Question Of all the questions asked about the second coming of Christ what is the most important one of all? Answer The most important question ever asked by anyone at anytime throughout history is the question asked by the Phillipian jailer to the Apostle Paul in Acts 16:30, Sirs, what must I do to be saved. Pauls answer is also the single most important answer in the world. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31 Instead of seeing the rapture as the great escape hatch in the sky by which we will be instantly pulled to safety during the coming troubles, we must recognize that our faith in Christ is the way out, and nothing else. Jesus has made us invincible in a manner of speaking. He has said if were dead were yet living, and if were living, we cant die. John 11:25-26. This being so, the antichrist can only affect the place of our abode but never the eternal life that has been granted to us through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Question What is the doctrine of the second chance and where did it come from? Answer The doctrine of the second of the second chance is not really a doctrine at all it is just good common sense. It is based on the idea that a full knowledge of second coming events will prepare those who dont now believe to see how they can save their own souls when no one is left to tell them how. Its origination is from the Bible but is seldom noticed by even the most well versed Christians. I have never heard anyone even mention this most important aspect of the second coming, much less preach or write about it. I would be negligent and remiss if I failed to emphasize this to virtually anyone who will listen. How it seems to have escaped people is beyond comprehension. It would seem that as we approach the fulfillment of the Second Advent, that every believer the world over would be keenly aware of this important part of the Bible message. I can only surmise that we must be overly involved with our own welfare and our own responses to the ensuing events. It is almost an attitude of, we made it out of here, so who cares what happens next. Caring like God cares covers what Gods caring covers, and that is all men, at all times, past present and future. Practically everyone has heard a story at some time of a praying mother or father who died without seeing their children come to the Lord. Sometimes decades after they have gone their child or children will turn their lives over to the grace of God. They will in many cases attribute their salvation to the persistent prayers and constant speaking of the faith that their parents made. The witness of a loving mother may lay dormant in some childs heart until they reach their extreme in life and are nearly broken, or conversely when in some quiet moment they reconsider the words that were so carefully implanted in their conscience. The Mothers presence is not at all necessary. I am no more certain of when the rapture or the catching away will be than I am about the way the wind will blow tomorrow. But God has given me a clear picture of the nature and intensity of the events in the near future. By telling an unbelieving person all I can about Christs return I am providing them with knowledge by which to identify the various events as they unfold. If the rapture has occurred, what I took the time to tell them of the ensuing events will be the only viable witness they will have to refer to, in the troubled times ahead. But being told does leave them a witness, an explanation a chance. Perhaps they may have to lay down their lives to retain it, but what a horrible tragedy if they couldnt see it coming at all. I cant help but think that our nonchalant attitude about second coming wouldnt make us somewhat culpable if anyone we had spoken to werent given this precious second chance to make their move toward God. It makes little difference whether the pre-tribulationists are correct or some other view because someone will still be alive and making life changing decisions even seconds after we are removed. To give them aide in making the right decision is important before or after we are gone. I can imagine someone saying, Hey, this man ruling in Europe is doing some of the things I was told about by my friend before he left. If your words remain then you remain, the result is the same, the saving of a precious soul. The more studied and balanced we are about the second coming of Christ the greater chance we have of providing others with a second chance. As the events unfold it has become more important than ever in history to choose solid teachers and sound teachings on this vital subject. It is becoming more of a responsibility than a mere side interest or something to otherwise intrigue the casual buff. The clearer message we leave behind the greater chance to add precious jewels to our crowns, even retroactively. |
