Israel, Magog, and the Rapture

Harvest podcasts featuring Pastor Greg Laurie are brought to you by harvest partners to receive Pastor Greg free online daily devotions or to become a harvest partner, please visit us online@harvest.org left turn in our Bibles to the book of Ezekiel chapter 37. The title of my messages, Israel, Magog and the rapture. You know when I first became a Christian I noticed that there was a lot of talk about the return of Jesus Christ. I became a believer back in 1970 and the top-selling book of the entire decade of the 70s was the late great planet Earth by Hal Lindsay which was a book that spoke at depth about signs of the times and so forth.

And you would see people with bumper stickers on their cars with slogans like merit, which means Jesus is coming and Jesus is coming, or in case of rapture. This car will be left on man or get right or get left, there was a sense of expectancy among so many of us that we could be the generation that would see the return of the Lord when I was 35 years ago and I've gone through quite a few Jesus is coming, bumper stickers, so is my hope misplaced.

Was I wrong. Did we miss read the signs of the times, not at all. Listen, God is not linked and the Lord will return to this earth at the appointed hour that is already been predetermined in the councils of eternity, but there may be a reason why Jesus did not come home. We were hoping he would in 1970 and I think I can illustrate this pretty easily. How many of you will come to believe in Jesus Christ since 1970 race of your head. I rest my case. That's a lot of you. In fact, it's more of you raise your hand and did not reach her again and so here's what the Bible says. Second Peter 39 the Lord is not slack or late. Concerning this promise, as some men count lateness but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Listen God is waiting for that last person to believe. And when that person believes in Jesus or outing here. Can you imagine if you knew who that person was, would you be tempted to apply a little pressure. Perhaps as long as you get saved, already it's all of the Lord's hand. But I do believe that somewhere on this planet. There is a man or a woman at the Lord is waiting for them when they put their faith in Jesus Christ, we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and what we call the rapture of the church. Why do I believe this because all around me.

There are signs of the time. Last time we looked at one of the super signs of the last days which was the re-gathering together of the nation Israel in their homeland and this was against all odds.

It was something that had no precedent in human history that a nation would be regathered together again that it been spread the four corners of the earth. David Jeremiah in his book. One of the world is going on writes quote never had it decimated ancient people managed to retain their individual identity through almost 20 centuries and reestablish your nation in their original homeland. This event was specifically prophesied and it happened exactly as foretold, it was clearly a miraculous act of God" at the super sign and Jesus said this generation to generation that seizes up, and will not pass away until all these things be full. No one's the Jewish people had returned to their homeland. You might say the prophetic clock started to tick. May 14, 1948, a very important day in Bible prophecy. But the Bible not only said that the Lord would gather the Jews back to their homeland again but he said that Jerusalem would be theirs and Jerusalem would end up being the source of conflict in the end times for what's interesting is on May 14, 1948 Israel did not possess Jerusalem… Happened to the 67 war when Israeli forces captured the old city and reunified all of Jerusalem so the city was under Jewish control for the first time in many centuries. In Bible prophecy had been fulfilled to a T. And that's where the rub comes in because Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with many Arab leaders worldwide in sitting that insisting that Jerusalem and the entire West Bank are rightly Palestinian territory must ultimately be given back as a condition of peace. But here's the problem with that God gave Israel and the city of Jerusalem to the Jewish people. He made that promise that belongs to him and they're not going to give it up, nor should that and this is where the conflict comes from.

As a result of this, it's hard for us to understand the determination of the Jewish people to want to hold on the Jerusalem, but of course they have come through pores that are on thinkable as Tim LaHaye wrote in his book, are we living in the end times. Quote the smell of the Holocaust is still too fresh in their memories." Take a trip through Museum and Israelite godless sheriff that is dedicated to the memory of the 6 million Jews that died in the Holocaust, or walk to the core doors of the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC a look at what these people have suffered and you get a better understanding of the determination of the Jewish people to possess their land and their capital city of Jerusalem. But you have to understand that the Bible went out on a limb, so to speak with these predictions and as I said before, the Bible is the one book that dares to predict the future, not once, not twice, but hundreds of time we have so many prophecies that have been made and have been fulfilled that we can look back now, in retrospect, and then there are those prophecies that are being fulfilled in prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled. But understand this is not a big stretch for God predict the future if not anymore amazing that God can speak of the future than you could speak of the past event I would even take it a step further and safe. God can predict the future far more accurately than you and I can recall the past because a lot of times I forget things. My wife seems to remember every detail of everything you know and and the funny thing is come home from some event or something I did or I'll tell her about what happened and then I'll be re-describing it two days later some of my wife will see know you got it wrong.

