Final Curtain Call

The title of Dr. David Jeremiah's March magazine and devotional is "A Graceful Exit." In the essay called, "The Great Curtain Call," the author briefly explains and compares The Rapture of the Church (all believers) as the Church's final curtain call. This is because the roles of the audience and performer will be reversed.

Jeremiah:

Calling us out to join Him for all eternity will be the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ Himself.

Even though our lives have been lived out - like characters in a play - it is all believers everywhere who will applaud Jesus Christ because of his plan for the redemption of mankind.

Jeremiah:

It is Christ alone who deserves the credit and praise. He wrote the script, funded the production at the expense of His own life-blood, chose the cast, empowered the players, and then rewards us at the end for accomplishing something that He alone made possible. The Rapture will be a final curtain call like no other.

Recall the question and answer about Rockefeller - one of the richest men in the world - when he died? It was asked, "how much (money) did he leave?" Answer: all of it.

All that we have, all that we think we own, all that we give to others in all honesty - belongs to the Lord. We are stewards of this earth. All that we enjoy while here while on this earth is in all actuality "on loan" to us.

Dr. Jeremiah's paragraph about Christ alone deserving the credit and praise is true about our entire lives. Have you ever really thought deeply about that? That paragraph reminded me to think more deeply about it. The promise that He rewards believers "at the end for accomplishing something that He alone made possible" is strikingly awesome! Why? Because it is so true! Allow me to share some Scriptures that reiterate this point.

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Mat 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

That is some powerful Word to keep in mind - especially today. With all of the financial worries, woes, stealing, thievery (even via taxes through our own government!!) loss of jobs, loss of homes etc. we might need to look at those verses and understand why our nation is experiencing what is currently happening today. Any ideas?

Could it be that many of us have forgotten God?

Could it be that God is calling us out from our slumber and sinful ways?

Could it be that we are relying too much on "things of this earth" rather than relying on God?

Moths can ruin and destroy the most expensive piece of clothing. They can also destroy the oldest raggedy piece of clothing. Rust can damage the most expensive car, as well as an older car. Get one ding in a new vehicle which results in paint chipping off and rust is soon to follow.

This probably isn't the time to say, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." When it comes to possessions and this current economy, we don't want to hear that. But there is a purpose even in times of great loss. When Katrina hit New Orleans, many people turned back to God as a result of it. I have read on other blogs that many civilians in Iraq, though they have suffered years of loss from Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, are now coming to Christ in record numbers after having been liberated by our brave military and the coalition forces.

But consider this, also. When it comes to utilizing such a statement in light of all eternity - we most certainly should have a completely joyful attitude. "The Lord giveth (eternal life), and the Lord taketh away (the sins of the world)."

Dr. Jeremiah tells us that the Rapture of the Church could happen at any time. There is nothing on the prophetic calendar that needs to be done before we "meet the Lord in the air." Bible scholars refer to this as the "imminent appearing of Christ," imminent meaning "at any moment."

Dr. Jeremiah:

To put this event in perspective, let's step back and review God's plan for the ages:

* After the fall of mankind into sin in the Garden of Eden, God called a people out of the human race for Himself: Abraham and his descendants.

* When that people failed to fulfill their mission of attracting the nations of earth to God by manifesting His glory on earth, God sent His Son, Jesus, to call out a new people from all the nations of the earth: the Church - the spiritual, not physical, descendants of Abraham.

* When the Church fulfills her mission of taking the Good News of God's forgiveness and salvation throughout the earth, Christ will return in the sky and call the Church to Himself in heaven to avoid the judgment God will bring upon the enemies of God on earth. That "calling out" - that final curtain call - is the Rapture, when the entire Church from all ages is united for the first time with her Lord and Savior.

Nothing remains on God's prophetic timetable to be accomplished before the Rapture can occur. But on important question does remain to be answered.

The Most Important Question

The script that God has delivered to us for His drama on earth is not specific as to times and dates; it is only specific in terms of events. That is, we know Christ is going to return for His Church - but even He did not know the exact day or hour (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, we must be ready for God's curtain call to come at any time.

While discussing that verse in a Bible study group, it was deemed necessary for Jesus Christ not to reveal the date or time. If we knew it, would we work as though his return was imminent? If the date was June 9, 2009 - probably yes! If it was set at June 9, 2209 - probably not. There is a specific reason why the date has not been revealed.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Dr. Jeremiah:

Jesus told a parable to accentuate the need to live a watchful life: the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)

Mat 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.


Mat 25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.


Mat 25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,


Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.


Mat 25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.


Mat 25:6 "And at midnight a cry was [heard]: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; [fn] go out to meet him!'


Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.


Mat 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us [some] of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'


Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, '[No], lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'


Mat 25:10 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.


Mat 25:11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'


Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'


Mat 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [fn] in which the Son of Man is coming.

NKJV Footnotes:
(25:6) NU-Text omits is coming.
(25:13) NU-Text omits the rest of this verse.

Dr. Jeremiah:

Those who participate in the final curtain call for the Church will be those who are on stage when it happens.

There will be no running onto the stage at the final moment in order to participate in the Rapture when Jesus appears for His Church.

So the question is, do you have a part in the script? Are you part of God's cast of characters who will be invited to participate in history's final curtain call? You can join the cast today by placing your faith in Christ, receiving Him as your Lord and Savior. Only then will you be assured of hearing His call when He returns to remove His Church from earth. It is earth's final graceful exit - not something that you want to miss.

Hat tip:

Turning Points Magazine & Devotional: A Graceful Exit by Dr. David Jeremiah, March 2009 pp. 24-25