For this time, I have decided to re-visit a commentary that I originally posted on May 1st of 2009. I'm doing so because it has become clear to me that its message is so very important to many people. ..... As some of you are aware, I am involved in worship music as a singer, songwriter and guitar player. Besides playing on the worship team at Chehalem Valley Baptist Church in Newberg, I'm also involved with the worship team "Faithful To One." (There is a link to the group's website on this site). .... Anyway, the point is this ...... Every time we do a night of worship, one of the songs we play I wrote some 25+ years ago. It is titled "Ballad Of A Lonely Soul" and was written about my son's 'spiritual' condition - and the fact that he is not saved. .... At the end of the evening, people invariably will come up to me and ask for the lyrics because it reminds them of one of their own children's condition. I tell them that it is on our just released CD entitled "Rain Down" (which you can get by going to our website - www.faithfulto1.com .... end of commercial, I promise). Then I always ask to pray with them and their lost child ... and always, the burden on their hearts are so heavy, just like mine. ....... So, in re-releasing this writing, it will give those of you who share in this burden just one more way of trying to reach your lost loved one. It is my greatest desire that we NEVER give up!!!
So, here it is ............
- Second Chance -
In
my daily process of reviewing world news websites for signs of
prophetic fulfillment, this particular article really jumped out at me.
It's from 'The Independent' and I quote, "G-8 set out to fight Famine,
War, Pestilence and Death." ... If I hadn't known better, I would have
thought this was a prophecy newsletter discussing the 'Four horsemen of
the Apocalypse,' revealed in Revelation, chapter six.
Those
of us who study the prophecies of the Bible know that the end of the
age is coming quickly. We hear the hoofbeats of the four horsemen
growing louder with each passing day.
Let's
for a moment quickly review the sequence of events leading up to our
Savior's coming reign. First, we will see an increase of the
aforementioned famine, war, pestilence and death. ... These are part of
the 'birth pains' mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke
21.
Next, those of us who are
pre-tribulationists believe that the rapture of the church will take
place. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 tells how we believers "will be caught up
together" to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever. (For
more teaching on the 'Rapture,' go to the 'teaching tab' on this
website). ...... Right after this occurs, there will be a seven-year
tribulation period spoken of in great detail in Revelation, chapters 6
through 18. ... Then, after its completion, the Lord comes back to earth
to defeat satan and his hordes in the Battle of Armageddon and then
rule this earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20). ... The rest of the
story takes place in Revelation 21 and 22.
Now,
to the point of this week's commentary .... let's go back to the
rapture of the church for a moment. While we christians await this day
with great anticipation, it has also created a dilemma for many of us
... and that is ... what about our loved ones who are not yet saved?
... 'Yes Lord, we want you to come back, but would you please wait
until my children are all saved?'! ..... In 2 Peter 3:8-9, scripture
says that "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish ...."
..... but let's be honest, some will be left behind.
So
what can we do? Just this past week, a close christian friend
mentioned this worry and asked what more could be done ..... was there
anything more she could do to reach this 'lost' child ................
needless to say, I, along with many other brothers and sisters in
Christ, have wrestled with this same worry. .... Besides the son, I
have a daughter who is not saved and, trust me .... it has caused my
wife and I great anguish.
While we pray and
hope for the best, we need to prepare for the alternative. The reality
is, there will be those who will be left behind ..... and if it is our
daughter, we want to be sure she knows what happened. ........... So
what we've done is tell her about our Lord and Savior and that He is
coming for us ... and when she gets up one day and we are gone, there is
a letter waiting for her in our top desk drawer.
The
letter says, ........ "To our baby girl ... right now you are very
confused. No, there has been no invasion from outer space! ..... You
are reading this because mom and I, along with millions of other people,
have disappeared ... babies and children still innocent in God's eyes
... have vanished.
"There is much to fear but
NOT for those who are missing. They placed their faith in Christ Jesus
alone and have all been taken to heaven. ... 1 Thessalonians tells us
that the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout ... with
the voice of the Archangel and with the trump of God that the dead in
Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with Him in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air
and so shall we ever be with Him.
"But there is
still hope for all of you who have been left behind. There is
approximately seven years before the final battle and the ultimate
destruction of the evil one. If you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ you
can and will be saved from the final judgement of hell. ..... With all
our hearts we hope that this is your decision so that we all can be
together with our Lord in everlasting happiness and joy. .... May our
God protect and bless you in this difficult time of tribulation.
...... We will eternally love you."
Mom & Dad
Now
I know our daughter thinks we are a bit kooky, and certainly crazy ....
but she loves us anyway ... and when the rapture takes place, she will
have an explanation of what has happened. .............. And here's the
GOOD NEWS! ... She will remember what we told her and she will know
that we weren't so crazy after all! ... And then the GREAT news ... she
will accept the Lord and will be saved along with millions of others
during this last seven years of great tribulation.
Yes
...... it will be a horrible time ......... but remember that it is
short and they will join us in victory for eternity!!! ......
Hallelujah!!!
So ... keep witnessing to those
you love, even if you meet resistance. The more they know when the day
comes, the more chance there is for their salvation.
..................... DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!
Until next time,
Red
PS - If the Lord takes us home before the rapture, it will just be another opportunity to witness to her.
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