Saturday after the Second Sunday of End Time, 11/18/00

Matthew 24: 39b—42 “That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other let. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” --NIV

In the name of the Son of Man, amen.

Today we look at something that is not a sign of the end, but an occurrence at the end. There is a popular series in Christian Bookstores called the “Left Behind” series. These books talk about something called the rapture. Simply put, the doctrine of the rapture, as it is taught in these books, says that true believers will be removed from the earth some period of time (usually one thousand years) before Christ returns in Triumph. There are a number of problems with this doctrine, but we will focus only on one. If you carefully read the context of today’s passage, you will see that it is definitely speaking of Jesus’ return. There is only one return of Jesus, and it is then that the “rapture” takes place. The true teaching of the rapture is simply this: Christians still living when Christ returns will have their bodies changed (1 Corinthians 15: 51—54), and will be caught up with Christ as he comes in glory. Those who are “left behind” are simply those who are damned. There is clearly no second chance.

Dear Christian, do not be fooled by the false doctrine of the “Left Behind” series. We must live every moment as if Christ is returning right now. We must reach out to others in love because there is no second chance. We must not think that there is anything that can be done for them after the rapture, because the rapture is the end. Today is the day of grace for all who are living. Let us give thanks to God for it, and reach out to everyone we can with the life-giving Gospel. Amen.

Prayer: Dear Lord, don’t let us be fooled by dreams of second chances for people. Hold our minds in Your hand so that we focus on the work You have given us to do, and not be distracted. We ask this to the glory of Your holy name, amen.

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