Imagine an enemy has filed a law suit against you. Worse yet, the charges are actually true! Finally, after a long wait, it’s your turn to appear before the judge. When the judgment does come—restitution for the righteous and punishment for the guilty both come suddenly–and at the same time!
Soon, the Lord of Heaven will render a verdict concerning every person on earth. Will your case be settled before trial? Will you receive—reward, probation, or penalty?
Revelation 3:10-11, New King James Version – “10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Believers who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb (they are trusting Jesus for their salvation) and the word of their testimony (their life demonstrates their belief in God’s Word) are not required to go through the hour of trial that will test the whole world.
Revelation 3:12, New King James Version – “12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”
Just as Enoch was taken to heaven without dying, believers who overcome will also be taken to heaven without dying. According to Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death. But, God (the Judge) was so pleased with Enoch’s life of faith, He gave Enoch an exemption him from the death penalty.
Hebrews 11: 5, Living Bible – “5 Enoch trusted God too, and that is why God took him away to heaven without dying; suddenly he was gone because God took him. Before this happened God had said how pleased he was with Enoch.”
If we want a favorable ruling from God – one that exempts us from the hour of trial – we need to prepare now. A judge expects everyone who comes into his courtroom to be prepared—the defendant should be dressed appropriately and be prepared to testify. The attorney will also be very familiar with the case and ready to present evidence to support the defense.
Jesus is the defense attorney for the human race. What will he have to say about your case?
- Can Jesus honestly say you received Him as Lord and Savior and you believe he died for your sins? (John 3:16-17 & Romans 10:13).
- Will Jesus testify that you denied yourself, put God first, and carefully obeyed His Word? (Luke 9:23-24 )
We can prepare for God’s sudden judgment by building a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is our appropriate attire. We are the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ, He gives us His robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). This means when God sees us, he sees Jesus’ perfect record instead of our long list of sins.
- Jesus is our testimony. Revelation 12:10-11 says: “10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, power, kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah have come. The one accusing our brothers and sisters, the one accusing them day and night in the presence of our God, has been thrown out. 11 They won the victory over him because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life so much that they refused to give it up.’” (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Jesus’ payment for our sins (with his own blood) AND the life we live through Him is our evidence before God. We know that God the Father has accepted Jesus’ payment. Jesus did His part (Philippians 2:5-11). But, we must finish our part—allow Jesus to live through us (Revelation 3:19-21).
We can live a holy life that pleases God because Jesus lives in us (Romans 8:10-12). The bible dedicates the entire 11th chapter of Hebrews to applauding people of faith who pleased God. These believers lived a prepared life. They are all over-comers.
Prepared believers are living for Heaven…now.
Hebrews 11:15-16, Living Bible – “15 If they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world. 16 But they didn’t want to. They were living for heaven. And now God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has made a heavenly city for them.”
If we are not living for Heaven, we will not go there.
Luke 21:34-35, Living Bible – “34-35 Watch out! Don’t let my sudden coming catch you unawares; don’t let me find you living in careless ease, carousing and drinking, and occupied with the problems of this life, like all the rest of the world. 36 Keep a constant watch. And pray that if possible you may arrive in my presence without having to experience these horrors.”