This is whatever they said you were even there.

She said while I was there when you told me the first time and have left out a few details dominant fine. Get out so I can't even remember the past accurately. But God with perfect retention knows the past.

Of course, within the can speak of the future because, listen God lives in the eternal relevance of God can speak of the future with as much accuracy as he can speak of the past. It's all the same to you tomorrow is like yesterday to God doing God says this is going to happen. If not taking a risk.

Just God thing. I know it's going to happen because I'm eternal and is going to happen. So he is telling us Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. They will be the source of conflict… Take on our checklist of events and see what's already transpired transpired. The Bible says Israel will be scattered to the four corners of the earth did that happen. Yes, check Israel will be regathered together for that happen. Yes, Jack, Israel will be regathered together in the homeland of Israel from which they were scattered as that happened, yes, Jack, Israel will regain the city of Jerusalem. Again, as that happen. Just check Israel will be isolated from the other nations of the world is this happening.

Yes, Jack, Israel will be attacked by a nation to her, nor bent on her destruction hasn't happened. Not yet, but it's in process. Yes Jerusalem will be at the center of the conflicts of the world, not Rome, not Paris, not London, not New York City. The little tiny city of Jerusalem. We read in Luke 2120 when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies you'll know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Zechariah 12 to God says I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem on that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone burden for the whole world John Wahlberg are respected expert on Bible prophecy made this statement and I quote the prophecies about Jerusalem, make it clear that the holy city will be in the center of the world event in the end time.

The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs will focus more more attention on Jerusalem and all of these situations Jerusalem as a city to watch is a city of prophetic destiny prepares to act out her final role." Israel a nation that at one point is only 9 miles. Why God says shall be at the center of the end time events and it's happening just as the Bible promised it would. Well the Scripture of course prophesied this would take place and let's read our text. Now Ezekiel 37 on the reverse is 1 to 6. This is a series of verses were God speaks about the regathering of the Jews again. By the way I'm reading from the new living translation.

The Lord took hold of me and I was carried away by the spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bone.

He led me among the old dry bones and covered the valley floor.

There were scattered everywhere across the ground and then he asked me sentiment in these bones become living people again and then I said will Lord you will know the answer that he said speak to these bones and say dry bones listen to the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says look to make you breathe again and make you live again. I'll put flexion muscles on you and cover you with skin. I'll put breath in you and you will come to life and then you will know that I am the Lord stop their promo knife freaks to some dead audiences before when nothing like this. God says to Ezekiel, preach a sermon to the driver why would he want to do that because God says you live again. Okay fine but would assist me if some prophet talking to a bunch of bones in a valley what significance is that have the Lord gives us the interpretation.

In verses 11 to 14 of Ezekiel 37. Let's read that. Then he said to me, Son of Man. These bones represent the people of Israel there saying we become old dry bones all hope is gone. They'll give them this message from the sovereign Lord all my people all open up your graves of exile. I'll cause you to rise again and I'll bring you back to the land of Israel.

That specific enough and when this happens all my people you know that I am the Lord will put my Spirit in you and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord will see that I've done everything just as I promise. I the Lord have spoken.

So here we see the regathered nation of Israel in her land and we see that God is saying this will happen according to my word, but then after Ezekiel 37 is Ezekiel 38 that you didn't know that you probably did but here's why that's significant because Ezekiel 38 speaks of a large and powerful nation to the north of the newly established Jewish homeland along with a number of her allies in reading Israel. This is not yet happened. So let's see what it says. Ezekiel 38 verse one. This is another message again to me from the Lord.

