THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SALVATION DOES NOT LAST FOREVER
Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
Isaiah 55:6
Isaiah 55:6
Many people say (and want to believe) that people will still be coming to the Lord after the rapture happens. But what does the Bible say? For how long will mankind have the opportunity to be saved? Normally, we would believe a person has their whole life to choose salvation, albeit, never knowing when that life will be over. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Could there be closure on the opportunity of salvation?
The idea that people will still be repenting after the rapture fails the truth test. This “notion” is not biblical at all. It is a dangerous attitude for anyone to ever think that “someday, I will get right with God” and in this day and age, it is even more so. It will be shown here, just how dangerous an idea that is.
Luke records that Jesus was going from town to town, teaching on His way to Jerusalem. And someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?”
The Lord was then, and still is trying, to urge people to be saved while there is time. Once the door is shut, no matter how much someone beats on it; they will not be allowed in.
Jesus also said we are His body and the Light continues through us.
What happens when the Light is gone? Jesus is the Light in us that makes us the Light of the world. The Holy Spirit is His presence. Would the Holy Spirit be in the midst of God's wrath being poured out on the wicked after the rapture? No. The same world that spurned and rejected His Word, rejected His Two Witnesses and His true people, will have rejected the Light; and the darkness they will be in will be the result of there own demise. There is no record of anyone being saved or called to salvation after the rapture. Only the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of judgment and wrath being poured out and it is recorded in Revelation 9:20-21 and Revelation 16:8-9,11,21 that they continue to blaspheme God and not repent as will be shown later in this message.
The message is quite clear here in the Parable (Matthew 25:1-13) of the 10 Betrothed Virgins (5 wise and 5 foolish).
Once the door was shut, it was shut; even to the betrothed ones who did not keep their part of the covenant.
Once the rapture happens, one of the next big events in heaven, is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
In Hebraic customs, the marriage supper is a major part of a Jewish wedding. We as Christians, after the rapture will be attending this long awaited event in heaven (Revelation 19:1-9). But those who are unfaithful or foolish and do not heed the warnings of the Lord to stay ready and faithful, will not be there. And it will be, just as the Lord said, that the foolish betrothed virgins cried out for the door to be opened, but it was too late (Matthew 25:10-13).
Here are two historical situations, that once judgment came, it was too late for those not secured in being right with the Lord.
1 - The Ark was secured with Noah, the animals and family, the door was shut. Once judgment started, it was the end of opportunity for all outside the ark.
2 - When Lot and his family were safely delivered from Sodom and Gomorrah. Once the judgment started, it was the end of opportunity for deliverance.
Without the Holy Spirit, without His call, conviction and guidance, no one can be saved.
It takes the Holy Spirit's presence to bring a person to salvation.
The pre-tribulation rapture view itself, claims that the Holy Spirit leaves the earth when the rapture happens and that "He" is the one that restraineth the Antichrist and yet believe that there will be vast amounts of people who will still get saved after the rapture. There is no salvation without the Holy Spirit (John 6:44). It is a major failure of the pre-tribulation viewpoint in that the only way they can explain "Christians still on earth" in many various verses. The fact is, that once the Gospel is preached to the whole earth, the time will be up. The rapture will happen and the Holy Spirit will not be working with mankind anymore.
God will make sure that just as it says in Matthew 24:14, "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Through the missions of Christians and the witness of the Two Witnesses/Prophets of Revelation 11:1-13, the Gospel will go out and those that receive Christ, will be true to the Lord and go up with the others in the gathering of the saints, the rapture. Those that refuse will go the way of Satan and suffer the wrath of the last 31/2 years and eternal death.
No one will be drawn to salvation after the rapture. The time on earth after the rapture will be an intense time of God's wrath upon the wicked.
This scripture comes to mind also,
Note that anyone who worships the beast and his image; and takes the mark of the beast is eternally doomed.
It is recorded in the Bible that during the trumpets of judgment & bowls of wrath (which happen after the rapture) that mankind blasphemes God and does not repent.
It seems very clear, that today is the day of salvation. But the offer is not forever, for a person never knows when their time is over and there is also a rapture coming that will take many by surprise, just like the five foolish betrothed virgins. And once the door is shut to the wedding, no one will enter in.
Could there be closure on the opportunity of salvation?
The idea that people will still be repenting after the rapture fails the truth test. This “notion” is not biblical at all. It is a dangerous attitude for anyone to ever think that “someday, I will get right with God” and in this day and age, it is even more so. It will be shown here, just how dangerous an idea that is.
Luke records that Jesus was going from town to town, teaching on His way to Jerusalem. And someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?”
- Luke 13:23-30 And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."
The Lord was then, and still is trying, to urge people to be saved while there is time. Once the door is shut, no matter how much someone beats on it; they will not be allowed in.
- John 9:4-5 "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Jesus also said we are His body and the Light continues through us.
- Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
What happens when the Light is gone? Jesus is the Light in us that makes us the Light of the world. The Holy Spirit is His presence. Would the Holy Spirit be in the midst of God's wrath being poured out on the wicked after the rapture? No. The same world that spurned and rejected His Word, rejected His Two Witnesses and His true people, will have rejected the Light; and the darkness they will be in will be the result of there own demise. There is no record of anyone being saved or called to salvation after the rapture. Only the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of judgment and wrath being poured out and it is recorded in Revelation 9:20-21 and Revelation 16:8-9,11,21 that they continue to blaspheme God and not repent as will be shown later in this message.
The message is quite clear here in the Parable (Matthew 25:1-13) of the 10 Betrothed Virgins (5 wise and 5 foolish).
- Matthew 25:10-13 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
Once the door was shut, it was shut; even to the betrothed ones who did not keep their part of the covenant.
Once the rapture happens, one of the next big events in heaven, is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
In Hebraic customs, the marriage supper is a major part of a Jewish wedding. We as Christians, after the rapture will be attending this long awaited event in heaven (Revelation 19:1-9). But those who are unfaithful or foolish and do not heed the warnings of the Lord to stay ready and faithful, will not be there. And it will be, just as the Lord said, that the foolish betrothed virgins cried out for the door to be opened, but it was too late (Matthew 25:10-13).
Here are two historical situations, that once judgment came, it was too late for those not secured in being right with the Lord.
1 - The Ark was secured with Noah, the animals and family, the door was shut. Once judgment started, it was the end of opportunity for all outside the ark.
2 - When Lot and his family were safely delivered from Sodom and Gomorrah. Once the judgment started, it was the end of opportunity for deliverance.
Without the Holy Spirit, without His call, conviction and guidance, no one can be saved.
It takes the Holy Spirit's presence to bring a person to salvation.
- John 16:8 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”
- John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him”
The pre-tribulation rapture view itself, claims that the Holy Spirit leaves the earth when the rapture happens and that "He" is the one that restraineth the Antichrist and yet believe that there will be vast amounts of people who will still get saved after the rapture. There is no salvation without the Holy Spirit (John 6:44). It is a major failure of the pre-tribulation viewpoint in that the only way they can explain "Christians still on earth" in many various verses. The fact is, that once the Gospel is preached to the whole earth, the time will be up. The rapture will happen and the Holy Spirit will not be working with mankind anymore.
God will make sure that just as it says in Matthew 24:14, "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Through the missions of Christians and the witness of the Two Witnesses/Prophets of Revelation 11:1-13, the Gospel will go out and those that receive Christ, will be true to the Lord and go up with the others in the gathering of the saints, the rapture. Those that refuse will go the way of Satan and suffer the wrath of the last 31/2 years and eternal death.
No one will be drawn to salvation after the rapture. The time on earth after the rapture will be an intense time of God's wrath upon the wicked.
This scripture comes to mind also,
- Hebrews 12:16-17 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Note that anyone who worships the beast and his image; and takes the mark of the beast is eternally doomed.
- Revelation 14:9-11 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
It is recorded in the Bible that during the trumpets of judgment & bowls of wrath (which happen after the rapture) that mankind blasphemes God and does not repent.
- Revelation 9:20-21 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
- Revelation 16:8-9 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
- Revelation 16:11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
- Revelation 16:21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
It seems very clear, that today is the day of salvation. But the offer is not forever, for a person never knows when their time is over and there is also a rapture coming that will take many by surprise, just like the five foolish betrothed virgins. And once the door is shut to the wedding, no one will enter in.
If you have never been born again and would like to be right with God, please see the message:
SALVATION
If you were once born again & right with God but strayed away from the Lord, please see the message:
RETURN TO THE LORD
Please don't waste another moment of life or chance eternity; get right with God today!
SALVATION
If you were once born again & right with God but strayed away from the Lord, please see the message:
RETURN TO THE LORD
Please don't waste another moment of life or chance eternity; get right with God today!
Copyright © 2014, updated 2016 E. Cockrell May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
OTHER "GENERAL RAPTURE" ARTICLES
ANCIENT JEWISH WEDDING CUSTOMS AND JESUS CHRIST, HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH
Shows a distinct correlation between ancient Jewish wedding customs and the rapture.
AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
Understanding this idiom of the day. Understanding its real meaning and how it correlates with other Scripture matters.
AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
Taking a closer look at what Jesus really was saying.
BRIDE OF CHRIST, FAITHFUL AND TRUE
The Lord is coming back for a bride that will be counted worthy of Him.
CAN THE RAPTURE REALLY HAPPEN TODAY?
What events or prophecies are yet to be fulfilled?
CONSIDERATIONS FOR REAL REVELATION UNDERSTANDING
How to study more clearly.
EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM
Showing how huge and visible the rapture will be.
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW
The lost will bow to the Lord Jesus. The Father will see His Son glorified; whether they like it or not. And they will confess He is Lord.
IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
What the Bible says versus how this verse has been misinterpreted.
SOME KEY COMPONENTS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
An overview of many of the components of the book of Revelation.
THE APOSTASY - THE GREAT FALLING AWAY
Many are looking for "the whole world to come to Christ" before the Lord returns. In reality, it will be more the opposite. See it in God's Word and explained here.
THE LAST TRUMP
There are many trumpets in the Bible. There are 7 special ones foretold of by John the Revelator. But which one happens at the rapture?
THE LAST TWO GREAT BATTLES
See the biblical truth that Armageddon happens at the end of the 7 years and the battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium.
THE LORD WILL RULE WITH A ROD OF IRON
This article explains how the Lord will rule with a rod of iron.
TWO WHITE HORSES, TWO VERY DIFFERENT RIDERS,TWO VERY DIFFERENT TIMES
The Antichrist is the allegorical rider of the white horse at the 1st seal. Jesus Christ is the rider of the white horse at Armageddon.
WHAT "ON EARTH" IS GOING ON AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT?
In considering the bigger picture, we can develop a stance that will see us through.
ARTICLES ABOUT RAPTURE BASICS
WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
How we know there will be a rapture and more.
IS THE WORD "RAPTURE" IN THE BIBLE?
Understanding "harpázō" - the word from which we get the term "rapture" that we use today.
RAPTURE VIEWS
Article showing various end time and rapture views including millennial views with definitions to help in having a deeper understanding.
THE MYSTERY OF THE 70 WEEKS OF YEARS
From this prophecy in Daniel, "the last week of years" are determined, which are commonly known as "the 7 years of tribulation" and this article includes a chart to help in understanding.
THE TRIBULATION AND THE WRATH OF GOD
Understanding that mid tribulation rapture is pre-God's wrath. Taking a closer look at what "wrath and tribulation" really mean and what really happens during the last 7 years of this age.
"TRIBULATION AND WRATH" - BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS AND USAGE
A word study, taking a deeper look at original context.
THE BIBLICAL MINDSET FOR LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS
The best biblical mindset for living in the last days, as shown in 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
MAIN RAPTURE MENU
MAIN ARTICLE MENU
Copyright © 2014, updated 2016 E. Cockrell May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.