HEAVEN DEMANDS A LIFE OF SACRIFICE.
"Gather my saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by SACRIFICE" - Psalms 50:5
Soon, there shall be a gathering. It's called RAPTURE! This is a word so many in the Church don't want to hear, more so as men have chosen to settle themselves here on earth. Many Pastors are afraid to teach or preach about Rapture because they also, like their erring members, are caught in the web of worldliness!
But come to think of it: Rapture is originally meant to serve as comfort to the church. Apostle Paul, addressing the Thessalonians in 1 Thess 4:13-18, on this subject, told them "to comfort themselves with these words" (verse 18). The problem with us today is that we all want to go to heaven but through the back door, not by God's standards! Any so-called child of God who does not "love His appearing" (2Tim 4:8), but is rather afraid of that day, should repent right away before it becomes too late. Such an one is no doubt caught up with the strings of worldliness and earthly lusts that war against the soul. In simple language, the moment you begin to view Rapture with fear, it's a sign of apostasy that demands your urgent repentance!
Make no mistake about this: Rapture is the very next item on God's agenda for mankind. From the passage cited (Ps 50:5), there shall be a gathering of saints unto God. Make no mistake about this also: 'all are not saints who seem to be so; a severance must be made'! But for now, the Lord is satisfied to "... let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, GATHER ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but GATHER the wheat into My barn" (Matt 13:30). Therefore, let all who profess to be saints know that the qualification for being gathered unto JEHOVAH GOD is having made a "covenant with Me by sacrifice". This is the grand test which some have dared to imitate. You MUST GENUINELY accept Jesus, the great propitiatory Sacrifice as your Lord and Saviour. It does not stop there! So many think it does! You thereafter proceed to live for Him daily. It involves carrying your Cross daily, not allowing the fiery darts from satan to stop or discourage you and hoping to the end for the salvation that shall be revealed. This is the Bible's way to Salvation: no more, no less; no shortcut to it, no back door into it! Heaven is not a place for formalists who shall learn with regrets that worldliness has been their bane. This shall not be our portion, in Jesus mighty name.
PRAYER
Dearest Heavenly Father, at the gathering unto you of your saints, may I be found in the number, in Jesus name.