Son of Man prophesied against God of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of me. Second, tubal given this message from the sovereign Lord God, I am your enemy, I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws in the lead you to your destruction of immobilizer truths and covering and make you a faster mighty horde, all fully armed especially noticed verse by Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all of their weapons brought down to verse eight a long time from now or in the latter times during the last days will be called an action in the last day. This is emphasized the number of times in these Ezekiel passages.

This is an end times event not something that is already transpired in the last days you'll salute down of the land of Israel, which will be light and peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands, you and all your allies are vast and awesome Lord will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.

With the Lord says at that time he will bottle come to your mind. You'll devise a wicked scheme.

You'll say Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages all march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence.

There now who could Magog possibly be, and ignore these allies of March with her. It is believed by many that Magog is speaking of modern-day Russia why this is believed well.

Magog was the second son of Japheth who, according to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus settled north of the Black Sea to Polynesia. Also mentioned Karen Ezekiel 38 with the fifth and sixth sons of Japheth whose descendents settled south of the Black Sea.

These tribes intermarried and became known as Magog. They settled to the north of Israel and Ezekiel 39 two God says to them all.

Turn your driving toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant nor so. All Bible directions are given in relation to Israel and if you look to the extreme north of Israel today will find the mighty nation of Russia. Now here's what really gets interesting look at the allies. That March, with Russia, we have Ethiopia, that would be modern-day Sudan, Islamic and Islamic area Libya Tessa Libya is Libya is Libya Omar Qaddafi we know of his anti-is really feeling that he's made very clear Persia is modern Iran. These are all Islamic cultures are all anti-Israel. Russia has five as a as my arms deals in place right now with Libya is an interesting thing about Persia. It wasn't until March 21, 1935 that Persia changed her name to what we now call Iran in here is this alliance a God says will form so all of these things coming together an amazing way. The return of the Jews of the Roman the return of Jerusalem to the Jews in their homeland. This large course from the north of Israel marching toward her with the ally of Iran, who was only recently become an ally of Russia that you know that Russia recently signed a billion-dollar deal to some missiles and other weapons to Iran is over 1000 Iranian nuclear scientists that have been trained in Russia. Russian scientists, a recent news article that I just read said, quote the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister says Russia is determined to quote listed military technical ties with Iran." This was prophesied in the Bible. Why do these people hate Israel so much Islam hates the nation of Israel. But why will presidents of the president of Iran within the job is threatened repeatedly to wipe Israel off the face of the map in a speech he gave. A while back he said is it possible for us to witness a world without America, Zionism, referring to the Jews. But you would just know that that slogan goal are altogether attainable, and surely can be achieved that regime that is occupying Jerusalem is that city again must be wiped off the map why these threats and animosity toward Israel well documented job as a disciple of the Ayatollah Khomeini knew remember that the Ayatollah Khomeini was the one who wants a successful 1979 revolution driving out the Shah of Iran and turning Iran into a strict Muslim state in 2005 for dinner job was called before the UN Security Council to explain his continued determination to develop nuclear weapons.

He began his speech by declaring quote in the name of the God of mercy, compassion, peace, freedom and justice, and then he ended his speech with a prayer to Allah and I want to listen very carefully is as I pray. Speaking to Allah for you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the promised one, the pure and perfect human being the one who will fill this world with justice and keep the lasagna for dinner job. Speaking of this promised one, that if the promised one is what is referred to in his particular branch of Islam as the 12 team. The 12th demonic is effectively an Islamic Messiah and it is believed that this Messiah cannot appear until there is chaos so awkward dinner job fields by creating chaos and stirring up trouble threatening Israel threatening.

Even the United States can bring about the chaos that would bring this 12 team on this Islamic Messiah on the scene just recently, a top official with Iran's revolutionary force worn diagram will blow up the heart of Israel.

If the United States of the Jewish state attack at first. Should a single American or Zionist missile landed our country before the dust settles, Iranian missiles will blow up the hard of Israel.

No, actually, they won't. That's not the way it's going to play out server is going to play out the way God has said it will with the opportunity to attend a briefing recently by a top ranking general with the Israeli military, a close confidant of Pres. Benjamin Netanyahu and he told us of the current state of Israel, and how are the Israelis see these threats and here's what he said we take these threats very seriously. We don't think their empty threats and we will respond appropriately. Israel is same in so many words of do what needs to be done with or without the help of the United States to stop the spread and here's what I'm saying and understand this. This is very important. I am just describing for you.

