Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Fearful (08/23/07)
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TITLE: Poof All Gone | Previous Challenge Entry
By Virginia Gorg
08/29/07 -
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“I am fearful for our family,” my sister said to me the other day. We were sitting in her living room. The hardwood floor gleamed in the setting sun.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“When time as we know it ends, there will be only seven years left and then, poof, all gone, and eternity begins.”
“You mean the end times? When Christ calls His people home? I didn’t think you cared.”
“I never did before. But for some reason, I picked up this book” – she held up a Bible – “and started reading it last week. You know that I always read the last chapter first to see if a book is worth reading. I’ve read Revelation six times now, and it scares me.”
“If you are right with Christ, it should bring you a level of comfort.”
“Well, for me, it does. But I’m scared for our family. They must hear the message.”
“You told me, not that long ago, that I talk too much about Jesus and church. Why the change?”
Gloria walked over to the window. “Look at that setting sun. It’s bright orange and never changes. Yet Revelation says that a third of the sun, moon, and stars will fall away. I don’t want us to be here –I want us all to be in Heaven.”
We were silent for a bit. My mind fluctuated between praising God for my sister’s softening heart and wondering what I should say next. As I struggled a bit with my thoughts, I felt the Spirit speak to my heart. I realized how to proceed.
“What do you suggest we do?” I asked.
She spun around. “Sit them all down and tell them the truth. Don’t let them turn away. I know they won’t listen – I used to be like that.”
“You’re right, of course. Perhaps coming from you will make them hear us. How about Sunday when we are all at Mom’s for dinner?”
“Perfect. Let’s plan what to say.”
The next hour was spent poring over the Bible and picking out key verses that we could share.
“Everyone knows John 3:16 because it’s said so often. Why don’t we explain it to them?”
Gloria nodded, “good, you do that. I’m not sure I can explain it well enough. What will you say?”
“I’ll explain it word by word. I’ll tell them who God is and talk about His great unending love for us. I’ll explain that He willingly gave His Own Son, Jesus, to come to earth for three and a half years. Jesus left Heaven and all the honor and praise and came to this place, just to be with us. Then I’ll tell them that God wants none to perish and that whoever believes in Jesus can be saved for all eternity. What will you say?”
“Hmm, I think I’ll start here in Revelation Three. Listen to this: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
My sister paused, then continued, “If I’m correct in understanding this, God is giving us one last chance to repent and get right with Him. If we don’t care enough, He will come at any time, and we will be left alone forever. Then later in Revelation I read about the lake of burning sulfur – that’s not where I want to be. Do you think if we explain that it’s all real, that maybe, just maybe, they will listen?”
“They might listen, but they also need to hear. Remember what Jesus says in Revelation – He who has an ear, let him hear. Let’s pray that they will hear and not just listen.”
As I prepared to head home, Gloria asked one final question. “So we pray and read the Bible. What else can we do to be ready for Sunday?”
“Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and remember the line about the sword of the Spirit being the word of God. Take it to heart – wear the armor and keep it firmly buckled in place. Above all, pray, and pray, and pray.”
My sister hugged me and said, “Thanks. I can’t wait for Sunday.”
“Let God’s will be done.”
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Fantastic job.