Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Rapture and the Fall of Saigon


On April 30, 1975, North Viet-namese troops accepted the surrender of Saigon and thus snuffed out the Republic of Vietnam, humiliating Washington in the process. Saigon, within 24 hours, had become Ho Chi Minh City. The surrender of the capital and its prompt renaming--25 years ago this month--became the ultimate symbol of the failure of US policy in Southeast Asia.
For Americans, that day forever will be remembered for the spectacle of overcrowded US helicopters fleeing in a badly timed but well-executed evacuation, their flight to safety contrasting with the terror that gripped thousands of loyal South Vietnamese left to their fates. The media presented hundreds of wrenching scenes-tiny boats overcrowded with soldiers and family members, people trying to force their way onto the US Embassy grounds, Vietnamese babies being passed over barbed wire to waiting hands and an unknown future.
You can see people lined up on the roof of this building to get a helicopter ride out of the city while enemy troops closed in on their positions from all sides. We find ourselves in much the same position today. Enemy troops surround us on all sides, and instead of a helicopter ride out of harms way, we've been promised this:
Luke 21:36 watch ye, then, in every season, praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'
Rev 3:10 'Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.
There are many people today who refuse the Lord's command: "praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass"
Why would someone pray to ESCAPE ALL when they argue night and day that THEY WILL NOT ESCAPE ALL?
The Lord promised us an ESCAPE from ALL, and I for one intend to take Him up on it. I pray daily that all the brothers (and sisters), my family, and myself may be counted worthy to escape all. I think someone would have to be mentally challenged not to focus intently on the Lord's promises, especially Luke 21:36, Rev 3:10, 1 Thes 4 etc. Something wonderful is about to happen to those who are "in Christ." For those who argue that there is no pre-trib rapture, you best pray that 1. the Lord forgives you for blowing off his command to pray for escape, and 2. The Lord does not do unto you as you have believed (according to your faith). If you are dead set on diving into the tribulation, perhaps you'll get what you argued for.
Matt 8:13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go, and it will be done for you just as you have believed." And his servant was healed that very hour.
It's time to figure out what you believe and get rooted down deep in it. Things for some of us are going to get fantastically wonderful soon, for others it will be hell on earth. My bets on escaping ALL, what's yours on? grace and peace