What is happening in the headlines of today. Could this explode and culminate in the scenario we read about in Ezekiel 37 3039 yes it could well it that I don't know because we've seen things happen before that look like they could be the events. The Bible says will happen and then thing sort of maybe stop for a while in the mechanical back a little and then they re-erupt again. So we have to be very careful in interpreting the headlines today.

Here's what we do know a large force on the north abuser will attacker identified as Magog.

It will happen.

What I don't know why they're going to do it exactly when they're going to do it. If the scenario were witnessing right now will be the fulfillment of that.

But this much I know there's a lot going on that makes me realize this could happen at any time and when it happens is going to happen in rapid succession like dominoes closely stacked together running hitting the other. All these things will transpire. As it was very interesting. Greg, what is this mean to me actually a lot because check this out when Magog and her allies attacked Israel. God can intervene and he's can it decimate the Russian army and the armies of the allies as well. And because of this, the Jewish people are getting glory to God. Listen when you go to Israel today. You might be surprised to find that most Israelis are not believers in God. They many of them are atheistic but they have this determination to return to their homeland. They realize that we can look to no other nation for their protection or security and really led by the Lord. They have come back and fulfill this prophecy, but for the most part they don't believe in God and certainly you'll find very few Jewish people that believe in Jesus as the Messiah. There are something God but not all that many below the Holy Spirit is poured out upon Israel after he drives back the invading armies of Magog.

There will be a rogue Bible in Israel and many many many Jewish people will come to believe your shoe, she had Jesus is the Messiah see but this cannot happen. This outpouring of the Spirit on Israel until the full gathering of the Gentiles become in what does that mean but most of us are Gentiles listening to this message right now that means were not Jewish by birth.

Maybe some of us are, but most of us probably are not. We have been effectively grafted into the promises of Israel.

This is the time where God is working with the non-Jews.

The Gentiles at this time will come to a close and then the spirit will be poured out again on the land of Israel on the people of Israel on the Jewish people. But before that can happen God needs to wrap things up with us. Listen to this.

Romans 1125 pulses. I want you to understand this mystery dear friend, so you don't feel proud and start dragging some of the Jews of hard hearts with this will only last of the complete number of Gentiles come to Christ coming back to a point I raised earlier when that person finally believes in Jesus allows one the Lord is waiting for our work here is done and were outta here, caught up to meet the Lord in the rapture of the church so that means we see these events happen, we need to look up for our redemption is drawing near.

Let's shift gears and go over the first Thessalonians 416 is going different directions. Look for signs of the times been fulfilled. There is Morgan look at together in the next times together… Consider this event that I've referenced a few times. The rapture some people would say you know the word rapture is not in the Bible. Greg will be adventurous and the word is in the Bible. A few of the Latin translation because the word rapture is from the Latin word wrap tourist. That is the base for this phrase, it will generate about being caught after the event of us being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. If you prefer to use the term rapture or not is clearly taught in Scripture.

His first Thessalonians 416 to 17. The Lord himself will descend from heaven with the shop of the voice of an archangel with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first and then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we will always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words so is this event that we call the rapture spoken of elsewhere in Scripture.

Yes, it is Jesus in John 14 said in my father's house are many mansions are broken not so I would've told you.

I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again to receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be also. That phrase receive you means to take you by ports and then over in Matthew 24 verse 40 Jesus says two men will be in the field. One will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at a hand mill one will be taken of the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you don't know what our Lord is coming.

John adjusted as well. In verse 32 dear friends with the children of God that hasn't yet been revealed what we will be but we know when he appears, we will be like him for will CM as the assets Paul speaks of the same event of first Corinthians 1551 to 52 behold, I tell you one mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we will 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 incorruptible, and we will be changed.

Imagine this for a moment instantaneously globally thousands and thousands of believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The population of planet Earth is somewhere around 7 billion.

Not quite, but almost. Many of the 7 billion people live on this planet are followers of Jesus Christ. I have no idea. I read one a senses poll that said, there are 2.1 billion Christians on the face of the earth. I don't know if I believe that I think of that were the case, our world would be a different place and it is today politically conservative.

