Thursday, 13 August 2015

The Last Days

Foundations for Living
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  • Introduction

    It seems as if the world is getting more and more troubled. There are wars, famines, earthquakes, new diseases; there are increases in corruption, immorality, and violent crime all over the world. It is no wonder that many ask if we are living in the Last Days, if the end of the world is near.
    • What is the world coming to?
    • What is the rapture?
    • Is Armageddon around the corner?
    • Is the return of Christ at the door?
    • Can we know the future?
    These are just some of the questions people are asking. There is great uncertainty in the air. In spite of breathtaking advances in science and technology, we have seen the condition of humanity only get worse and worse.
    In these anxious and critical days, some look to politicians and world leaders for direction, hoping that they will lead to peace. Others turn to psychics, fortune tellers, or the latest prediction of the supermarket tabloid prophets. Yet, all the while there has been someone who knows exactly what the future holds, and He tells about it in His book—the Bible.
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  • The Prophetic Standard

    The Bible is the only book that accurately predicts the future. It is worth noting that two-thirds of the Bible is prophecy. One-half of these prophecies have already come to pass. No other world religion has a book that does this.
    The basic test of the true God, the true faith, the true prophet and the true belief is this: can they predict the future?
    If one-half of all Bible prophecies have happened just as God said, should I have any reason to doubt that the remaining ones will happen exactly as He said? God can speak of the future with absolute certainty because He knows exactly what will happen. In other words, we can count on His Word to be true and accurate.
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  • Signs of the Times

    We are living at a time when Bible prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes. We watched the dramatic changes that have taken place in Eastern Europe with the collapse of communism. We have seen the emergence of the European Community as a major economic power, while the United States has faded in its prominence. We see the increasing isolation of the nation of Israel and the rising hostility of the nations around her. There have been wars in the Middle East and popular uprisings in many countries. All of these are signs that Jesus said would tell us that His coming is near:
    "When you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!" (Mark 13:29).
    The Bible also predicts the behavior and mood of the people just prior to His return. Jesus told us that the days preceding His return would be like the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26–29). What are some of those signs?M
    • Sexual promiscuity and perversion
      Nowhere is this better seen than in the two angelic visitors to Lot in the city of Sodom (see Genesis 19:1–17). There the visitors found all manner of sexual perversion, with the homosexual activists of the day coming to Lot's door. Likewise, today's popular culture celebrates promiscuity and perversion while it mocks the God-given principles of purity and marriage.
    • Increased violence and crime
      Noah's time was characterized by exceedingly wicked violence and crime:
      "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. . .So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth" (Genesis 6:5–6, 12).
    Does this not sound like a description of our very time?
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  • What is the Rapture?

    According to the Bible, there is a generation that will not see death (Mark 13:30). Instead, they will be removed from the face of the earth in what is known as the rapture of the church.
    "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).
    • We will be "caught up."
      The passage 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 full of wonderful hope and promise: "Then we who are alive and who remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).M
      "Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:40–42).
    • We will "meet the Lord."
      The Greek word for "meet" carries the idea of meeting a royal person, or a person of great importance. That is because when the Lord calls us to Himself, we will meet the King of kings.
      "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also" (John 14:2–4).
      "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:2–3).
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  • What Does the Rapture Mean for Us?

    Let's consider some of the effects of the rapture on each of us:
    • The rapture means no death.
      As I said earlier, there is a generation that will not see death. Are we that generation? I cannot say with certainty that we are, but if we are not, I believe that we are very close to His return. However, He warned us not to try to set dates for His return (Matthew 24:42).
    • The rapture is a transformation.
      As 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 says, "We shall all be changed in a moment." The word for changed in the Greek is "transformed." God will give us a brand new body:
      "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same mighty power that He will use to conquer everything, everywhere" (Philippians 3:20–21 NLT).
    • The rapture is instantaneous.
      It happens in a moment—in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). It has been said that the "twinkling of an eye" is about one-thousandth of a second. The Greek word for it is atomos, from which we get the word "atom." It means something that cannot be divided.
      In other words, the rapture will occur so quickly and suddenly, the time frame in which it appears cannot be humanly divided.
      Think of it! In the flash of a second, every living believer on earth will suddenly, instantaneously be gone.
    • The rapture is a reunion.
      The question is often asked, "Will we see our loved ones again?" The apostle Paul wrote these words to reassure the Thessalonians who had believing loved ones who had already died. They were afraid that their departed loved ones would be in some other part of God's plan. They were afraid that they would never see them again. Paul's words were very comforting. He says that the dead in Christ will rise first, "then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them" (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
      We will be reunited with our departed believing friends and family.
      We will not only meet the Lord in the rapture, but we will also be reunited with our friends and loved ones who have gone on to already meet the Lord.
      One moment we will be going about our life here on earth—and the next moment we will be hurtled into the presence of departed loved ones. Above all, we will have a face-to-face meeting with Him whose death in our place made it all happen. Death is the great separator, but Jesus Christ is the great reconciler.
    • We will be reunited with those we have led to Christ.
      "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
      Paul said that his spiritual children in Thessalonica will be His crown of rejoicing in the Lord's presence when He comes. From this it appears that each of us will have grouped around those we have helped to believe in Jesus.
      This should make us want to redouble our efforts to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. To see one person standing there before our Savior in a glorified body because we were faithful to preach the gospel to him or her would be worth it all!
    • We will recognize our loved ones in heaven.
      While the Bible does not reveal all the details of this reunion, we do read that on the Mount of Transfiguration, the three disciples knew and recognized both Moses and Elijah (see Mark 9:1–8). It would seem that in heaven we will be able to do the same. Speaking of the knowledge we will have in the Lord's presence, Paul writes, "Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
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  • Our Spiritual Wake-up Call

