“A TREMENDOUS SERIES OF BOOKS RECENTLY HAS BEEN ON THE BEST SELLER LISTS OF AMERICAN READERS. IT WAS TITLED ‘LEFT BEHIND.' ALTHOUGH IT IS FICTION WRITING, IT WARNED OF THE TRUE DANGER OF BEING LEFT BEHIND. TODAY I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU, SOME OF THE TERRIBLE RESULTS.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about your future, positive and negative as predicted in the Bible, so don’t go away…

… Well, today I'm going to venture into the field of prophecy, which is looking into the future as predicted by the most reliable source – the Word of God. When one does this in our 21^st century, all will find many fantastic promises that can thrill the heart. Yet, one can also find many curses that will fall upon a multitude of people and bring their doom. The idea of course is to find those positive promises and partake of them, so as to avoid all the negative promises that await those who pass the positive ones by. But first let’s listen to our opening moment of music, then I’ll return with today’s message: WILL YOU BE LEFT BEHIND? …

… One of the most compelling and often misunderstood events in human history is still in our future. Is that a puzzling statement? The answer is no, because this “event” is prophesied in the most reliable book mankind has in its possession – the Holy Bible, the Word of God.  The event in question is called the “Rapture” of the Church. This is a future event or time when the very last believer in Jesus Christ has been taken from the earth by a dramatic removal by Jesus Christ Himself.  Now admittedly, not everyone believes in this “Rapture” event, nor the timing of it.

Among believers in Jesus Christ, there is considerable disagreement as to when it will occur, how extensive it will be, and whether or not it will happen at all!

However, to put your heart at ease, I believe the Bible teaches very clearly, all you need to know about it, so you can make an intelligent decision whether or not to be a part of it should you be living when it occurs. To do that, you need to know what it is, and what happens to those who will be left behind and not experience this biblical event. But first another moment of music then I’ll return with -- WILL YOU BE LEFT BEHIND? …

… Let’s begin with one of the most telling passages of Scripture that describe a future event for our world, called the Rapture of the Church. We’ll read our text now found in,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT)  And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. 15 I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. 18 So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

Indeed, there is coming a time when all who have believed in and trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and God, whether dead or alive, will be reunited one with another, and most glorious of all, they will be given brand new everlasting  and perfect bodies to live on forever and ever in the presence of our Triune God. Now that’s a long sentence but nonetheless -- GOOD NEWS! However, skeptics are always pointing out that they simply don’t believe it.

Yet here it is in the Bible, and notice that it is a signless event. This means nothing has to happen before it occurs and as such it will come without warning! Today there are many fools who try to predict the timing of this event, but the Bible warns us in advance God has not given this information to any human being of any age. So the next time someone comes along predicting “when” the Rapture will occur, watch out, they are not representing the one true God and His Word.

Now is there any other passage of Scripture that gives us more light on this future event that will come as a “thief in the night?” The answer is yes! It is found in the last Book of the Bible, known as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Here we read,

Rev 4:1 (NIV)  After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

Many believe that expression “Come up here,” is the shout of 1 Thess 4:16 which calls all living believers home to heaven, to be reunited with believing loved ones gone before them. The reason this is believed is, because from that point on in the book of Revelation, the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth is heard of no more as an earthly institution.

But now the great question. Once this supposed “Rapture of the Church” occurs, what’s next for those who will be -- left behind? Well let’s first qualify who will be left behind. This is important, for the Bible makes this clear too. Jesus Himself had something to say about that. He said,

John 11:25-26 (NIV)  Jesus said…, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

John 14:1-3 (NIV)  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 8:24 (NIV) “…  if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

These and many, many more Scripture tell us that in order to be qualified for Heaven, to receive Eternal Life, and the full and forever forgiveness of all your sins past present and future – one must fully embrace the infinite God-man Jesus Christ, by believing that our sin debt and payment owed to God is paid in full by Jesus Christ’s death on that cross long ago.