Let's cut that number in half and let's say there's one billion Christians on the face of the earth.

Let's even be more conservative and cut that number and have an say there's over 500 million Christians on the base of your 500 million 1 billion. Whatever the number is can you imagine that many people disappearing simultaneously from around the globe. You think it would have any impact on the way business is done. I'm telling you this to prepare the way for the antichrist. It makes perfect sense and next time I will point out to you why I believe very strongly that the antichrist cannot be revealed until the church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air and you can even see how the scene will be set for this coming world leader. Think about it for a moment, you would see the collapse of economies, governments and societies around the world. What a perfect moment for a man with economic solutions to a murder. Just this week in USA Today. I saw the headline quote weak dollar raises talk of an alternative world currency within the article went on to talk about the various alternatives to the American dollar around the world and none was really sufficient to take its place and so the article concluded by saying, but for now there is no attractive alternative to the dollar. All is that there's going to come an attractive alternative to the dollar is not a one world currency that's a one world government and it's a cashless society and its, and there is already technology in place to bring this about happening before our eyes. This is in science fiction, I'm not going on a limb saying these things here seen it happen before your very eyes.

Things that remind you of the Lord is coming, and here's another interesting thing. How can evil spread so rapidly as we see it happening in the tribulation.

Her cell by the removal of the restraining force that is in the world today called the church it's Christians that speak up for what is right and true for the most part in our culture today. It's Christians that are out there doing the good works to the hurting in the impoverished and the homeless and those were victims of various disasters.

It's Christians that try to live according to God's standards with the family and on and on a ghost in it were suddenly gone and are opposing voices no longer heard how easy this charismatic brilliance, orator, communicator with economic and military solutions emerge on the scene and deceived so many people now when Paul made the statement about the rapture to the believers of Thessalonica. There was some concern about their loved ones and it already gone on to have a seat that was a far more common occurrence to first century believers in perhaps it is to us today, at least in the United States. They lived with that they lived with the death of friends and family who are believers in Jesus wife because the church was persecuted because thousands and thousands of believers were martyred on the Roman just to put them to death for entertainment in the Coliseum blood sport watch the wild animals tear the Christians apart. Chill the Christian stop the Christian so many Christians were martyred in so many believers that already gone the government leave believers in Thessalonica were wondering what is this mean how does this work with our loved ones that are no longer with us. So Paul gives them these words in versus Linnaeus 413 I didn't want you to be ignorant brothers concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as those that have no whole group. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. And this, I say to you by the word of the Lord, that we were alive and remaining another coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep or you could just as easily translate that phrase asleep do that, but it is interesting that the Bible doesn't speak of believers as being dead.

It speaks of them as being asleep. The Bible is not in denial or just choosing a different word is see when you're a believer in Jesus, you never die by Jesus that I am the resurrection of the life he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live in this whoever believes in lives in me shall never die. Then he goes on to say you believe this, so here's the point death for the believers compared to sleep now. Funny thing, sleep, how you dread it when you're young and look forward to it. When your own. We were little granddaughter Stella who is three and she has to take a nap every day and she doesn't like it one bit.

So usually after lunch of her watching was it's time for your nap.

You know she fight Satan after Rita restoring that another story and another story and on it goes in. But here's one thing that Stella and grandpa have in common.

We both take naps one like that the other does not know my naps are not very long without her lunch all usually take a catnap lasting seven to maximum 10 minutes.

I don't lay in bed and do it. I just put my feet up on my desk and I close my eyes and I wake up refreshed little nap tells me Stella snaps her a little longer there a couple of our but she dreaded. I look forward to it, but either way you want to picture it now present is a beautiful picture really it speaks of someone who was a piece of the Bible is not suggesting when a believer dies they going to some kind of soul sleep or they're taking in eternal math that would appeal to some rather excusing that picture to describe a person who is a piece of reality is people in heaven are active.

The worshiping the Lord are serving the Lord. We talked about that in an earlier message but even when Stephen was being martyred for the faith, and he saw the Lord standing Jesus standing at the right hand of God. It says that he fell asleep so policy listen I want to guys to worry about this. Those who have fallen asleep those who've gone before you. You're gonna see him again. There's going to be a reunion you're all going to be together again and let me tell you something.

