No Power
By Jason Lovelace
Keys:
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so
also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that
sinneth, it shall die.”
--Ezekiel 18.4
“And she said, ‘The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.’
And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, “I will go
out as at other times before, and shake myself.’
And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.”
--Judges 16.20
There was a power outage in Eastern West Virginia and much
of Western and Southwestern Virginia due to a series of
storms that rumbled through on the night of June 29th-30th
(Thursday night and Friday) and July 1st and 2nd.
Because of these storms, much of the area where I
live has been without electricity. Blacksburg
itself was without electrical power for about twelve to
twelve and a half hours on July 1st.
What I experienced, personally, over the day or two caught
my attention in a different sort of way.
A Ghost Town…of Sorts
The power outage in Blacksburg - especially the areas close
to Virginia Tech - caused an unusual phenomenon:
Blacksburg was turned into somewhat of a ghost town.
This is rather surprising because the power was only
out in the city proper for about twelve to twelve and a half
hours. It was off from about 12:45AM early in
the morning of the 1st of July until about 1PM
the same day. What was amazing to me was the
fact that many businesses and buildings were literally put
out of business for the day (or the morning, as the case was
for many). I figured that many of these places
would have portable generators in order to have power for
their various instruments of machinery. This
included the place where I teach. I went early
- my wife driving me there on her way to her part-time job -
and expected students to be tested on paper (usually we test
them on computers, but have, in the past, tested students on
a paper-based entrance test). At about 7:30,
one of the administrators arrived and said I could go home,
which I did (not wanting to wait for her to change her
mind). As I walked home, the scenes that
morning were of a ghost town: a few cars out
and about, but basically everyone else inside and at home.
Business as Usual?
One instance that caught my attention that morning was a
well dressed gentleman driving up to Starbuck’s.
There’s a Starbuck’s Coffee® shop somewhat in between
where I live and where I teach. As my wife and
I drove up to the shop, we could tell that there was nothing
happening and that the store was closed: no
lights, no people, no activity. We didn’t even
try the door. She dropped me off at the school
where I teach where, as mentioned above, I waited,
encountered my supervisor, and went home after being told I
could do so. The well dressed gentleman drove
up in a very nice looking car. He got out as I
was walking by, and tried the door to Starbuck’s, and upon
finding out it was locked, returned ot his car rather
perturbed. I mentioned to him something about
being surprised that such a business - and this Starbuck’s
gets A LOT of business throughout the day - didn’t have a
generator. Later, after I went home and crashed
on the couch until about noon, when I went to search for
some place that might be open for lunch I noticed that every
place I happened to go to was closed because of a lack of
electricity. From Panera to Pizza Hut (which
had a sign on the door stating that they’d be open
“probably” at 3pm that day) to Log Cabin Barbecue to even
Kroger’s Supermarket, these places were all closed down for
the morning and into the afternoon because of no power, no
electricity. I was literally struck dumb that
none of these places - not even a VERY large corporation
like Kroger’s - had a generator in order to better serve
their customers on a day like that day when power was out,
and people would be coming out to look for survival goods
like water, batteries, and canned goods.
Incidentally, after I left our apartment at 1:00pm, the
power had come back on, and CVS Pharmacy in the Student Mall
was the only place open. I was able to direct a
gentleman to CVS so he could buy some batteries.
Everything else was closed.
A Microcosm
There were two things that struck me about that day.
First, I was haunted by the fact that the Rapture of
the Church - which I believe is imminent - will hit very
similarly to the storms that struck this area of the United
States, and it will cause a lot of small towns and smallish
cities like Blacksburg, Virginia, to become like Ghost Towns
in an instant. I was literally struck dumb
about the fact that very few people were out and about on
the day in question. Those that were out were
looking for food, water, and other emergency supplies and
finding none because places were closed. Will
it be the same when the Rapture hits? Will it
be worse? Could we see looting like we saw in
the Los Angeles Riots in the early `90s? Will
we see rapacious gangs of thugs roaming freely without fear
of the police or other law enforcement like we saw in New
Orleans following the disaster of Hurricane Katrina?
Will people literally be breaking into places where
signs announce “Closed due to ‘Disappearances’”?
Will we see people hiding in fear behind locked and
barricaded doors, weapons of all kinds and every sort ready
for the looters, thieves, murderers, and rapists that very
likely will be roaming the streets? Will it be
horrific chaos the likes of which we haven’t seen in our
lifetime in the USA? Could people be taking
their lives into their own hands by simply stepping out to
go and get those things that are necessary for basic life,
such as water, canned food, and batteries?
Granted, there was none such that happened here in
Blacksburg, but the stark reality of nobody, or very few of
anybody, being out and about made me wonder if things
wouldn’t be very similar - or even worse - in the immediacy
of the Rapture of the Church?