In addition, by this faith, one turns over the rulership of your life to your Creator and Sustainer, God the Son, Jesus Christ. Now it is clear, very clear in Scripture, that part from this firm confession and life changing experience – no one will be qualified to be a part of the Rapture of the Church on that day!

Does this mean all those good people who work hard at doing good, being good, and all those people who have their own religions and ways of worship are excluded? The answer shockingly is yes! For the Bible also makes this clear. Listen as I read,

Acts 4:12 (NIV)  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Although the way to God is very narrow in human terms, it is wide open for all who will come. In fact my friend, the word “come” is one of God’s most favorite words! He invites everyone to His kingdom and His abode. He is willing to pass by none who come to Him with a contrite heart seeking God’s forgiveness and willingly honoring his Son Jesus Christ as His representative for eternity. However, the other sad truth is with God’s great invitation, offered freely without price to all mankind – multitudes, in fact the vast majority of the human race says “NO!” For this God deeply weeps,

Mat 22:3 (NIV)  He [God] sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet [Heaven] to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

Ezek 18:31-32 (NIV)  Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die…? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Mat 23:37-39 (NIV)  "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I [God the Son] have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Yes, from Old Testament days to the New, God weeps over the impenitent hearts of the vast majority of mankind which rejects Him and His ways; yet, He honors their desire for self to be on the throne of their lives -- But God warns all, of the terrible penalty coming for it.

That penalty in the end times we call – LEFT BEHIND!

Now as time is of the essence in radio broadcasting, let me just outline for you the events that will happen in the lives of those who will be “left behind” following the Rapture of the Church.

EVENTS ON EARTH FOLLOWING THE RAPTURE

1. Worldwide chaos and death will immediately occur 
   – You see when the Rapture comes, in an instant all who are believers in Jesus Christ will vanish from the earth, snatched away by God. All that will be left is their clothes lying in a heap. But think now -- many Christians are involved in serving their world. Some are bus drivers, airplane pilots, surgeons, and others operating critical equipment for the safety of the masses. If they are instantly gone, everything they were doing will instantly turn to chaos. It is therefore not unreasonable to think planes will fall out of the sky, busses and cars will crash head on with others, and patients in operating rooms will die as the doctors suddenly disappear at critical moments of service. This will happen all over the world! But even after that, those who will be ‘left behind,’ if they have not been killed instantly will experience,

2. ALL INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN WILL DISAPPEAR!
   – Think of the shock as mother’s babies and their small children, you have not reached the mental age of accountability will simply disappear as if a thief snatched them away! Imagine the howling and weeping to see your little loved ones gone forever from your care and love. Furthermore,

3. ALL BELIEVING SPOUSES, CHILDREN AND FRIENDS WILL BE GONE IN AN INSTANT
   – No longer will your loving Christian spouse be with you. No longer will your older Christian children who were believers, ever again be by your side, nor will you hear their loving voice or experience their loving care again. You who are ‘left behind,’ will mourn deeply their loss! But alas, it will be too late to get them back or possibly ever see them again. One more thing will occur,

4. GOD WILL BEGIN A SEVEN YEAR PROCESS OF PUNISHING THE UNREPENTANT LOST AND GIVING THEM THE SINFUL DESIRES OF THEIR HEART
   – The Bible tells in great detail that through a series of heavenly judgments that will fall on the earth, great devastation and death will sweep the planet causing millions left behind to suffer and die, and still others to suffer but not be able to die. In addition, the governments of the earth will be condensed into a one world order ruled by none other than Satan himself through his puppet king the Antichrist. His blood thirsty lust for power and kingship will bring all who are left behind to their knees in worship and servitude. None will escape. Then,