This becomes really pertinent when you have someone that you love and have it becomes very personal and you think about it more because when you have a loved one who is gone, you find yourself thinking about them through the day. You wonder what they're doing in a given moment you imagine seeing them again.

Sometimes you dream about them you dream about conversations you had, or would like to have had with them. There never far from your thoughts. So imagine this grieving friends you could be about your business. One day thinking about your departed loved one, then snuggling so quickly.

In fact, they can't be measured with time you are seeing them face-to-face mothers and fathers will be reunited with sons and daughters husband's will be reunited with wives and wives with husband's children with their parents, brothers with brothers and sisters, with sisters, friends with friends, your sorrow immediately vanishes, and it's replaced by ecstatic joy.

But not only are you reading reunited with your loved ones, but you're in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's what happens in the last still think about that. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Think about eternity. Think about the rapture to good thing to think about what happened the day although it's escapist yeah man, it's a great escape and am looking forward to it. I don't mind admitting it. CS Lewis said and I quote I continually looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do."

So let's consider briefly some effects of rapture will have on each of us number one.

The rapture means know that the rapture means know that there is a generation that will not see that they will go straight to the presence of God are we that generation. I don't know. Could we be the generation very possibly we need to be ready. Number two, the rapture's instantaneous's instantaneous first Corinthians 1551 says I tell you a mystery will not all sleep will all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an online it's been said that the twinkling of an eye is about 1000 of a second. That's fast now versus a second one, 1000. And it's a thousand of that what no I mean I can if I can measure that. Can you tell that's how fast the rapture judges, Lord, would you come from, how to what just so quickly so rapidly it could take place. You can even divide the human touch number three, the rapture is a transformation to transformation God's going to give you a brand-new resurrection body you that struggle with the effects of old age or disability or some other problem it's instantly gone age melts away disability disappears.

Sorrows are replaced by pure joy. Philippians 320 were citizens of heaven with the Lord Jesus lives were waiting for him to return as our Savior help take these weak moral bodies. The bars and change them in the glorious bodies like him using that same mighty power. He will use the conquer everything everywhere.

Number four.

The rapture will be a rescue operation, the rapture will be a rescue operation. First Thessalonians 110 were waiting for his son from heaven, whom he was raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come deliver means to rescue what is he delivering us from the wrath to come. What is under reference to the tribulation period lasting seven years, inaugurated by the emergence of antichrist.

So God is sending his special ops team of Michael and his angels to evacuate the church to get us out of here before the tribulation begins. Sometimes there is confusion about the second coming in the rapture. Some people think it's one event.

But the Bible is very clear.

And speaking of two events, the rapture will be a stealth event, the second coming of the Republic. One of the rapture becomes in the air. We meet the Lord in the air in the second coming, he returns to the earth the rapture he comes for his church and the second coming, he returns with his church and the rapture becomes before judgment.

In the second coming becomes with judgment were caught up to meet the Lord in the air. It can happen in any time okay so final cost of this effect is one of my supposed to do about this.

Well, I need to walk with God and there's a great example of this in closing in the life of amending Teaneck is almost like a prototype of the generation that will not see that, but we caught up to meet the Lord in the air unit sort of had what we might describe as a solo rapture to a very interesting little taxes along the Bible about unit. What is there is fascinating. We simply read these words in Genesis 524 and eNote walk with God and was not for God took him that praise God took him to be translated.

God translated Or carried over or carried him across Ina did not have to die like everybody else does the law one day didn't come all. Or maybe I should say took a walk and went home.

He started on one shore and ended up on another any sort of an example of how we are to live as a last days believer and you will you walk with God. So here's my question.

Do you are you walking with God. Notice it doesn't say Teaneck sprinted with God he walk with God see that that's my problem is I was always a good short distance printer. I was never a good long distance runner and so I always had a burst of energy, but then I would give our number.

I went out number of years ago on a road bike and I went with a bunch of people that write all the time and you know I was all full of vim and urine tests in the mall and in the you know and then I started running out of juice and by the time the trip was over with one of the guys had to push me on my bike is old Greg had run out of steam.