Locked Out
The second thing that struck me the other days the fact that
all the stores and shops and restaurants in the area were
closed simply because there were no generators, no way of
supplying power to those machines and stoves and appliances
and computers needed to operate for business.
Actually, there were two things that caused me to ponder:
first, how many people, when - following the rapture
- will go to their local church and find it either locked
because everyone else has been raptured or go to their
church and find a great number of people there (including
church leadership) yet without power because they didn’t
trust in the Spiritual Generator, Jesus Christ?
To the former, Christ himself speaks directly (in a parable
concerning those who fail to watch):
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they
that were ready went in with him to the marriage:
and the door was shut. Afterward came
also the other virgins saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, “I
know you not.”’”
--Matthew 25.10~12
The simple fact of the matter here is that many who are left
behind after the Rapture of the Church will seek to enter
in, seek to go with those who have been taken out of this
world, only to find the door shut. They will
have remembered what a friend, family member, loved one,
coworker, neighbor, or acquaintance spoke to them about
concerning the coming of Jesus Christ in the clouds.
They will remember where this one who loved them went
to church and show up there seeking answers.
The bad news is that likely the entire church’s regular
congregation, leadership, and people - including the person
or person who spoke to them - will be gone, and though the
church doors will probably be open, no living soul will be
there, saving for other seekers. In the latter
instance, at such a time of disaster, people congregate to
churches and centres of religion. Such was the
case in the USA after the September 11th, 2001
terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C. and New York City.
Church attendance spiked exponentially in the weeks
and months following the attacks, and literally that day in
New York City, Churches and religious centres became
shelters, including those nearest ground zero which saved
the lives of many after the towers collapsed.
The problem with the latter instance above is that many
churches these days preach a gospel that is without power -
the Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ. Paul
spoke to this directly when he wrote his second letter to
Timothy:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For men shall be lovers of their own
selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady,
highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
form such turn away. For of this sort
are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly
women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.
Ever learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth.”
--2nd Timothy 3.1~7
Tragically enough, Paul’s discourse and description of the
last days also is a fairly clear description of the modern
day church. Many mainline denominations and
mega-churches have watered down the Gospel of Jesus Christ
ot the point that sin is no longer condemned, sinful
lifestyles (such as cohabitation, homosexuality, adultery,
flimsy divorce, single motherhood by choice, and
disobedience to parents [just to name a few]) are not only
welcomed but embraced, and pastors’ sermons are more akin to
self esteem and self confidence conferences and workshops
rather than the time tested and true preaching of the Gospel
Message. Many of these denominations and super
churches record thousands and even millions coming to
Christ…but many of them are coming to a false Christ of
works, self-help and self-confidence and self-esteem, and/or
a sin embracing Christ that calls for no repentance.
Many - if not the vast majority - of these churches
fail to spread the message of the freeing power of the Blood
of Jesus Christ (John 8.32~36). They fail to
teach and preach the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
They have ceased to preach against the eternal danger
of hell and the Lake of Fire (Revelation 14.9~11; 20.10~15),
some evangelical ministers, preachers, teachers, and
missionaries even going so far as teaching that hell and the
Lake being against the loving nature of God.
They have opened their arms to embrace not only the sinner,
but the sin as well, failing to realize that on two
occasions Christ said “Sin no more” (John 5.14; 8.11).
Instead of preaching on the changing and transforming
power of Jesus Christ, these churches have become meeting
places for the lost to remain so and offering the human
“power” of doughnuts and coffee instead of Biblical Truth.
Many other churches have decidedly focused on the
“social” gospel, reaching out to help the hungry, the
homeless, the naked, and the imprisoned, yet failing to give
a surer foundation and transformation by rejecting the truth
of Jesus Christ being the only way to salvation (John 14.6),
embracing government programs and “free ‘tools’” instead of
preaching the Biblical truth and the freedom found therein.
Many churches are now abandoning Sunday School and
Early morning Bible Study for “worship” hours that are more
akin to “show-off” contests (who can show they “worship”-ing
the best) than true worship time. Prayer
meeting on Wednesday nights is now becoming passé with
midweek services (if they are held at all) becoming times
for choir practice or gossip sessions (roasted pastor being
the main course) or other activities other than people
coming together to study the Bible, pray, and/or invite the
presence of the Holy Ghost into their midst..
Such churches and those who lead them may find themselves
unpleasantly surprised when the Rapture of the Church takes
place. They will find themselves in a very similar situation
as those businesses here in Blacksburg - without power.
They may have their doors open, as the Rapture of the
Church will be a disaster of never seen before proportions
(think of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina,
Chernobyl, the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and the
September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks all rolled
into one and magnified by a million, and spread across the
globe) and millions will literally flock to them, but their
power will have long been gone. They will offer
a vain hope, an empty Gospel, and vacant words to those who
come to them (as they are already doing). Their
work will be powerless, though their effort may be strong.