    Paul wrote practical words on how the truth of the rapture should affect our lives in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–9.
    • "Peace and safety"
      Today this is the great cry of humanity. We hear so much about a global family, and the only thing that is really lacking is a leader. The world is ripe for such a one that the Bible has much to say about: the Antichrist.
      But while the world is saying "peace and safety" (1 Thessalonians 5:3), we as believers have an unpopular message: "Judgment is coming!" How then should we, as believers, live?
    • "Be sober"
      Some people say that Christians live with their heads in the clouds, that we are not realists. In fact, the opposite is true. The person who believes that we as one global family can live together in peace, and that humanity is basically good is not dealing with reality. Christianity is realistic about the problems and the solution.
    • "Let Us Not Sleep"
      We must not be sleeping as so many are (1 Thessalonians 5:6–7), but we must be alert and ready.
      "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
      "The night is nearly over, the day has almost dawned. Let us therefore fling away the things that men do in the dark! Let us arm ourselves for the fight of the day! Let us live cleanly, as in the daylight, not in the 'delights' of getting drunk or playing with sex, nor in quarreling or jealousy. Let us be Christ's men from head to foot and give not chances to the flesh to have its fling!" (Romans 13:12–14 Phillips).
      A spiritual alarm has sounded. In a sense, this is God's wake-up call for the church. Keep in mind that these words are addressed to believers. We need to wake up from our spiritual lethargy, laziness, and apathy to meet the urgency of the hour. The time is late, and we must prepare for the soon coming of the Lord!
    • "We who are of the day"
      Jesus said, ""I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world'" (John 9:4–5).
      Our time is limited. We must do our work while we can. To the believers in the last days, Jesus said, "See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it" (Revelation 3:8).
      But there might be some dead weight that is slowing us down or dulling our desire to go through that door. We must persevere! (See Revelation 3:10.)
      It is time to prepare to meet your God. Are you ready? If not, make the necessary changes so that you can be counted among those who will love His appearing (see 2 Timothy 4:8).
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  • Next Stop: Heaven!

    Have you ever really been homesick?
    For those who come from wonderful homes, the old saying, "There is no place like home," rings true. On the other hand, those from miserable homes sometimes enjoy their time away. Regardless, there is one home waiting for us that we all should desperately miss—heaven!
    • Eternity in our hearts
      The Bible says, "He has put eternity in their hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). For this reason, we will never really be fully satisfied in this life. Nothing will ever quite measure up.
      We have all experienced those moments when everything seemed to be just perfect— that perfect sunset, that star-filled night, that special moment with someone you love. At those times you think you want it to be this way always. But it doesn't last. In a sense, you have had a glimpse of eternity—a taste of the bliss you will experience one day in glory.
      Some try to fill this homesickness for heaven by trying to have a perfect life. They don't feel that special feeling any more with their husband or wife, so they go looking for someone else. Their work is not as gratifying as it once was, so they pursue another career. Their home no longer satisfies them, so they buy one that is bigger and better. Yet, true fulfillment eludes them.
      We could look back on life and come to the same conclusion that Benjamin Disraeli, the former prime minister of England, came to. Reviewing his life, he said, "Youth is a mistake, manhood a struggle, old age a regret."
      Why is life itself often so dissatisfying? Because there is something in us which earth can never satisfy. It is a hunger for God. Unfortunately, Mr. Disraeli seemed to miss this point. God placed this built-in homing instinct for heaven in our hearts to draw us to Himself.
    • The reality of heaven
      While the Bible frequently talks about heaven, and we are given clear instructions as to what we must do to get there. Still, many do not take the existence of this eternal home seriously. Heaven is often dismissed as some foggy concept, not really understandable, and not really believable.
      Here are the biblical facts about heaven:
      • The existence of heaven is 100% real.
      • The existence of hell is 100% real.
      • We can be 100% sure of going to heaven when we have been born again by faith in Christ (not by the good things we do).
      Heaven is a place prepared for those who are prepared for it (John 14:2).
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  • What Happens After the Rapture?

