THE AGONY AND REGRET OF THE UNRAPTURED ONES
ON EARTH ON CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
BY PASTOR (Dr.) PAUL OBADARE
Text: Matthew 24:15-31; Daniel 12:1-2
As the topic clearly suggests, we already know that anyone who is not raptured will have no choice but to experience regret and agonize in terrible pains of the atrocities that the antichrist will reign on them for a period of time. The bible calls this regret and agony time the tribulation period. Life will be made difficult and unbearable for the people who remain on earth at this time.
Tribulation means affliction, trouble, discomfort and distress. May you not be part of it in Jesus name. But in order to avoid this period of agony, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now.
Believers in Christ will not participate The reason why we believe that Christians will not be part of this terrible period is the affirmation given in Revelation 3:10 saying, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” NKJV 1 Thess. 1:10 and 1 Thess. 5:9-10 also confirm that Christ will deliver us from the wrath to come. Why Didn't Jesus Take Me?Immediately after rapture has taken place, many people will be wondering and asking saying, "Why didn't Jesus take me?" "I attended church services and did a lot of good works” At that time the regrettable answer will be that it is not Jesus who rejected you; but you are the one who rejected Jesus. He has no choice now but to leave you behind because you declined to accept and follow Him when he was offered free of charge to you. May you not be part of this regret in Jesus name.
This is the time the left behind will now wish they had followed Matthew 7:21 which says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven"
The left behind will read "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18) but it will be too late.
EventsThis is going to be a period of unparalleled suffering which will cover the earth. The trouble will embrace the entire earth (Rev 3:10). While nations will be looking for peace, a world leader--whom the Bible calls the Antichrist--will arise. At first, He will first present himself as the best leader the world had ever known. , However, he will turn out to be the worst and most ungodly leader ever known. The antichrist is a demon-inspired leader who will rise to dominate the world at this time. He will seek to destroy the Jews and anyone who wishes to identify with Jesus.
Daniel 12:1 states that this “…shall be a time of trouble, such never was since there was a nation…”At this time the antichrist will force people to take a mark (referred to as the mark of the beast – the number 666) on their right hands or foreheads. This will actually be an identity mark (electronic implant which can easily identify you) and anyone who possesses this mark has received the mark of the antichrist – the devil. Read Revelation 13:11-18. Such people will end up in eternal judgment. Anyone who refuses to take this mark will be prevented form buying and selling and be subjected to various other tortures and in most cases put to death. The bible says, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name"(Rev. 13:17).
"And the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever received the mark of his name"
(Revelation 14:11).
But glory be to God, Jesus will return with his hosts to destroy the reign of the antichrist. See Revelation 19:11-end.
What may I do to avoid this regret?
1 Thess. 5:4-9 tells us that God not appoint us to wrath and advises to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.
Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now while there is still a chance. Tomorrow might be too late.