DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND
The Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins is a publishing phenomenon. Breaking all records for Christian books and most nonchristian books – the series has sold in excess of 50 million books in over 12 languages. What many readers don’t realize, is that the Bible really has stated that an event of this sort – millions of people vanishing unexpectedly - is going to happen. And all indications are that it will be soon.. Most people, when you mention prophecy, think of Jean Dixon, or the tabloids’ “Top 10 Psychics,” and are used to them being off in their predictions. The prophets of the Bible, though, were charged with the task of delivering predictions that were 100% accurate. They were presumed to be speaking for God, and were allowed no margin of error. The Bible states: And you may say in your heart, `How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) Just before that God said, But the prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. I’d bet that the tabloids’ prophets are glad that that law is not on the books! So, if we are supposed to be living in some sort of “End Times,” and the Bible’s prophets are supposed to be 100% accurate, just what does the Bible have to say about all this? Of first importance was that the Jews would have control of Israel. They were scattered throughout the world after the Romans sacked
Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The Bible stated without hesitation that Israel would become a nation again (as it did in 1948), that the Jews would have control over Jerusalem (as it happened in 1967), and that the Temple would be rebuilt and back in use (which has not happened yet, but there is move afoot among some Jews to get it rebuilt.) I’m sure you have heard stories of “End Times” hysteria in the past, but no other generation has seen the regathering of the Jews in their ancient homeland after being dispersed throughout the entire world for 2000 years. With the Jews in Israel, the stage was set for further predictions. Due north of Israel a world power would emerge, right where Russia now sits. There would be a coalition of Arab countries surrounding Israel and the Mideast would be in constant turmoil. There was one prediction that the "King of the East" would attack Israel with an army of two hundred million men. In that day, there were not that many people in the whole world, yet today China due east of Israel - boasts an army of two hundred million men! The Bible’s list of mankind's condition reads like the self-help section of bookstore: a focus on prosperity, people being lovers of self, violence, people's love growing cold. The world of religion would fare no better: scoffers, those falling away from the faith, a rejection of sound doctrine, and those following the doctrines of demons, with the churches coming together by compromising doctrine. On a global scale, the world's woes were compared to birth pangs, getting stronger and more frequent as "the time" gets near. Wars, and other natural disasters such as famines, plagues, and earthquakes are all growing in frequency and intensity. At some time the world's economy will be controlled by one man. This would not have been possible even 30 years ago, but the technology that will soon be giving us the "smart cards" will enable one man to control everything. One interesting bit of information that I’ve found is the prophet Zechariah's prediction that the Messiah would come from the heavens and land on the Mount of Olives, splitting it in two from east to west. This is the same spot from which Jesus ascended into heaven with a promise to return the same way in which His disciples saw Him go. Recently a Jewish oil research team discovered a large fault running through the Mount of Olives, which could split it in half, from east to west.
