, last year Joy and I were in Egypt and when visiting the great pyramids, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Israeli slaves were used to build or help build these massive structures. I asked our tour guide if this were possible and she didn’t know.

Fast forward to today’s world in which God has a work for you and me to do in each of the worlds in which we live. Unfortunately, many of us don’t feel capable of doing anything significant for God and consequently sit back and virtually waste our lives by not fulfilling God’s purpose for it. So God’s question to each of us today is: “What is that in your hand?” Or to put it in local talk, “What is your schtick (or ‘staff’)?”

In other words, what God-given gifts do you have? What do you enjoy doing and do reasonably well? What would you like to be doing if you had the opportunity? These activities usually indicate what your stick is; that is, what gift or gifts that are in your hand. Whatever these are, be sure to put these abilities to good use in serving God, remembering that we serve God by serving people.

If you are a gifted teacher, then perhaps you could teach a Sunday school or Bible class. If you are a gifted speaker or writer, then look for ways to use these gifts to help spread the gospel and message of Jesus Christ. If you are good at encouraging people, then use this gift generously. You can serve through your local church, through local community services, by helping local or overseas missions, by helping with and supporting para-church organizations, by reaching out to a neighbor in need, by being a volunteer with a local service group—or in any of a hundred other productive ways.

Remember, too, that when you stand before Jesus and give an account of your life, be sure that you won’t just stand there holding your schtick that appears as if it were just taken out of the gift box. With God’s help, I hope that when this time comes for me, my schtick will appear to be almost completely worn out from having put it to productive use.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for the schtick (gift/s) you have placed in my hand. Help me to get the best training possible so I can make the best use of my stick for effective service, and to find ways to use my stick to serve and bring honor to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Exodus 4:1-4 (NIV).

The sun set last night and rose again this morning as it has for thousands or millions of years. While some things never change, we can’t say that about life in the last few decades—not to mention what lies ahead in the coming years!

I read that if we were to put the entire world’s knowledge from the beginning of time until 1845 on a graph it would measure only one inch tall. From 1845 to 1945—just 100 years—the graph would measure three inches tall. But from 1945 until today the graph would be as tall as [or much taller than] the Washington monument in Washington, DC.

Change today is the order of the day. It has been said that today’s average worker will need to be retrained at least three times during his working career to keep up with all the changes. Changes in technology, lifestyle, philosophy, morals, etc., are happening so fast it is difficult to keep up with them all.

Furthermore, the security that so many of us knew in earlier times has pretty much vanished. With escalating terrorism worldwide, unless we have an anchor for the soul, we can be left drifting on a restless changing sea of uncertainty. But for those who have faith in God, of this one thing we can be absolutely sure: He never changes! His love is from everlasting to everlasting and he is still in control of the world and universe no matter what. As the Bible says, “I the Lord do not change.”²

Americans have engraved on their coins, “In God we trust.” But until that commitment is engraved on people’s hearts and we genuinely trust in the God who changes not, we will have no lasting security.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help us as a nation to come to the realization that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and that without our trust in you, there is no security. And please start your work in my heart. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Malachi 3:6-7 (NIV).

2. See Psalm 15:4 (NKJV).

Sometimes the seemingly simple things in life can teach us some of the most important lessons. Take ants, for example. Even though their “brain” (central ganglion or nerve) is less than one-tenth the size of a pinhead, ants live in highly organized social colonies. Some collect food, others build the nest and keep it clean, and some look after the queen ants. Nurse ants clean and feed the larvae. Soldier ants guard and protect the food-collecting ants. No wonder the Bible says, “Go to the ant … consider her ways and be wise.”²

Among other lessons, the ants “who store up their food in the summer” teach us the importance of being prepared ahead of time for whatever might come our way. The Chinese proverb, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty” makes the same point. Children need to be prepared for life, teenagers and young adults need to be prepared for entering the work force, and for taking care of themselves. Those who are planning to be married need to prepare in advance for it; unfortunately, too many don’t. And all adults need to prepare ahead for retirement and old age.

Most important of all, we need to prepare for life after life when we will meet our Maker face to face. As God’s Word says, “Prepare to meet your God,”³ and as Jesus taught about his return to earth, “Be ready; for when you least expect it, I will come.”⁴ How tragic beyond all measure for those who aren’t prepared for life after death or that day when Jesus returns for all his true followers.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to trust in you and, in so doing, always be prepared for whatever lies ahead—especially for life after death and for the day of your return. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: To make sure you are prepared for life after death and/or for the day of Christ’s return, read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. Proverbs 30:25 (NIV).

2. Proverbs 6:6

3. See Amos 4:12

4. See Matthew 24:44