There are many people who ask themselves: “Will I be along when Jesus comes to fetch His bride?” But the question they actually should ask themselves is: “Am I along?” I will only be along when Jesus comes to fetch His bride if I am along now.
What does it mean to be along?
In Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) we read, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
What does it mean that we “are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies”? It means that we do not have anything against anyone. There is not a single person who stands in our way. There is no-one and nothing that we have not forgiven. There is not a single person we are backbiting. Are you among these people?
But we are fighting “against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places”. Are you along in this battle, or do you let yourself be influenced by the spirit that is now working in those who refuse to obey God? (Ephesians 2:2.)
Being along in this battle means that people will mock and criticise you because you won’t live the way the world lives anymore. Not only that, you have also taken up the battle against the evil spirits that are working in our days. (Romans 12:2.) Noah condemned the world by what he did. (Hebrews 11:7.) Lot lived as a stranger in Sodom, and the others there felt that he was always judging them. It hurt his righteous soul to see and hear of their wicked deeds. (Genesis 19:9; 2 Peter 2:8.)
Are you among those who are fighting the evil worldly spirits, and are willing to be mocked for it?
Along in fighting against the wisdom of this world
We fight “against mighty powers in this dark world”. The Pharisees were also among those mighty powers, and the people were afraid of being thrown out of the synagogues. (John 12:42-43.) Because people want to have a good name, they do what the rulers in this dark world say, whether they are religious or earthly rulers. They want to be part of what is great in people’s eyes. But then they are also a part of what is evil in God’s eyes. (Luke 16:15.)
“However, I speak a wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world ... If they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (NCV).
We see that it is impossible to unite the wisdom that is from above with the wisdom of the rulers of this world. “A person who does not have the Spirit does not accept the truths that come from the Spirit of God. That person thinks they are foolish …” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NCV). Are you explaining your Christianity over and over again to people who don’t have the Spirit so you can avoid their disapproval, or have you taken up the battle against this wisdom of the world?
Is your lamp burning?
“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.” Luke 12:35-36 (NLT).
Are you along in this? If not, you will not be along in the rapture. If you want Jesus to know you, you have to do what He says in His Word, and let the light that you receive shine. Then Jesus will say before the angels of God that you belong to Him. (Luke 12:8.) If you are along in this, then you will be along in the rapture.
But you deny Him if you don’t do what the Word tells you to do; then you are not letting the light shine, and He will also tell the angels of God that you don’t belong to Him. Then it is clear that you are not one of those who will be raptured.