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Left Behind at God's Last Trumpet Call

The Bible says: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever."¹

I was only a child at the time—about eight or nine—but it was so painful I've never forgotten it. It was the Christmas season and my parents took me and my older sister to a church (where we sometimes attended) for their annual Sunday School Christmas tree celebration. Every child there received a gift from the tree; that is, every child except me. I felt totally left out and very sad. Only one person noticed that I was left out and said anything to me. This kind man (I still remember his name), Mr. Norsworthy, cared and gave me a two-shilling coin which was a very valuable gift to me at that time.

Many of us remember, too, when we were kids and were not chosen to be on a team how badly we felt, and again when friends were invited to a party, and we weren't. As young adults most of us at one time or another felt rejected by someone of the opposite sex whom we had a crush on. At the time it was very painful. And what is more painful than, when married, being rejected by the one who promised to love us until death do we part. Feeling rejected or feeling left out can be devastating.

The day is coming when time, as we know it, will no longer be. This will be when Jesus Christ returns to earth, as he promised, to take all his true followers to be with him in Heaven forever. I don't know how to emphasize enough the need for making sure that you are ready for Christ's return. To be left behind at this time would be the most devastating experience known to mankind. As Jesus reminded us, "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left."²

A final reminder from God's Word: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever."¹

As James Black wrote in his popular hymn, "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there."

When God's last Trumpet Call sounds, will you be ready? What if it were today? If you are not absolutely sure that you would be ready, I urge you to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and receive God's forgiveness today. For help be sure to read "Passport for Heaven" on line at: http://www.actsweb.org/articles/article.php?i=25&d=1&c=2&p=1. Whatever you do, Don't leave earth without it.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your free salvation, your forgiveness of sins, and your gift of eternal life for all who accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Please help me to know without a doubt that I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, so that I will be ready for the day when your Last Trumpet Call sounds and Jesus returns for all his true followers. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NLT).
2. Matthew 24:40-41 (NLT).
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