We are living in a time like no other. The signs of the time are all around us. We see things happening right before our eyes that Jesus said in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 would come to pass just before his coming again. Jesus said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door." (Mt 24:33) The Bible says also that the generation that sees these things "shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Mat 24:34) Most Christians have no idea that they are commanded to look for our Lord's coming. "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Mat 24:42).

The Bible promises a reward to all people who remain watchful for Jesus' return. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim 4:8).

My friends, we are about to witness the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But there is something that we must be aware of. The Apostle Paul calls it a mystery and tells about it in 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.

51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul says:

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

These are familiar verses. We have heard them read at funeral services as a comfort in knowing that we will see our departed loved ones again if we and they have been saved. They tell us that Jesus will return one day and take all who belong to Christ, home to be with Him in heaven in what is known as "the rapture". Those who have gone to be with the Lord will return with him and be re-united with their bodies that are in the graves and those who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air.

But, you might question and say, the word 'rapture' is not found in the Bible. The word 'Bible' is not found in the Bible either, yet I have one! To argue over such things are vain. The truth is that Jesus is coming again . His word tells us that He is coming again. In John 14:1-4 Jesus himself says:

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 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.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Therefore, the fact that Jesus is coming again is not and should not be questioned. The only question is personal: What does that mean for me? When Jesus comes again, can you honestly and with assurance say that you know without a doubt that you will go with him?

John 14:5-6
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1. YOU ARE A SINNER:
   ROMANS 3:12 "....THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE."
   ROMANS 3:23 "FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD."
2. YOUR SINS HAVE TO BE PAID FOR:
   ROMANS 6:23 "FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH."
   REVELATION 21:8 "....AND ALL LIARS SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNETH WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH."
3. YOU WILL FACE THE JUDGMENT ONE DAY:
   HEBREWS 9:27 "AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT."
   REVELATION 20:12 "AND I SAW THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STAND BEFORE GOD; AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED,...AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED OUT OF THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS."
4. YOU HAVE A SUBSTITUTE WHO TOOK YOUR DEATH PENALTY:
   ROMANS 5:8 "BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US."
5. YOU MUST NOW RECEIVE HIM, BY ASKING HIM TO SAVE YOU:
   REVELATIONS 3:20 "BEHOLD I STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK: IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME."
   ROMANS 10:13 "FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED."

"DEAR LORD, I KNOW THAT I AM A SINNER AND THAT I WILL DIE AND DESERVE TO GO TO HELL.  I AM SORRY ABOUT ALL MY SINS, AND I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME, AND TO COME INTO MY HEART AND SAVE ME. JESUS, PLEASE SAVE ME FROM HELL, AND GIVE ME A HOME IN HEAVEN.  THANK YOU FOR DYING FOR ME, AND HELP ME TO LIVE FOR YOU FROM THIS DAY FORWARD.  IN JESUS NAME. AMEN."

NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE YOU TO MISS HEAVEN. YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER IN ONE OF TWO PLACES -- HEAVEN OR HELL.

1 Peter 3:9-18

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

IT IS NOT GOD'S WILL THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.

IF YOU ARE SAVED, PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE!

IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED,