By Brenda Cannon Henley
I am not a prophet nor a daughter of a prophet, but one of my ladies that I teach in our group, The Broken Pots, every Thursday asked me a question this morning, and the attached is my answer. Thought it might encourage you, and others that I love. And, I am well aware that people of many different faiths read and discuss our newspapers. You will doubtless have your own view of what is happening in our world today based on what you believe and have been taught.

A very successful journalist and author told me a long time ago that if, as writers, we get someone’s attention, and give the readers something that interests them enough to cause them to think, then we have done our job. I am trusting this article will do just that.

The question I was asked concerned the rapture of the church. This is the event that will cause Christians to be called home by God. None of us know exactly when the rapture will take place, but every day now, we see and hear events that make us know it is getting real. I quote my old pastor and did Thursday. “The stage is certainly set for Jesus to come for His own at any moment.”

We are taught in Scripture “That in the day of the coming of the Son of Man, the world will be like it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.” “As in the days of Noah, so shall it be.” Folks, we are there.

Little respect is left for human life. Families are splintered. Killing, rioting, fires, weird and wicked weather, heartbreak, abortion, death and destruction on every hand. The evening news, if you can stomach it, confirms this every night.

For the record, I personally, after many years of study, am a “pre-tribulation” believer based on II Thessalonians meaning Christians will be raptured or removed from this earth BEFORE the seven year tribulation begins. The first half of three and one half years will be terrible. The last half will be so awful that words do not adequately describe it.

The differences in what folks believe about when the rapture will occur is generally divided into pre-tribulation, meaning before, ah or mid-tribulation, meaning after three and one half years, and post-tribulation, meaning after all seven. There is a very funny story about how my pastor, Dr. Curtis Hutson, learned and taught this to us.

Dr. Hutson did not have the opportunity of a seminary or Bible school education, but he had a brilliant mind and had the enchanting ability to study, search, and simplify even the toughest subjects and doctrines of Scripture. This young preacher could also think on his feet more quickly than anyone I have ever known.

He had not formulated his own belief about tribulation time frames and events when he was asked by a much wiser, old gentleman what he believed and if he were a pre-tribulation believer. You can wager your best Texas boots that within a week, Dr. Hutson and I had read everything we could get our hands on about the matter.

The word “rapture” doesn’t appear in Scripture. Instead, it says “caught up,” or “snatched away.” This is a super important doctrine because some believe and teach that even Christians will have to endure one half of the tribulation or even all horrible seven years. This article is not to debate what you may believe. but to encourage you to make your own determination.

With each event unfolding, I say, based on Scripture, that we could be soon gone. No man or woman knoweth the day or hour, as the Bible clearly declares, but the world is waxing colder and colder and is a scary place to be.

With this being said, every individual must ascertain that he or she has trusted Christ for their eternal salvation and we should be busy making certain our loved ones and those we meet are trusting. We live in the darkest, but most glorious days ever. We may be the generation that does not die, but are called to meet Jesus in the air. Glory! I will meet my heavenly Father and I will meet my earthly father for the first time. My dad was killed in active duty during WWII, and I never saw him. My Mama Cole, who loved and reared me, Ted, my sweet husband who has been dead six years now, and so many of my loved ones will be there to greet me because I believe Heaven is real.

I don’t know the day or hour, but I do believe it could be soon and I am excited. Please know I care about you and your loved ones. I want you and them to be in Heaven for all eternity, with family members and loved ones. Am not intending to frighten, alarm, or insult you.

Salvation is simple in realty.

A. All have sinned. We know that in our hearts.

B. We must believe or trust Christ, who was not a sinner, but came willingly to die for all who would believe.

C. Once we have trusted Him, we should confess Him (tell others about) as our Savior. He will save them, too.

I had church in my living room looking at the water this morning. I miss my Texas friends so, but the Lord eased my heart by letting me think of all eternity with those I love. “We’ll never say goodbye in glory. We’ll never say goodbye up there,” Dr. John R. Rice wrote years ago. I believe that with my whole heart.

If you have questions about your eternal life, what you believe, teaching about the rapture of believers, the tribulation period, or coming world events, please reach out to someone. Pastors, church staff members, writers, and friends will be happy to share what they believe and have studied. May God bless us all.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected]

[June-30-2020]