Ok, so if the evidence indicates that the Bible has a pretty good handle on these days, what does it say about this snatching away as portrayed in Left Behind? Jesus Himself told His disciples: ...and He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other...Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. (Matthew 24:31) The apostle Paul also spoke of this event in his letter to the Thessalonians: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive , and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus shall we ever be with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:13-17) Paul also wrote to the church in Corinth: Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.” (I Corinthians 15:51-54) It stands to reason that if God is going to do this, first, He would warn people ahead of time, and second, the devil would try to have his own lie to explain what happened. Well, you are being warned
right now. The Left Behind books are a warning. Hundreds of preachers have been warning of this event for centuries, and today there are currently thousands of web sites that have all been warning of this. Fairly recently I discovered that several groups were predicting that millions of people were going to suddenly disappear from earth, but each group had a significantly different interpretation of just why it will have happened, each giving it their own unique twist. Some UFO cultists who have been in contact with (they presume) space aliens are saying that when the "Space Brothers" take control to impose their New World Order (for our benefit, of course) rebels who are not willing to follow will be instantly beamed aboard starships and taken to another planet for reprogramming. Some New Agers are saying that when man's next quantum leap in evolution occurs, bringing us to a new higher level of consciousness, those who are not part of the Great Movement will be removed from the physical dimension to a nonphysical dimension where their karma will have to catch up with them before they can return to earth. Do you remember the "World Instant of Cooperation" several years ago when millions of people around the world were going to try to bring about world peace by meditating about it all at the same time? They have not gone away. These people are saying that when the New World Order is ushered in by millions and millions of people thinking about peace, there will be a mass disappearance of people who are not a part of it. There is a group of Christians on the lunatic fringe - whether they are true Believers, I don't know - who call themselves the "Manifest Sons of God," or “Kingdom Now.” These people are trying to "christianize" the world by getting Christians (their own particular flavor, of course) into public office and legislate Christian morality. They have a lofty ambition to crush evil and have a perfect world to hand over to hand over to Jesus when He returns. They think any talk of a snatching away is escapism, and completely reject any concept of a violent end of the world. These clowns teach that "carnal Christians" who are not a part of this great movement of God are going to be removed for judgment. Did you catch the common thread through these last four scenarios and how Jesus was the odd man out? In each case something wonderful is going to be brought about on the earth, just as soon as
the troublemakers are out of the way, but Jesus stressed that He will come to take the "Elect." Most of those who have read the books or saw the movies know that this snatching away will usher in a 7-year period of disasters called “the Tribulation.” Many, though, have missed the point of just why it will happen. Jesus gave us the reason: For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. (Matthew 24:37) Do you know why God flooded the earth in the days of Noah? Sin. By the time of Noah, mankind had gotten so sinful that God decided to wipe the earth clean and start over. At this point, you may be thinking, “Sin, sin, sin. Who cares about sin? I’m not all that bad. I’m not perfect. After all, I’m only human, but I try to follow the Ten Commandment and the Golden Rule.” James, Jesus’ half-brother, stated For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." (James 2:10-11) The Ten Commandments were given not to make us good, but to show us that we’re already not good. But God is a God of love, right? That’s what everyone says…and they’re right. Paul stated, For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly (That’s you and me!) For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
Elsewhere in that same letter he wrote, All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Nobody ever had to tell me I was a sinner, but sometimes we need to be told the obvious. My friends and I used to revel in that fact, but Paul also told the Romans, The wages of sin is DEATH… Whoa. As I was growing up, I'd heard about hell, but I really didn't take it seriously. Was it possible that there could be a Death after the death of the body? Right after this ominous statement, though, Paul adds, ...but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Jesus lived a life without sin, then “collected” our wage of death. He then raised Himself from the dead and offers forgiveness of sin and eternal life to those who will accept it. By being willing to turn away from your old life, and turning to Jesus in faith, you become truly a child of God and bound for heaven. You also become one of the “Elect,” and will be among those taken to miss the 7 years of God’s judgment. All it takes is for you to turn to Jesus in faith for the forgiveness of your sin. Faith can be expressed in prayer. You could pray something like: Jesus, I’m not really sure what this is all about, but if it’s real I want to be with those taken. I ask You to be my Savior and forgive my sin. With Your help, I turn from that sin and will live for you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Don’t worry about doubts at this point. Jesus will look past honest doubts. Mark tells in his Gospel of a man coming to Jesus, asking for a miracle. The man cried, "Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief!" He got his request. Jesus promised, "All who come to Me I will not turn away."
If you prayed this prayer – or exercised faith in some other way – write to us at the address below so we can help you explore this new adventure that you have just embarked upon. Oh, one other thing…If you had been rescued from some stormtossed waters, I’m sure your impulse would be to turn around to help rescue those who were still there. In the same way, you may want to tell others how to get forgiveness for their sins and not be left behind. We can give you help there, too. Steve Herr Newcreature Publications Box 6342 Jackson, Michigan 49204
Newcreature52@Juno.Com
Will you be here to see this headline?