All I had those burst of energy and let them on my desk temporarily. A lot of people are like that you know that this burst of energy to follow. I love the Lord, the McKenna crash and burn in the get up again on the go Pro holiday crash and burn in. You know what just walk with God. Okay, just be regular, be consistent and stay at it every single day and be disciplined enough to maintain that relationship. Joaquin implies effort. It speaks of regularity. It speaks of doing something over and over member when your kids first learn to walk. Usually we don't remember when we first walked, but others will tell us about it. I member when our son Christopher took his first steps. I remember when our son Jonathan took his first steps Jonathan fellow law and always bumped his head in the same spot he had a bruise on top of the bruise is like a bruise the middle of the said and I think he has a bruise for the first two years of his life right there you know.

And finally he and I nailed it in his walk-through on the baton when our granddaughter Stella took the first steps I was over at Christopher and Britney's house and they were in the kitchen with my wife Kathy talking and I was playing with Stella and she's kind of laying around until he gets up on 1 foot and takes a step as I recall that the step that she doesn't that's a second step, then she did 1/3 energy fell. I said so I just walked no Isar.

I thought first I said she did it again for them. So I did see her take the first step like that way when we first started out in a relationship with Christ. You know, we take our first and then we trip away following hit her head on the table. You know to love again.

Children don't give up, nor should you keep walking. Stay with it.

Be consistent in your relationship with Jesus Christ over and over again.

The Bible uses the control walking to describe the Christian life. Colossians 26 is as you received Christ walking him.

Galatians 5 says walk in the spirit and he will fulfill the lust of the flash and Ephesians 5 says walk in love and then finally in first John we read if you walk in the light as he is in the life your fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses you from all sin.

Listen, Jesus Christ is coming back. It could happen and anything can happen this year. They can happen this month. They could happen this week. Make it happen today.

Just could have. You would just be going about your business without really any warning, you would be caught up in the presence of the Lord, and I hope it happens I would love it to half hour for the generation case Cleveland abroad. We are the generation I know one way or another I'm getting to heaven I don't know what form of transportation Godzilla utilize might be death that might be rapture, but one thing is certain. I'm going to get there and if you put your faith in Christ you will to let me ask you, in closing, are you sure right now if Jesus Christ were to come back.

You would be ready to meet you, we read that verse that says one will be taken and the other love which you will be taken they have and would you be left on earth. Yes, some people will be left to the ones that do not believe in Jesus but will be taken wanted to believe in Jesus to you.

Do you have the confidence and certainty right now that if you were to die, you would go to heaven if not, let's get that resolved. Right now, before you leave today in a moment I want to give you an opportunity to ask God to forgive you of your sin and opportunity for you to put your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord an opportunity to be certain that you will be ready for the Lord's return. So let me appeal to you that are not certain. Respond now, let me also appeal to you who maybe are trying to live in two worlds. You know you're doing things you know you should not be doing though you profess to be a Christian. It's time to repent of that and it's time to start walking with God. Time is short. Jesus is coming is a little bumper sticker said get right or get left but spray father I pray now that you will speak to every person listening to this message. Hoping to see the words we shared today are true and you are coming and help them to get ready to meet you. We ask this in your name on the heads of God. Her eyes are closed or praying together. If you're not sure of Jesus Christ is in your life if you don't have the confidence that your sin is forgiven. You don't know with certainty that you're ready for his return, but you want to be.

I want to just lift your hand up right now if you want Jesus Christ to come in your life if you want your sin forgiven, if you want to know that when you die you will go to heaven lift your hand up and I'm in a pray for solicitor pregnancy accomplish you up in the balcony or in the middle. God bless each one of you what else you want this forgiveness today. You want to get right with God, lift your hand up a pray for you compass you have it up on the balcony.

There you want to be ready for the Lord's return lift your hand accomplish their publisher. Anybody else accomplish if you're out in the amphitheater. Right now I can't see you there.

But you raise your hand up as a step of faith even you watching in the court, you can raise your hand to. God bless all of you, though I can't see you. The Lord tests. Lord I thank you for each one of these that have taken this little step of faith to follow.

You know, I pray you give them the strength to stand up really commit your life to you this day.

We pray in Jesus name, amen