Will You Do What Jesus Says?

I have a very easy question for everyone today.

Will you do what Jesus says?

Of course! Right? Ok, then how many of us are truly following his clear command found in Luke 21:36 to "pray that you are counted worthy to escape all the things to come" on a daily basis?

Why is this vitally important to us in these last days?

Well, if we believe that there is an "escape" in our near future then we will pray that we are worthy enough to be a part of us just as we're instructed to do in the above mentioned verse. If we don't believe that there is an "escape" in our near future then we will not pray this prayer, and fail to follow Jesus' instruction.

Hebrews 11:6 - - "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

A part of me grieves for what this world is going to go through. I believe the Lord when He says that there is an "escape," and I believe that this "escape" is referring to the coming Rapture (because the Luke 21:36 verse is part of the response to the question in Luke 21:7), and I pray that I and you may be counted worthy of it, but many won't.

I tremble and I am very sobered by the thought of how many won't make it because they don't believe an "escape" is in out future, or they don't believe that this "escape" referenced here is talking about the coming Rapture. This isn't a game, it's the Word of God we're talking about here. It's ok to admit when we're wrong about something, and I've said over and over again that I have always maintained that approach and will continue to do so on this particular subject. Yet, what do I need to "apologize" for when I'm only writing about what the Scriptures say?

"As in the days of Noah..."

Ok, what were the days of Noah/Lot like? Fortunately, we have an abundance of information in the Bible that gives us many important clues. Most importantly, we have the accounts of their individual "escapes" so why is it wrong to apply that knowledge to our own coming situation when Jesus PLAINLY told us that our time would be EXACTLY like their time?

I see it as an open-and-shut case. Why doesn't everyone? I see that many of you have chimed in on the Comments Section of these commentaries, and I just want to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this. In case you're wondering, it's very rare for me to respond as is beyond a line or two (even though I try to get to all of them), so please don't take it too personally if I don't address your comment(s) directly. At the same time, in all honesty, I probably wouldn't be engaging in a comment thread on this series.

Why? Because, personally, I feel I've made my case. I know what I believe. I'm not trying to change anyone's particular view either. This is about me sharing with all of you my own personal journey and struggle sorting out what I believe as I report back to you my findings from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. That's it. No agenda here whatsoever. You can agree with me, or you can agree to disagree with me if you'd like. The choice is yours.

As far as "debating" or "using Scripture to support my position" I have to say I'm a little confused. Isn't that what I've attempted to do and have done in this series? I write a comment, and point directly to the passage of Scripture that led me to that conclusion. To suggest I have been dishonest or am "hiding" from a Scriptural discussion seems like splitting hairs to me.

Lastly, my praise of "Brother D" (whomever he is) is not a case of me holding one man's interpretation higher than what God's Word says. My mention of him throughout this series has been to solely be a professional and give him credit where credit is due since a majority of what I included here in this series has come from his hands. In addition, what's wrong with saying I found a Brother in Christ who has been able to coherently explain all the things I've been thinking myself after reading the Bible myself? We reached the SAME CONCLUSIONS ON OUR OWN, which I believe is testimony in and of itself, but that's a discussion for another day.

Without the grace and patience of our God, I know that I myself would be one of the many who will miss the coming escape. Again, it's NOT A SALVATION ISSUE at all. When I wrote about people "missing the escape" I'm not suggesting I believe they will not end up in Heaven; not at all. No, I'm merely stating that I believe that what a Christian believes about this "escape" will determine whether or not they get to Heaven sooner or later than some.

My heart is in the house of mourning these days, although I expect to be rejoicing on a day coming soon. Today, so far, its been a "pre-Flood" day. Today, some "virgins" are "filling jars with oil to take out and wait for the bridegroom," while other virgins play with the world and mess around until the last second, taking no thought for preparing while they still can.

MARANATHA!!!