1. Introduction
Below is the substance of a tract I recently wrote. I honestly believe that the Israel-Hamas war should cause any believer to at least consider the possibility that end the is near. This tract is self-explanatory. I hope you enjoy it.
2. Repent or Perish!
Some may think someone who carries a “REPENT OR PERISH” sign is out of touch with reality. However, the truth is they are very much in touch with the ABSOLUTE TRUTH of the Bible about the “end times.” The Israel-Hamas war should cause any person to pay attention to what the Bible says about the five major future events in the “end times” period. Please check out the accuracy of what I say by reading the Scripture citations. If you do not have a Bible, contact me, and I will give you one.
First: The Rapture. In the event called “the rapture,” Jesus Christ will snatch away all believers (those who previously died and those alive at the time) from the earth to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57) so they will not experience God pouring out His wrath upon the earth and its inhabitants during the upcoming “tribulation.”
Second: The Tribulation. Right after the “rapture,” the “tribulation” will take place, during which God will pour out His wrath upon the earth and its inhabitants. The tribulation will last seven years (Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 6-18). Jesus called the last three and one-half years the “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21) because God will intensify His wrath. Overall, this will be a time of terrible turmoil, suffering, and violence during which the antichrist will exercise control on the earth.
Third: The Millennial Reign of Christ. At the end of the “great tribulation,” Satan will be bound and thrown into the bottomless pit for one thousand years. Christ and all believers will reign on earth for those one thousand years in the “millennial reign” – the one thousand year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1-6).
Fourth: Satan released and the Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the millennial reign, Satan will be released, gather together unbelievers, and there will be a great rebellion. The final battle through which Satan will suffer a final defeat is called the “Battle of Armageddon.” After Satan’s defeat, all unbelievers will judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and will be thrown into the lake of fire along with Satan to suffer eternal torment (Revelation 20:7–15).
Fifth: The New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem. As the final event, there will be a new heaven, new earth, and the new Jerusalem will descend from heaven. All believers will live together with God forever (Revelation 21:1-7).
Why is the sign “Repent or Perish” relevant? For me, the Israel-Hamas war may very well be the “trigger” to begin World War III very soon. If I am correct to say that World War III will be the beginning of the “tribulation,” then the rapture of the church is not far off.
3. If You are a Christian
If you are a Christian, you should look forward to the rapture when you will see Jesus Christ face-to-face and be with Him forever!!!
4. If You are Not a Christian
If you are not a Christian, the rapture will be an awful event to live through. Suddenly, many people will be gone – vanished – and you will be left behind. The entire world will be in turmoil as the “tribulation” begins. While God can save you during the “tribulation,” in all likelihood, your decision for Christ will result in your martyrdom (Revelation 15:2-4; 20:4-6). To take the “mark of the beast” will seal your fate to hell forever (Revelation 14:9-11).
If you are not a Christian, what is today’s best course of action? Allow today to be “the day of your salvation” right now! Please skip to the back page and (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
Upon your salvation, you must begin two basic practices. First, you must read the Bible daily. The Gospel of John is an excellent place to start reading. Also, you should learn how to study the Bible. The book How to Study the Bible by Robert M. West (Barbour Books) is excellent. I will give you a free copy if I have some in stock.
Second, you must find a spiritually solid Bible-believing church that: (1) teaches that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, (2) believes in the doctrine of the Trinity, and (3) teaches that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works of any kind. Contact me, and I will try to locate a solid Bible-believing church in your area.
ONE CAUTIONARY POINT: Please do not think that once you become a Christian, your life will become easy. According to Jesus, it will become more difficult (John 15:18-25). But that’s okay since you have something better coming someday (2 Corinthians 5:8)!
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact me (Steve Belsheim) at steve@stevebelsheim.com. (Devotional No. 16 Repent Sign Rev 1.0)
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Photo from assuranceofheaven.com
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God, whereby Adam’s sin was passed down to all of humanity, creating a separation between God and humanity. We cannot do anything to bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell is our eternal destination. Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy, God provided us with the only means of salvation through Abraham’s lineage by sending the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, thereby fulfilling the Law, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all people. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, thereby exhausting God’s wrath against humanity. God now calls on every unbeliever to repent of their sins and completely trust in Christ alone that Jesus died for their sins and rose to life from the dead. Every unbeliever who repents and trusts in Jesus Christ will be forgiven of all their sins (past, present, and future) and born again as a new creation in Christ, possessing guaranteed eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).