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It’s my opinion that all Christ-followers should be saddened this week. After incredible publicity, last Saturday’s Judgment Day forecast became a non-event. However, end of the world jokes and Rapture mocking was out in full force. You may have even heard the ridicule on late night television or on ESPN (of all places).  It happened because of 5,000 billboards and other pronouncements of the Judgment Day that were broadcast throughout America. While I would not venture to question the motives of those publishing the Rapture date, I absolutely regret that they chose to predict what Scripture does not reveal. And I also regret that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ was turned into “last day on earth jokes”.

While we don’t know the day or the hour, every believer can look to that “blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13b). His glorious appearing is not something to be ridiculed, but on the contrary, for Christ- followers an event to be cherished. From my viewpoint, Christians today tend to be a bit earthbound, and not really looking for that blessed hope. When something is pronounced that is so theologically incorrect, it should cause all of us to reflect on our hope and the reality of His coming. Since we don’t know when that day will be (it could be sooner than later), doesn’t it make good sense to live in a way that pleases our Lord every day?

I typically would not address a specific issue in our posts, but the Lord’s return is not just any issue. As I was reading Scripture this week in I Corinthians, the rapture was referenced and gave me the encouragement to share my thoughts with you. Note what is going to happen.

I Corinthians 15:51-53
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 

There is no doubt Jesus is coming. Last week should cause us all to reflect on that wonderful truth. In light of what was portrayed incorrectly as Judgment Day, contemplate these honest questions…

— Do you understand Scripture well enough to detect error?
— Are you living in a way that pleases the Father (not perfect, but progressing)?
— Are you sharing your faith? Now is a great time to initiate conversations!
— By faith, have you accepted Christ as your Savior?

All these questions are important, but the last question causes my heart to pause and be in prayer for all those who might come into contact with this post and not answer a definitive “yes”.

It has been our mission from day 1 at Journey onWord to encourage believers to be in the Word.  But this site, and our hearts, are not exclusive to those who are already believers.  It is our desire, and our privilege to proclaim the gospel to all who read.  We invite any reader into a further dialog on any of the questions we pose, and offer a special invitation to anyone who would love to talk further about that last question.

If you don’t yet know the Savior, don’t delay; accept His gift of salvation.  Not motivated by a day or a deadline, but because Jesus is everything, and the joy of His kingdom is now.  He came “so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 — MSG)