5. AT THE END OF THIS SEVEN YEAR PERIOD CHRIST WILL RETURN TO CAST INTO HELL, FOREVER, ALL THOSE LEFT BEHIND
   – Yes, the Bible warns and promises, God’s punishments do not stop on the earth. When Jesus Christ returns, He will cleanse the earth of all who refused His offer of grace and mercy, and cast them into Hell and after that the eternal forever Lake of Fire where they will live on and suffer for eternity. How ghastly this is…

Now I realize that all this sounds almost impossible, and nothing more than scare tactics. But I assure it is not. Read your Bible. Do you know that every single prophecy predicted in the past which has come true, did so in absolute literalness predicted? There has been no fulfilled prophecy that has not been fulfilled outside of what it literally predicted. In fact, there has been no prophecy that reached it time of fulfillment that has failed either! So it is not improbable to expect the same for what lies ahead in these biblical predictions.

Now I want to answer one more important thing. I’ve talked to folks who say to me in light of these things – “Well if and when this “Rapture of the Church” occurs, then I will believe and be saved from all these terrible things to fall on those left behind.” Well in response to that, I have told them of two options God promises to you who will be left behind...

PROMISES FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND

IF YOU HAVE SUFFICIENTLY HEARD THE GOSPEL AND REJECTED IT BEFORE THE RAPTURE; AFTER IT, YOU WILL BE SEALED IN YOUR UNBELIEF!  

Yes, the Bible seems to intimate this truth. Those who have repeatedly rejected Christ and the appeal of the gospel in this life, before the Rapture, will not have a second chance! Like Pharaoh of old, God will harden your heart and you will perish with it for all eternity, and even if you wanted to repent you will be unable! The Bible says,

2 Th 2:9-12 (NIV)  The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

I personally think it is clear. There will be no mercy for those who have had great light of God’s Word and love revealed to them and they reject it. This is why the Bible warns, “Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time.” So don’t delay, for another chance may never come to you. But then there is a second possibility and that is,

THOSE WHO REPENT AND BELIEVE, FOLLOWING THE RAPTURE, WILL BE BRUTALLY KILLED AND MARTYRED FOR THEIR FAITH

Yes, if God does grant you the ability to believe following the Rapture, you will pay a price for it. During the seven-year Tribulation, all who will not receive the mark of the beast will be killed by beheading. How gruesome!  

Well these are the terms God gives for sinners. I don’t know about you, but any level headed intelligent human being, who thinks through all these things, would willingly take the first alternative now available to us. Yes herein is GOOD NEWS -- God is granting amnesty to all sinners, if they will turn to Jesus Christ with a heart of love and thankfulness for His mercy and grace. All who do, can be assured of the great promises of God to come. I for one await the unannounced return of Christ for His Church, and I work to honor Him while I wait. It is not a life or service of “duty” but of genuine love. It brings me a life of satisfaction, joy, contentment, and most of all assurance to know whatever happens to me in this life, I will live on forever in the presence of God and to enjoy Him for all eternity. Now that’s a good deal because all I have to do to receive his blessings and promises is LOVE JESUS CHRIST with all my heart soul and mind. Say friend how about you? Isn’t it time you turned to Christ before it is too late? Or are you going to go on and receive all those curses that will fall on the unrepentant? Well the truth is -- your decision now, determines your destiny in eternity. Make a decision now to surrender your heart to Christ. You’ll never regret it.

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… Well friends another broadcast message has been given to you from the Word of God by this speaker Dennis Finnan. Thanks for hearing me out.  Now next week is an historic occasion for us. It marks the 1,300^th broadcast on the radio as we celebrate 25 years of God’s faithfulness which has enabled me as your speaker to preach the Good News gospel to all the world. I plan to share with you the story of this radio program and my personal testimony. Don’t miss it.

As I sign off, my prayer always for you is that the Lord will richly bless and keep you, and that the Lord willing the Rapture doesn’t occur or God calls me home, I’ll be here to talk with you again. Thanks always for being my friend, this is Dennis Finnan signing off by saying “good bye” for now, and God bless you!