No Baby's Cry (Part 2 of 3 parts)

Every believer wants to go out of this world with the church when Jesus returns for His Own. We do not want to be left behind. We cannot bear to think that we could come home from work or shopping some day to a forever eerily, empty house. It scares us half to death to think that we could awaken some morning and never again see the face(s) of a loved one(s). It nearly stops our hearts to think that we would never again hear the words, "Daddy" or "Mommy", or "Grandpa" or "Grandma".

Do not think for a single second that I am just playing on your emotions, dear reader. I cannot possibly or adequately describe the horror of a world without a baby's cry; or that loss of a familiar, sudden smile; or the stark absence of eyes seeing us in loving recognition. There simply are no adjective embellishments to describe a world without a telephone call transmitting that familiar voice; that one more pleading prayer; just one more gospel message...and "Please God!...one more call of the Holy Spirit!" But it is all coming... and each one will be there who is not ready now!

It seems that I can hear it all now. "Preacher, if I miss it, I'll drop to my knees right where I am - regardless of where or when - and beg God to save me then and there. I do not care where I am or who is around, I will pray through no matter what!" No, you wouldn't, and no, you won't.

I have heard a few preachers make the statement that the greatest revival the world has ever known will occur right after the church is raptured out and people realize that they have missed it. There are at least three BIG reasons why I do not agree, even though, in the saying, I would be forever grateful if I am mistaken.

First, there is absolutely no biblical proof of that happening. The reason that such a view arises is that all of us desperately want to believe it. We want to hold out some hope for unsaved loved ones and friends.

The second reason is that every credible Bible scholar I know about believes that the Holy Spirit will leave this world with the church. If we cannot find it within ourselves to do what it takes to say "yes" to God and obey God, and walk with God, when faithful preachers repeatedly warn us, and faithful believers weep and intercede for us, and the Holy Spirit consistently convicts us and talks to us, what gives us any hope of getting to God with all of that gone?

The third reason why there will be no great turning to God immediately following the rapture is that if that would do it, the sooner God would allow it to occur, the more would be saved. Every day, persons in a lukewarm, backslidden condition are dying and slipping into Hell. If, because of the rapture occurring, millions would get right with God immediately following, the sooner, the better.

(Concluded next week)