Are You Rapture Ready?

I recently came across this quote and had to just stop for a few minutes and allow its truthfulness to sink in: “A hypocrite is a fellow who isn’t himself on Sunday.” As I thought it over, my mind wandered to all the sea of faces I’ve seen over the years in the many churches I have had the opportunity to sit in on, preach at and some to even pastor. I recall how I often wondered how many of those people would’ve rather been a thousand other places than in that worship service and how many of them even gave the service any thought whatsoever. 

These thoughts are sobering when we consider how many Americans attend a worship service every Sunday and yet walk out an hour later having gained absolutely nothing from that service. The majority of these same people, if asked about their eternal destination, would answer they are headed to heaven. So many people occupying a pew in churches across America will still be sitting in that same pew following the rapture. Many will understand the rapture happened but be shocked that they are still here.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:5 about these kind of people. He referred to them as “Having a form of godliness, but denying its power….” They have placed their eternal hope in a specific church or in membership in a church or upon their being a Sunday School teacher or even a pastor. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). The power of eternal salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. A church, a position, any other god will leave you without hope.

In addition, being baptized, confirmed, taking communion regularly, reading the Bible consistently or any other practice will also leave you without hope. On the day of final judgment, Jesus says these individuals will hear these words from His throne, “I never knew you; depart from me” (Matthew 7:23). These people have a form of godliness, but they don’t have true godliness because they don’t know God. They don’t experience His power. They don’t allow Him to transform their lives.

What about you today? Do you know God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you enjoy an intimate relationship with Him? If not, trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today and receive the final prize of eternal life.