    Two significant events will take place in heaven after the rapture of believers:
    • The Judgment Seat of Christ
    • The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
    These two events will precede our return to earth with the Lord in the Second Coming of Christ. If you are a believer, you will be present at both.
    After the Lord descends from heaven with a shout, and we are caught up to meet our departed, believing loved ones in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), what happens next?
    • We will receive a new, resurrection body.
      We will need new bodies for a new place: heaven. Our earthly bodies are suited for this earthly environment. Our resurrection bodies will be suited for the heavenly environment. Paul explained this unique transformation:
      "Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power" (1 Corinthians 15:42–43 NLT).
    • If we have been faithful, we will be rewarded.
      Many of us have acquired the great awards this world has to offer over the years—trophies, blue ribbons, plaques, etc. In heaven, however, people will be rewarded for their faithfulness to God over the years. Even the smallest and most insignificant action done on behalf of God's kingdom will not be overlooked by our Heavenly Father.
      Jesus promises, "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:4; see also Matthew 6:6, 18). This reward will be given to you as we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
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  • The Judgment Seat of Christ

    You might have thought that only nonbelievers would be judged. They will be, but that occurs at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20). That is the final judgment, and it takes place to show the nonbeliever why they are rejected from God's presence in heaven. (They rejected God's offer of forgiveness).
    Yet the Bible teaches there is a judgment for Christians as well (2 Corinthians 5:10). The Judgment Seat of Christ is different. It is not about whether or not you get to heaven. (You are already in heaven when it happens.) It is about the rewards you will receive.
    "Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you" (Luke 14:14 NLT, see also Revelation 22:12).
    • "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ"
      The word appear in 2 Corinthians 5:10 could be translated "to be made manifest." This suggests that the purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ is the public manifestation and demonstration of the essential character and motives of the individual. We will not be judged en masse but individually.
    • "That each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad"
      Exactly what will be judged is laid out in 2 Corinthians 5:10. The word used for bad in this text is not speaking of something that is ethically or morally evil. Instead, it means "evil of another kind," "good for nothingness" or "worthlessness." In other words, it means the wasting of one's time, energy, and life in general.
      At the Judgment Seat of Christ, each of us will have to give an account of what we did with the life, gifts and calling that God gave to us. Speaking again of the Judgment Seat for Christians, Paul wrote:
      "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" (1 Corinthians 3:11–15 NIV).
      This wood, hay, or straw Paul spoke of refers not so much to gross sin, but to placing greater importance on the passing things of this life rather than the things of God. You might be putting all of your energies into your career, a sport or hobby, or even watching TV—but all of these things will pass.
    • "If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward"
      That treasure we stored up in heaven (Matthew 6:20; see also Matthew 19:21) will bring us rewards (1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV). We would seem logical that the great men and women of faith will get all the awards. But we may be surprised by the award sweep of relatively unknown believers—those Christians who prayed behind the scenes, served others without expecting recognition, or anonymously gave of their resources, quietly doing what the Lord had called them to do.
      Don't worry about what God has called someone else to do. Concentrate on what He has called you to do. What may not seem very valuable or important now will be worth a lot more in heaven.
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  • What Rewards Will We Receive?

    The Bible describes many crowns we will receive at the judgment seat of Christ.
    • The crown of rejoicing (or a soul-winner's crown)
      "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19). To obtain this reward, you must seek to win others to Christ.
      The "crown of rejoicing" appears to be the ability to see all the people that you helped bring to the Lord. These people may actually be gathered around us. That thought could be very exciting or quite depressing—depending upon how faithful you as an individual are to fulfilling the Great Commission.
      We must remember that we ourselves have never converted anyone. That is what the Holy Spirit does (John 6:63). Yet, we can play a part in that process. In fact, we may not even be aware of all those we have influenced to come to Jesus.
      "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6; see also Daniel 12:3).
    • The crown of life
      To obtain this reward, you must love the Lord and persevere under trial.
      "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12 NIV).
      Perhaps you feel as though you have given up many things to follow Jesus Christ. You've resisted temptations and endured hardships because of your faith. God promises you this special reward in heaven!
    • The crown of righteousness
      To obtain this great reward, you must finish your course and love His appearing.
      "The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6–8).
      You were created to know God and to go to heaven. You may have lost your way, but don't lose your address. Don't deny the spiritual hunger in your soul. As believers, we have hope beyond the grave.
      Don't become overly concerned with the things of this life. Otherwise, you will have a saved soul but a lost life. Instead, remember your eternal rewards. And keep your eyes on Jesus, "the author and finisher of [your] faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
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