I’d Rather Have Jesus
I’d Rather Have Jesus
By Dennis Huebshman
From the moment Jesus was raptured back to Heaven in view of His disciples (Acts 1:9-11), every generation sincerely has expected His return in their time. Even in Paul’s epistles, he makes it clear he expected Jesus to return at any moment. However, he also made it clear that if he should die first, he would be with Jesus anyway. (Philippians 1:21) It was a win-win situation no matter what. (emphasis mine)
Paul took it even further with the “mystery” that he presented to the early churches. He spoke of an event that would take place that would remove all believers prior to the start of the “Wrath” or 7-year Tribulation. It would be the “taking up” of all believers to meet Jesus in the air; the dead “in Christ” first, and then “we who are alive” (1 Thessalonians 4:17), to “always be with the Lord”. It’s called the Rapture, and even though that particular word is not in modern bibles, the action of a rapture is clearly given.
Almost 2000 years have passed, and we still do not know the day or hour that Jesus will once again be on this earth to rule for 1000 years. That will start at the very end of the “Wrath”, so it stands to reason, if we are to be kept from the Wrath, we have to be taken before it starts.
The signs of the end of this age as given by Jesus, Paul and others, have always been present, to a degree. A few things had to happen to make the signs complete, and number one was that Israel had to be back in their own land as a sovereign nation. That was accomplished May 14, 1948. There has to be a new temple built in Jerusalem, which has not happened yet; however, this does not have to be completed prior to the Rapture. It most likely will take place at the very beginning of the Tribulation after the signing of the “peace treaty”. The one that comes up with the “perfect peace plan” between Israel and the rest of the world will be the ultimate antichrist. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, it’s stated that he cannot come forward until the “restrainer” is removed. That’s believed to be the Holy Spirit. It’s very possible that one of the elements of the treaty is to allow Israel to rebuild the temple. They already have everything needed, and it’s possible it could be completed in less than one year.
The main issue today is unbelief. Satan has convinced many people that this is all fictious. He has scoffers going around saying, “Where is He? – “Nothing has changed, and His return is a myth.”. This in itself is a sign as given in 2 Peter 3:3-4.
John speaks of many antichrists coming at the last hours (1 John 2:18). We have more false prophet and antichrist activities today than ever before. It’s a definite prelude to the arrival of the ultimate evil one. There’s even open satan worship with “Churches of Satan” being established in numerous places in this country.
More than ever, the world is turning away from anything Christian, and that’s another sign. False prophets are in every evangelical organization, and are “prosperity” preaching; goodwill and peace messages; “All religions worship the same god, but just in different ways”. Jesus is being left in the background along with solid biblical teachings. This works well to keep the attendance levels up, and collection plates filled. The more spectacular the Church Production, the more people want to return. Again, it’s all designed to give the people an emotional “high” that they want more of.
After all, who wants to go to an event that says we’re all lost sinners unless we have Jesus in our hearts? That just seems a bit narrow minded. Besides, many of today’s preachers are bringing bible scripture up to date, and all that stuff that was supposed to be an abomination to the Father is now acceptable. Right?
Verses being totally left out of their sermons are first and foremost John 14:6; followed by Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; Romans 8:1; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-13.
It’s all too easy to fall under the “group” mentality if it sounds good and is not accusing them of any wrong-doing. Besides, isn’t religion supposed to make us feel happy and joyful?
To paraphrase Joshua 24:15, “All the religions of the world can worship as they please, but for me and my household, we will worship the Lord”. We would rather have Jesus and be assured of our eternal home, than fall into any of satan’s traps.
Rhea F. Ross Miller wrote a poem in 1932, and George Beverly Shea’s mother left a copy of it on their piano. She hoped her son would find it. Not only did George find it, but the words opened his heart, and he composed a tune to fit the poem. When his mom heard him singing the new song, she asked him to sing it at Church the next Sunday. He did, and through a series of events and the passing of several years, he became a regular with Evangelist Billy Graham, and the song was sung around the world.
I admit, I love to hear him sing, and he always put his heart into all the songs. George Beverly Shea lived from February 1, 1909 to April 16, 2013, and is buried on the Billy Graham compound in Charlotte, North Carolina. He wrote another song called “The Wonder Of It All”, which is very inspirational as well.
I’d Rather Have Jesus
(v-1) I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold. I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-scarred hands.
(chorus) Than to be the king of a vast domain; or be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything; this world affords today.
(v-2) I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause. I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. I’d rather be true to His Holy Name. (chorus)
(v-3) He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb. He’s all that my hungering spirit needs; I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead. (chorus)
This song brings to mind several verses. Matthew 16:24-26 where Jesus talks about “taking up our cross and following Him”. Also Philippians 1:21 where “To live is Christ; to die is gain”. And then Philippians 3:8 where Paul says everything is loss except for knowing Jesus; which is everything.
The time is approaching when there will be a “shout from an Arch Angel, and the blast of a trumpet/shofar”. This will signal the Rapture has arrived. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) It will be over in an instant, described as “the twinkling of an eye”. We will finally get to see our Savior up close and personal! People have asked if I’m looking forward to seeing all my departed loved ones again. My reply is that I very much look forward to seeing them again, but first and foremost I want to see My Savior!
Give consideration today as to where you choose to spend eternity. If it is your choice, the Father will allow you to refuse to accept His Son, but you will be bound for the Lake of Fire. He would much rather that you call out for Jesus’ saving grace, and accept His sacrifice for your sins. (2 Peter 3:9) He really wants no one to fail. To wait for a “more opportune time” is playing right into satan’s plan. We don’t know when the call will come, but by all the convergence of all the signs, it could be any minute. Don’t gamble with your eternal soul. It’s much too valuable to our Savior
Maranatha!