{"id":55934,"date":"2019-01-31T18:49:48","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T15:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=55934"},"modified":"2025-09-22T15:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T12:47:10","slug":"our-salvation-is-closer-now-than-when-we-first-believed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/01\/31\/our-salvation-is-closer-now-than-when-we-first-believed\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cOur Salvation is Closer Now than When We First Believed\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every one of us is moving forward\u00a0 step by step\u00a0 through time. What was once the day before yesterday became yesterday, and now it’s today. Clearly, there are serious events awaiting us in the days ahead. One of the most significant is the Rapture of the Church<\/strong>. And if we do not experience the Rapture, death<\/strong> is the other inevitable path.<\/p>\n

We often make plans: \u201cNext week I\u2019ll do this,\u201d or \u201cNext year I\u2019ll be in a certain place.\u201d But let\u2019s not forget\u00a0 even those who died yesterday also had plans. They didn\u2019t see death coming. They too had dreams and expectations for the future.<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s Urgency to the Church<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Apostle Paul once wrote to the Christians in Rome:<\/p>\n

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“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”Romans 13:11, ESV<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Do you see what Paul is saying? This was written in the early church era\u00a0 and now, thousands of years later<\/strong>, we are far closer to that final salvation\u00a0 the return of Christ and the Rapture<\/strong>\u00a0 than even they were. How much more then should we\u00a0 the last generation\u00a0 live with urgency, holiness, and deep devotion?<\/p>\n

We are called to seek God more diligently<\/strong>, to fix our minds on eternal things more than those in the world. We must watch our lives<\/strong> more carefully than even the first believers did.<\/p>\n

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The Church of Laodicea\u00a0 The Last Church Age<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Do you realize that we are living in the era of the last church<\/strong> spoken of in Revelation chapters 2 and 3\u00a0 the church of Laodicea<\/strong>? This is the seventh and final church\u00a0 there will be no other after it. And this final church will end with the Rapture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the early Christians lived during the first church age\u00a0 Ephesus<\/strong>. We are at the other end of that timeline.<\/p>\n

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The Rapture Will Be Secretive and Surprising<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many people mistakenly think the Rapture will be loud, chaotic, and obvious\u00a0 with media coverage, global panic, or strange events. But Scripture implies the opposite.<\/p>\n

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“<\/strong>Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.” Matthew 24:40\u201341<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It will be so subtle that the world may barely notice. A small remnant<\/strong> will be taken\u00a0 so few that it won\u2019t make global headlines. It won\u2019t be like what Hollywood imagines.<\/p>\n

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The Spirit of the Antichrist is Already Working<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The spirit of the Antichrist<\/strong> is already at work in the world especially through religious deception<\/strong>. According to 2 Thessalonians 2, the Antichrist will exalt himself in the temple and deceive many.<\/p>\n

The Bible also warns us that a global religious leader<\/strong> could play a central role in end time deception. Many believe this aligns with certain developments in Vatican City. Though we must be cautious about assumptions, Scripture urges us to watch and discern carefully.<\/p>\n

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The Gospel Will Soon Reach Israel<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You may not realize it, but the very Gospel you are hearing today will soon reach Israel<\/strong> with great power, and when the Jewish people accept Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah, it will be a sign that the Church Age is already over<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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“<\/strong>And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”\u00a0 Romans 11:26<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This moment will come after the Rapture. By then, the Gentile Church (including you and me) will have already been taken. Even now, many Jews are returning to their homeland. All that remains is for God to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication<\/strong> (Zechariah 12:10), leading them to recognize the One whom they pierced.<\/p>\n

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The Whole World Has Heard the Gospel<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Statistics suggest that nearly every nation, city, and village<\/strong> has now heard the name of Jesus Christ. This is in fulfillment of Jesus\u2019 words:<\/p>\n

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“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”Matthew 24:14<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, what is God waiting for now?<\/p>\n

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Signs of the End Are Everywhere<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Bible speaks of many signs of the end times\u00a0 too many to list here\u00a0 but a few are especially clear today:<\/p>\n

1. False Prophets Abound<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The rise of false prophets exploded in the early 2000s and has become even more intense since 2010. Many preach prosperity<\/strong>, worldly success<\/strong>, or self centered gospels<\/strong>, not the return of Christ.<\/p>\n

2. Widespread Wickedness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Evil and violence are increasing. Immorality is now celebrated publicly. Even children are exposed to the filth of this world\u00a0 nothing is hidden anymore.<\/p>\n

3. Scoffers and Mockers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

People now mock the promise of Christ\u2019s return:<\/p>\n

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“They will say, \u2018Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.\u2019”
2 Peter 3:4<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This skepticism is itself a sign of the end.<\/p>\n

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Do Not Be Deceived by \u201cPeace\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

People expect the end to come during war or disaster\u00a0 but Scripture warns us it will come when people least expect it:<\/p>\n

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“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, \u2018There is peace and security,\u2019 then sudden destruction will come upon them…”
1 Thessalonians 5:2\u20133<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Time to Wake Up Spiritually<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Paul continues in Romans 13:12\u201314<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light… But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is a call to every believer\u00a0 and every seeker.<\/p>\n

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Today Is the Day of Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Friend, why risk your soul? You may think there\u2019s still time\u00a0 but tomorrow is not promised<\/strong>. You could face death or the Great Tribulation unexpectedly. Today is the day of salvation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Jesus said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cTherefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.\u201dMatthew 24:44<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Just like you lock your doors at night\u00a0 not because you expect a thief, but because you don\u2019t want to be unprepared\u00a0 so also we must guard our souls.<\/p>\n

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Responding to the Call of God<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are ready to repent sincerely<\/strong>, Jesus Christ will forgive your sins, cleanse you, and welcome you into His family.<\/p>\n

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\u201cRepent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u201dActs 2:38<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If you\u2019ve never been baptized by full immersion<\/strong> in the name of Jesus<\/strong>, it\u2019s time to take that step in obedience. Then, God will seal you with His Holy Spirit:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.\u201dEphesians 4:30<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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For Believers: Stay Awake<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To those who are already Christians\u00a0 this is not the time to grow cold<\/strong> or look back. Remember:<\/p>\n

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\u201cOur salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.\u201dRomans 13:11<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Let us live each day with urgency, purity, and hope knowing that at any moment<\/strong>, we may be called home.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWork out your own salvation with fear and trembling.\u201dPhilippians 2:12<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God brought this message to you today for a reason<\/strong>. It\u2019s not a coincidence. He\u2019s calling you to wake up, to return, or to come to Him for the first time. The time is short.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to repent, surrender to Christ, and follow Him wholeheartedly do it now<\/strong>, not tomorrow.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBehold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.\u201d2 Corinthians 6:2<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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God bless you richly. May this message stir your heart and cause you to seek the Lord with all diligence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n