What If?
What If?
By Dennis Huebshman
I grew up in a church that taught if you died with even one unconfessed sin, you would go to hell. Also, you were expected to do a certain amount of works, or your fate would be the same.
Isaiah 64:6 says our works are as filthy rags to the Father.
As for the sin, how many sins had you committed when Jesus went to the Cross? His death burial and resurrection was for the sins of the world – all sins – my sins. If we could do anything to earn or buy our salvation, then why did Jesus have to die for us?
What can we do for our Salvation? Romans 10:9-13 says; “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
(Referencing Isaiah 45:17) “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For All Who Call On The Name Of The Lord Will Be Saved.”
When God makes an “I Will” statement, that is a covenant that is purer than any treasure this world could hold. If He says “I will, if you…” then, there is a condition to His covenant. What is the condition of His covenant with all who will be saved? Believe in and accept His Son; Confess we are sinners (Romans 3:23); call out to Jesus to forgive us and save us from the lake of fire; have the faith to believe this is so. To add anything to this is an insult to the sacrifice made by our Jesus. All who will do this, will have started a Relationship with Jesus that will last all eternity.
As for the unconfessed sin, for the one who has received and accepted the gift that Jesus gave at Calvary, our sins, past, present and future are forgiven. In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Paul tells us our works will be tested. Those found worthy will receive rewards, and those that will be burned up will lose rewards. If we do deeds to be recognized for them, then those deeds would be best left undone. If we do deeds that in our hearts we are saying “Thank You Lord, for without you I could do nothing, and I wish no praise from any person for doing good and serving you”, then those deeds would survive the fire. Those who are in Christ, will attend the Judgment Seat of Christ as given in 2 Corinthians 5:10, to receive or lose rewards. All who are at this judgment will still have eternal life with the Savior.
For the one who says, “You don’t know what I’ve done”, God does, and for those who have Jesus as their Savior, Psalm 103:12 applies. “As far as east is from west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that by grace we are saved through faith so that no one could boast. We receive Grace for something we do not deserve, and Mercy from the Father to keep us from what we do deserve. The only unforgiveable sin is to take our last breath on this earth without having Jesus as our Savior.
Now, to answer the question – What If?
First we look at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers/sisters, about those who are asleep (have died), that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep (their souls). For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an Archangel, with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead IN CHRIST will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
(Corinthians) “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 body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”
We know this is not the second touch-earth coming of the Lord to put down the Rebellion of the 7-year tribulation. This is the Rapture, Harpazo, the taking up or whatever, in order that God’s promise to keep all of Jesus’ flock from the Wrath. Verses are 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 and Revelation 3:10.
There will be a 7-year wrath/tribulation period as the word of the Father is true. He cannot lie as given in Titus 1:2. All bible prophecy that has been completed to date has been done with 100% accuracy, and the few prophecies that are left will be done the same way. The next major prophecy to be completed will be the rising up of all True Believers to meet Jesus in the air, just as the scripture says.
Just looking at what is taking place in today’s world, we are seeing Matthew 24; 2 Timothy 3 and other passages coming to life as never before. Looking at 1 John 4:2-3; “By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming, and is in the world already.”
This was nearly 2000 years ago, and the forces of satan were already at work. Today, that work is more out in the open than ever before in an effort for the New World Order to prepare for the arrival of the ultimate antichrist. Prior to about 10 years ago, no one had heard of a “Church of satan”, but they are scattered all over this country. Satanism is out in the open as never before. Anything perceived to be about Jesus is being condemned by the secular world, and we’re seen as “haters”. This activity is increasing not only daily, but almost hourly.
Satan knows the bible better than any of us, he just believes he can get around God’s word. His “Did God Really Say” line has worked from the time of the Garden of Eden, and is effective for him today. His followers and demons are more active right now because satan knows his time is drawing short.
We are told we don’t know the day or hour that Jesus will return, and this mainly refers to the Rapture. Once the tribulation starts, it can just about be calculated as to when Jesus comes back to rule and reign on this earth for a thousand years.
The question for today is What If. What If He were to come back today. Ask yourself, Have I really accepted Jesus as My Savior, and would I be taken up to meet Him in the air? Only you can answer for yourself if you are prepared to leave this earth on a second’s notice. The statement by Paul about the Twinkling of an eye has been calculated as considerably less than one second. That’s just about how fast the Believers will be removed, and yes, God can do this. The left behind will only know that the “haters” are gone. In fact, there’s theories already being spoken of by satan’s followers as to why we will be gone.
False prophets have taken over some evangelical churches that previously preached the word of God. All of a sudden, things that were told are abominations to God are now okay with Him. Messages are being given that are meant to soothe and entertain, not to give the word of the Father which will save the membership. Sadly, the Sunday after the Rapture, there will be some churches, including major ones, that will not see a change in the membership present.
Joshua 24:15 sums up what we should be thinking right now – paraphrasing; As for Me and My Family, we will worship the Lord.
Take a good look at your relationship with the Savior, and see if you have really received and accepted Him or now. Only you can answer this as it’s an individual choice each of us have to make. There is nothing wrong with realizing you need to really call out to Jesus for your Salvation, and in fact is absolutely necessary if you wish to spend eternity with Him.
For all who don’t, Revelation 20:11-15 will be their fate, followed by the lake of fire. All at the Great White Throne Judgment are lost, and just waiting to find out their degree of eternal punishment.
Today would not be too early to Call on the Savior.