Left Behind–a 1995 best-selling fiction novel with an overtly
religious message tells the story of Rayford Steele, a 747 pilot who's
"left behind" when millions of Christians, including his own wife and son,
were suddenly "raptured" from the earth by Jesus Christ. Now he and
the billions of people left behind with him face a seven-year period prophesied
in the Bible as a time of great "tribulation" under the reign of an evil
antichrist. Will they now avail themselves of this "second chance"
to become "born-again" Christians and be saved before the end of the "seven-year
tribulation" when Christ will return again to judge the world?
Barnes and Noble ranks Left Behind as one of the ten best sellers
of the 20th century. With eight sequels in print to date, and others on
the way, it's already being celebrated as the most widely sold book series
in history! While its story line is admittedly fictitious,
Left
Behind throws a spotlight on one of the most dominant teachings of
the
Bible–the second coming of Jesus Christ. However, by superimposing
the rapture theory over this great
biblical teaching as it has, Left Behind has itself left behind–
1. The most urgent truth
of all
2. The most compelling
prophecy of all
3. The most clarifying
truth of all
But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Millions of
Left
Behind's readers and viewers have had their attention riveted on the
shining truth that Left Behind didn't leave behind–Jesus Christ
is indeed returning soon! The second
coming of Jesus is referred to over 1500 times in the Bible, and in an
average of one verse in every 21 in the New Testament alone. Jesus'
promised reunion with His people at His second coming is the great climax
toward which the entire Bible story moves. John
14:1-3
Jesus' promise to return for all who have genuinely believed in Him
and followed Him has inspired millions to lives of faith and unselfish
benevolence to relieve suffering and inspire hope. Titus
2:11-14 Jesus' followers through the centuries have courageously
endured great suffering, even martyrdom, with the vibrant assurance burning
in their hearts that He will one day return for them. 2
Corinthians 4 And a grand reunion it will be, one faintly represented
by an award-wining photograph seen in Life
Magazine which captured an unexpected drama at the return of an American
POW from Vietnam.
Jesus's last recorded words in the Bible are, "'Behold I am coming quickly,
and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. .
. . Surely, I am coming quickly.'" The closing words of the Bible
respond: "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!'" Revelation 22:12,20
So, is the soon return of Jesus good
news or bad?
Depends entirely on your perspective, doesn't it? Is the apprehension
of a criminal good news or bad? Depends on whether or not you're
the criminal! If you aren't ready for Jesus to come, then His return
will be the most unwelcomed experience imaginable. But if you're
forming a forever friendship with Him now, it'll be the fulfillment of
your greatest dream.
If you haven't done so previously, you can begin forming that forever
friendship now, this very moment. Interested?
