Jesus is coming soon, are you saved?

We have all behaved in ways we’d rather forget. We have ignored work deadlines, and class assignments, and paid every bill on time. We have disobeyed our parents and ignored repeated warnings from authority figures. Some have strayed from their spouse, either in their thought life or through covert action. Many of us have looked left and right, to ensure the coast was clear of traffic and of course police cars before hurrying through that yellow light.  We haven’t done all of these things, but we’ve all done some of them. No one has a clean record in all areas of life.

We can beat the odds and seemingly get away with doing wrong for a while, but before too long….the consequences of disobedience will catch up with us. Thinking of the scenarios mentioned earlier:  Your boss will eventually ask you for results to justify your wages. Creditors will want to be paid in full for the money you’ve borrowed. Dad or mom will get home and deal with misbehavior. Your professor will demand your paper is turned in on its due date. Your spouse may or may not find you out now, but the truth will surface one day. In all likelihood, the red & blue lights will shine and the siren will sound as you speed through the yellow light only to receive a hefty fine.

Reading these scenarios will cause some readers to give pause and consider their actions. Others may feel like they always beat the system and get away with it. Still, we may feel remorse, regrets, guilt, and even deep sorrow. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how we feel, it only matters how we’ve dealt with a lifetime of wrongdoing. One day, we will all be judged for our thoughts, actions, and motives before a holy God. How will you deal with this now, in light of the fact that Jesus is coming soon. The only question that will matter then is: Are you saved? Romans 14:11   

I am one among many thousands of Bible teachers, Evangelists, and other Christians who believe we are in the time just prior to the Lord’s return. Scores of events are happening geopolitically, economically, and culturally that point to His soon return. Prophecy is being fulfilled. One look around the world, especially in the Middle East, should tell you that this world is on the brink. Many countries are on the verge of an economic collapse which could lead to a global economic meltdown. Culturally there are almost no boundaries. So-called “same-sex marriage” is now the law of the land in many places. Pornography and human trafficking are rampant. The abortion industrial complex is murdering thousands with the help of our tax dollars. Russia, China, and Iran are arming to the teeth all while forming alliances that look more like the pages of Ezekiel and Revelation than the evening news. Moreover, Iran is perhaps just a few months or years from acquiring a nuclear weapon, one they will certainly use on Israel given the chance. Why am I giving you a 10,000 ft. view of world events? It’s because I want to drive the point home that Jesus is coming soon.

There are two issues that every human must come to terms with: One is the fact of the Lord’s soon return. The second is that we aren’t guaranteed the next year, month, day, or hour. None of us know when our life may end, that’s up to God. The only thing we can be certain of is our eternal home….either with God in heaven or away from His presence in hell forever. Many people, especially younger ones feel like they will live forever. But the Bible makes it clear that death can be sudden and unexpected. Do you recall the well-known story of the rich man? Jesus tells us the story in Luke 12:17   

Don’t think you can live your life the way you want to and then make things right with God when you are old or on your deathbed. This isn’t a warning about being rich, but rather a warning about Idolatry. We elevate many things above God in our life: Money, entertainment, houses, careers, people, sex, achievements, etc…..but God demands your whole heart. The parable Jesus told above is His warning against apathy regarding eternity.

Friend, consider who God is and how much trouble you are if you don’t know His Son as your Savior. The Bible says these things about God:  He dwells in unapproachable light. He is an all-consuming fire. He (God) is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. Here’s a description of who will and will enter heaven in Revelation 21:27

In the following verses, here’s what the Bible says about the condition of our sick, vile, evil, wretched heart without Jesus: Romans 1:18, Romans 1:21, and Romans 3:10

Don’t bank your eternity on these popular misconceptions about going to heaven:

“My mom & dad are Christians so I’ll go to heaven.”  “My aunt prayed for me and I had a good feeling.”  “I went forward & signed a card in church.”  “I just believe my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds.”  “My (god) would never send anyone to hell.”   “Jesus is all love and he knows me.”   “I’m a church member.”   “I live my life better than most people.”  “I don’t believe in the God of the Bible…I follow a different (god).

The list of popular misconceptions about going to heaven is unending.  All of these notions are false and eternally tragic.

You can’t feel sorry enough, guilty enough, or experience enough remorse to get into heaven. Many people have died with a conscience weighed down with sorrow and regret for a lifetime full of no one else but themselves. They have ignored the repeated pleas to trust Jesus as their Savior. They ignored these pleas day, after week, after month, after year, and they thumbed their nose at the precious gift God gave, His Son. There is only one kind of sorrow that leads to repentance: 2 Corinthians 7:10   

You cannot rely on someone else’s salvation to get you to heaven. You can’t rely on a gut feeling or religious experience to get you into heaven. Being a church, choir, or youth group, member won’t guarantee a place in heaven. Your kindness and good deeds are like “filthy rags” as God says in Isaiah 64:6   No, not even a lifetime of volunteering and good deeds will get you to God in heaven. You can’t say enough “Hail Marys” go to enough confessionals, or spend enough time in purgatory to earn your salvation. You can ignore the one true God and rely on your ‘inner god or goddess’  you will never see paradise.

If you are a Muslim and are searching for truth and eternity in heaven…..you won’t find it in the Qur’an, because Sura 17:111 says: God has (no) son. The Koran mentions Jesus as a messenger and a prophet, but the truth is, He is Lord. Don’t you think it’s wise to read what Jesus said about himself, in His own words? If you are a Muslim or anyone who hasn’t come to Jesus for salvation, I plead with you to consider the words of Jesus.

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Matthew 11:27  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

John 11:25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? ”She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Take Jesus at his word. Pray to him and ask him to open your heart. He said he is standing at the door and knocking to come inside. Revelation 3:20  

If you confess your sins, he is faithful to forgive you. Maybe you might say:  “Howard, you don’t know what I’ve done, all sorts of evil and filth.” To that I say: Matthew was a swindler and former tax collector, Paul, a persecutor of the church, and countless others with sorted pasts at best including myself, have come to faith in Jesus. I don’t care what you have done. If you confess your sins with a contrite heart, he will hear. Repent means to turn 180′ from your sin. Jesus would have you “Go and sin no more.” Believe God raised him from the dead. Confess him as your Lord and you will be saved.

People who have repented of their sins confessed Jesus as their Lord, and believe God raised Him from the dead, are Christians. Every sinful act they ever committed is wiped clean because they put their trust in Jesus for salvation. When God, the righteous judge sees a Christian now and for eternity, the ruling is always:  Not Guilty!

How is this possible you ask? Jesus was beaten, nailed to a cross, and spilled his innocent blood for our sins. The price he paid on the cross was for your sins and mine…..all of them! Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment God recognizes to cover sins. Pray to Jesus, confess your sins, repent, and trust him as your Savior. This takes God’s grace through faith, if you seek the Lord with your whole heart, you will be saved.

Ephesians 2:8   For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Life is short and no one is guaranteed another day to live. The world is poised to come under the righteous judgment of a holy God. The Bible says: Today is the day of salvation.

The decisions you make about Jesus today will affect eternity. Thousands of years from now, the only decision that will matter is what you do about Jesus. Decide to make him your Lord or ignore him…but you must choose one. Jesus is coming soon, are you saved?

Please let us know if you have decided to trust Jesus as your Savior and your Lord. You may contact us here if you have any questions about your new walk with Jesus, need access to a Bible, or prayer.

All for Him,

Howard

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