Their reaction to the Rapture of the Church will be
false and a farce, though their message may be sincere.
And their love will be that of a whore or prostitute
(see Revelation 17), though it will seem real enough.
The Bottom Line - Jesus IS Coming Again: Do You
Have HIS Power?
This is a simple fact, friends: Jesus is coming
again!
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house
are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the
way ye know.”
--John 14.1~4
“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven.”
--Acts 1.11
When he comes again, will you be without power, akin to
Samson from one of our keys for today? Will you
rush out on that day when the last trump sounds (1st
Corinthians 15.52; Zechariah 9.14); Matthew 24.31; John
5.25) only to find you have been left behind because you
were without His power? Friends, Jesus is
coming again. All things are now in place, and
as many writers and pundits have stated it is as if the
world has taken a deep breath as a person does before a big
hill on a roller coaster. It’s as if the world
is awaiting another huge event (and I’m not writing about
the so-called Mayan “end of the world” 2012 scenario).
Now is the time for you, friend and reader, to get
right with God (Romans 13.11~14; 1st Corinthians
15.34; 1st Timothy 2.4). Don’t wait
until disaster strikes or until you are old (or older),
because the next breath isn’t promised to you…
“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold; now is the day
of salvation.”
--2nd Corinthians 6.2
Conclusion
Friend, if today you wish to come to Jesus Christ and accept
him as Lord
and Savior of your life, he is waiting and has his arms open
for you! Look at these incredible statements:
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and
plenteous in mercy unto all that call upon thee.”
--Psalm 86.5
“…but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness…”
--Nehemiah 9.17
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him
that cometh unto meI will in no wise cast out.”
--John 6.32
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘He that believeth on me
hath everlasting life.7”
--John 6.47
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And
let him that heareth say, ‘Come.’ And let him
that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let
him take of the water of life freely.”
--Revelation 22.17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.”
--John 3.16
Friend, these promises are for you! As the
verses in The Bottom Line speak, today is the day of
salvation! Don’t wait! If you want
to receive Jesus as
Lord and Savior, pray this prayer:
Father in Heaven, I know that I am a sinner. I
know that I have sin in my life and that it separates me
from you. Father, I am so sorry for my sins and
I ask you, will you forgive me in Jesus’ Name and by his
blood? Will you forgive me, Father, and help me
to turn away from these sins? I want to live
for you! Come into my life by way of your Holy
Ghost, and help me to walk in your ways! Help
me, Lord, to live for you forever from this point on.
I thank you and I love you, Lord, and I pray this in
the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer and were serious, I have good
news: You are now a child of God!
Here is what you need to do next:
1. Read your Bible.
Start in the Gospel of John and try to read at least
five verses a day. You may read more, but
remember to take your time and let the Lord God speak to
you. Try to start studying the Bible, as well.
Make time in your day to study and meditate on God’s
written Word.
2. Pray every day.
Make time to pray every morning and every evening.
Find a quiet place, either at home, at your work, or
at your school - as the case may be - and pray.
Your words don’t have to be fancy or flowery; simply pray
like you are talking to a friend, for Jesus is your New
Friend. For guidelines on how to pray, see
Matthew 6.5~15
3. Find a church that preaches Jesus Christ Crucified and
Risen and where the Bible is the Final Authority.
Ask the Spirit of the Lord to lead you (see James
1.5~7) and he will bring you to the place where he wants
you. Attend as many services as you can, but
especially on Sunday, and go to Sunday School:
it will help you to grow in the Lord. You will also come to
know many who are also fellow believers,. Get
to know them. Join a home Bible study if
possible, and become accountable to someone who has been
walking with the Lord Jesus for a number of years.
Christian friends will also challenge you and help
you grow in the Lord.
If you do these things, you will grow in the LORD.
The Devil will convince you that nothing has
happened, nothing special has taken place, and that you
really aren’t saved. He will do this heavily in
the beginning, but remember the promises of the Lord in the
Bible. Remember to serve the Lord, to follow
the words of Jesus Christ, and to fight the devil (read
Matthew 4 to see how Jesus fought the Devil).
Remember: w hen you are in trouble, when times are tough,
and even when times are good, call on the Lord, and he will
be there for you to help you.
Prayer
LORD, we have learned today about power and how the power
you give through salvation and knowing you is of utmost
importance. Help us, O Father, not to be
without your power on the day when you call your church
home. Help us to live and work for and follow
you and what you say in your written Word. We
pray for those who are without, Lord: help us
to shine our lights for you and to live in such a way that
many will come to know you. We pray for those
who have come to know you through this lesson and article,
that they would get with good, Christian friends, and grow
stronger in you day by day. Help them, O LORD,
to withstand the devil and his schemes, and to learn to flee
temptation. We pray all of these things in the
Precious Name above all names, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Verse to Remember:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the
vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in
me, and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.”
--John 15.4~5