THEME: RAPTURE: ARE YOU READY?
MEMORISE:
Behold, come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Revelation 16:15
READ: Matthew 24:36-44
36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
MESSAGE:
As Christians, we should be excited that one day. We will leave this sinful world for Heaven - A place where there is no sorrow or sickness, where there is no need to work, where the only thing we will be doing is worshipping God. Heaven is a place of all-round enjoyment. Everyone I know who has had a revelation of Heaven did not want to return to earth because it is just too beautiful and perfect.
Now, let me ask you - are you prepared for the Rapture? If the trumpet were to sound now, would you be on your way to Heaven or would you remain here on earth? Examine your life very well: the thoughts of your heart, the words of your mouth, the things you do with your hands - are they things that will make you qualified for Heaven or will they hold you back if the Rapture takes place today? If you have not been living holy, you are lucky that rapture has not occurred because if it had, you would either be in hell by now or left here on earth to face the Anti-Christ. If I were you, I would take the opportunity to repent now and begin to live holy. The Rapture is not something that you should toy with; it is a matter of eternity - an era without an end. Nothing should be too precious for you to leave so you can make it to Heaven. Jesus said in Mark 8:36:
*For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?*
If your hands will make you lose Heaven, it is better you cut them off than go to hell with two hands. Imagine that you manage to squeeze through the gate of Heaven but it closes on one of your hands. You would have two options: either to cut off the hand and go in or to go back out with two good hands. Which would you take?
I am sure you would prefer to enter Heaven without that hand. In the same way, you should prefer to sacrifice the pleasure of spending stolen money, you should be able to discipline yourself from engaging in fornication or adultery and stop telling lies so that you can make it to Heaven. Nobody knows when the Rapture will take place or when they would die. Even if the trumpet does not sound today, are you sure you will still be alive tomorrow? Remember, it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this is the judgment(Hebrew 9:27).
KEY POINT:
Nothing should be too difficult for you to drop so as to make heaven
HYMN 24:
1.I need Thee every hour
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee;
Ev'ry hour I need Thee!
Oh, bless me now my Saviour;
I come to thee!
2.I need thee every hour,
Stay thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
When thou art nigh.
3.I need thee every hour
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide
Or life is vain.
4.I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 37-39
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
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