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Bible Studies/Will this actually happen?

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Expert: - 9/25/2009


Question
I have another question.This terorist thing that is going on,do you think that the Christians will still be here when it happens?

Answer

Deer in my yard
Hi Corrina,

I'm not sure what you mean by "this terrorist thing." Are you referring to some particular plans they have or something?

Christians will be here until Jesus comes, and that will be the end of everything. All God's people from all ages, whether they have died or are still alive, will all go to heaven at the same time--when Jesus comes.

1 Th 4:16  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Th 4:17  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

It all happens at one time: The dead rise from their graves, the living are changed (1 Cor 15:51-53), and all will rise to meet Jesus in the air. No one will go to heaven before that (except, of course those that the Bible tells us about--Enoch, Elijah, Moses, and the people who were raised when Jesus rose from the dead).

There will be terrible times before Jesus comes, and all Christians will live through them. Revelation tells us of times when people will be killed if they don't worship in the way the government wants them to. But those who decide to be loyal to Jesus will be saved when He comes.

Don't let anyone fool you by saying that Jesus will take you secretly before troubles happen. The Bible doesn't say anything about that. If God's people in all ages have gone through troubles because they believed in God, then why should we expect to be rescued from troubles now.

I know I'm not telling you what you want to hear. I'm being honest with you. Being a Christian is real, it demands courage. And Jesus promised that no one would take you out of His hand. No one can make you do anything you are not willing to do. We have to come to the place that we would rather die than to be disloyal to Jesus. He died for us. And if we would rather die than sin, He promises that He has a place for us in His kingdom.

John 14:1  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
John 14:2  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Jesus is preparing a place for us in His Father's house. If you and I remain faithful to Him--no matter what happens--then we'll have one of those rooms. Jesus is preparing your room and He's planning to get you at His second coming and take you to it.

Will you be faithful? Will you stand for Him though the whole world goes against you?

That's my plan. I've given my life to Jesus, and by His grace--live or die--I will be true to Him. By Jesus' grace, I will not give in to any force that tries to make me worship any other God than Jesus Christ my Lord. (My heroes are in Daniel 3 and 6)

Thurman

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.

Expertise

I`ve been a Pastor and Bible teacher for 40 years.

Experience

I`m a writer--author of 18 Bible-based books and over 200 journal articles. Web site: www.PettyPress.com where a lot of my books and writings are posted. I've been married to the same lovely lady for 49 years. We're more in love now than when we married. My wife and I were missionaries to Pitcairn Island, in the South Pacific, from 1982-1984.

Organizations
I've been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since the age of 9.

Publications
Books: Pacific Press Publishing Association; Review & Herald Publishing Association; PettyPress. Number of titles published: 16. Journal Articles: Adventist Review; Signs of the Times; Guide Magazine; Ministry: A Journal for Clergy; Sabbath School Leadership; The Youth's Instructor; Student Movement; Cord, and others. Total Journal articles: over 200. Web Site: www.PettyPress.com. Contents: 18 of my books; 41 Bible study guides; over 30 sermons; Stories; poems; links to other sites, etc. E-mail address: PettyPress@gmail.com

Education/Credentials
I have a BA and a Master`s degree--both degrees are in Biblical studies.

Awards and Honors
I was awarded the "Golden Cord" from my Alma Mater, Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, for my foreign mission service.

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