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journeying beyond the security of religious ritual, to a place of solitary obedience to the Lord Himself.
Second, because of His intimate relationship with God -- the Lord began to reveal His secrets to Enoch; one of which was the exact time that God's judgment would begin -- He named His son "Methuselah" which means "when he is gone it will begin" -- speaking of the judgment.
Finally, Enoch was a prophet -- Jude 14 tells us that he warned his generation of the disasters that would come, because of God's judgment against sin. This too was pleasing to the Lord.
These are all very important insights left us by God in His Word to direct us to His higher ground. Christ isn't returning to see how many church services we've attended -- or to ask us how much we've donated to the church building fund. No, Christ is interested instead in how closely we are walking with Him; how diligently we are studying His word -- and how obediently we are preaching and warning our generation -- for time is indeed running out. Today, the emphasis throughout Christendom, is on the presentation of the "Good News" of God's redemption and reconciliation; however, we would be remiss if we neglected to warn these same people, that judgment awaits all who neglect or reject our message. Let us not be so enamored with heaven that we forget the vast majority of men and women who will choose to go to hell instead. So, if we are going to walk with and please God, we must preach not only the gospel of God's grace, but the solemn warning of His judgment as well; then we will be one step closer to being Raptured.
2 Kings (2) records for us the story of Elijah, who was Raptured into heaven in a fiery chariot. (Figuratively revealing to us that the fire of God's judgment will occur simultaneously with the Rapture). Equally apparent in this story is the fact that many will be left behind; those left behind include Elisha and the sons of the prophets.
First it is apparent from the text that Elijah also is walking with God. Notice he says; "The Lord hath sent me to Bethel" "to Jericho" and finally to "Jordan".
Elisha, on the other hand, is following the man of God rather than the God of the man; he is experiencing a second hand experience (through Elijah) with the Lord. This reveals a spiritual deficiency in Elisha for as yet he cannot "hear" from God for himself. This is a form of idolatry that we discussed earlier, wherein many follow spiritual mentors rather than seeking God for themselves. Apparently those who are in such a spiritual state will be unprepared for the first Rapture. Obviously, hearing from God appears to be a pre-requisite for walking with Him and may in fact pinpoint one of the major qualifications required to make the first Rapture.
Also note the fact that Elisha tells the sons of the prophets to be quiet when they tell him about Elijah's coming rapture -- revealing a second character flaw -- that is, his inability to testify before men of the coming rapture. So too today, many in the church shrink back from openly discussing Christ's return, the Rapture, the coming judgment, etc. out of fear of appearing wacky or obsessed. These verses seem to imply that their silence may incur devastating personal results. Many refuse to speculate about Christ's return because too many have failed in trying to pinpoint it in the past. One thing is clear -- Israel is back. Rev. 12 paints a picture of a woman "clothed with the sun" with a
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