LABOURING IN HOLINESS TO LEAD OTHERS TO HEAVEN

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

{Mathew 24.31; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: Revelation 20:6; John 1:35-59; 14:1-4; Acts 8:26-39}

The eternal plan of the Lord for every one of His disciples in the world is that they all participate in the glorious Rapture of the saints, and be with Him in Heaven. He has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-4). And as certain as He has gone to heaven, so He will come back from His Father's presence to take His disciples to be with Him in heaven. The ultimate purpose of the Lord in the Rapture of the saints is that we may be with Him forever. The coming of the Lord for the Rapture of the saints will be at an UNEXPECTED TIME and without any immediate warning (Matthew 24:44; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). At the sudden appearing of the Lord, the 'dead in Christ' will resurrect (I Thessalonians 4:16), while the living believers will be transfigured; their bodies will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 1 5:51,53). Their transformation will occur in a very short time, "in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52). There shall be surprises, amazement, and unexpectedness for all the faithful believers. It will be like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:2)! The Lord commands us, therefore, to watch Matthew 24:42) and be ready every moment for His sudden return. The coming of the Lord is possible any day. It is impossible no day (Mark 13:33-37; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 7:29; 10:11; 15:51-52; Philippians 4:5).

CALL TO BE READY FOR HEAVEN

Matthew 24:40-42: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:29; 10:11; 15:51-52; Philippians 4:5

Christ's statement concerning many that shall be left behind (Matthew 24:40), is a warning for every believer to be fully prepared and be fully ready for heaven. Those who claim to be holy and yet permit 'little' sin will be left behind. Those who know to do good, and yet do it not, will be left behind. Those who walk in 'little' disobedience will be left behind. All hypocrites will be left behind. Believers who neglect the day of The Lord will be left behind. Those who choose which portion of the Bible to obey and which portion to reject will be left behind. Those who walk in unforgiveness, malice, hatred, even with fellow brethren, will be left behind. Habitual latecomers to church activities will be left behind. Those who count days of activities as nothing, who go when they like, will be left behind. Those who rob God will be left behind. Those who neglect the commission of Christ on evangelism will be left behind. Those who claim to be believers, and yet fail to abstain from evil, will be left behind at the Rapture (Matthew 25: 1: Luke 12:45). So called believers who are worldly in speech, thought, deed, dressing and appearance, will be left behind at rapture. The Holy Spirit is calling us all to be ready for heaven. How ready are you? As we wait for His coming, the Bible commands us to "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2). We are to labour in soul winning every day to lead as many we can to the Lord, "pulling them out of fire" while we hate and reject "every garment spotted by the flesh' (Jude 1:23). Our aim should be to make heaven at last and also, to go with as many as we can.

CONSECRATION FOR HEAVEN AT LAST

Colossians 3:1-4; James 4:7; Philippians 2:14-15; 2 Corinthians 6: 17: John 5:17

As we joyfully wait for the coming of the Lord, we are to set our minds on things above, and consider, judge, view, and value everything from the perspective of eternity. Our desires, goals pursuits, and ambitions should be to seek spiritual things (Colossians 3:1-4), say clear 'NO' to sin (Colossians 3:5-11), and to live like Christ in the world (Colossians 3:12-17). Our question should be, 'this step that I am about to take, will it help me to make heaven at last, or cast me to hell fire?' If we are to get to heaven with Jesus, then we must, in life, be SURRENDERED (yielded, submissive, and totally given unto the Lord (James 4:7); in conduct, be SINLESS (that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:3-8); in lifestyle, be SEPARATED (with unbending determination to come out of the world, reject its lusts and pleasures, touching not any unclean thing, that we might not be rejected at last (2 Corinthians 6:17). We are commanded in God's Word to be "clean that bear the vessels of the LORD" (Isaiah 52:1 1); in commitment, be SERIOUS our decision should be, to bring as many souls as we can to the kingdom of God, follow them up, be faithful to the Lord in which ever assignment He has given us in the church (John 5:17), work the works of "Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4); in faith, be SURE (like the centurion, whose faith brought healing to His servant (Matthew 8:10), our faith, as a grain of mustard seed, will enable us to say to every mountain before us, "remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20). It is written concerning us as believers, "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1: 17).