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A darkness is falling on the world—soon the seven-year Tribulation period will begin. It will be an unprecedented time of sorrow for the entire world. There will be wars, economic upheaval, and terrible religious persecution. Governments will fall and wars and death will be common—billions will die. There will be plagues, poison waters, scorching heat, unexplained darkness, painful maladies, great earthquakes, celestial anomalies, animal die-offs, and much, much more. However, God in His mercy has provided a vehicle by which one can escape Tribulation period terrors—His name is Jesus Christ.

The way of escape and rescue from the tribulations to come is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus will rescue His faithful followers in an event known as the Rapture. But as the Rapture will occur suddenly, there will not be even a split-second opportunity to seek forgiveness and make things right with God when the Rapture takes place—at that point it will be too late. The only way to be prepared to be rescued by Christ in the Rapture is to already be in relationship with Jesus before the Rapture takes place.

Noted below is a simple, three-step plan to receive Christ, forgiveness, and salvation. Some refer to this process as being saved (1 John 2:2; Acts 4:12) or born again (see John 3:3 and 2 Cor. 5:17). Born-again believers are disciples and followers of Christ. The courageous identify as Watchmen.[1] Those who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved by Jesus Christ. Those who believe and confess their sins are forgiven, assured of eternal life in heaven, and will be rescued by Christ in the Rapture.

The ABCs to salvation

Are you certain you would go to heaven if you died today? You can be. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “Unless you become like this little child you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Drawing close to God is simple, as simple as A-B-C. The Apostle Paul summarized what one must believe as he wrote to the Corinthians: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” [2]

The word Gospel means “good news,” and there is good news, but first the bad news: we are all sinners. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”[3] The penalty for sin is death—spiritual death—eternal separation from God in hell.  Scripture notes, “For the wages (penalty) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”[4] Because we have sinned,  we owe a debt so great it can never be paid (by human effort). Our spiritual need is so great we need nothing less than a Savior, one willing to die for us, in our place, and pay the debt we could not pay. That is what Jesus did—such wonderful news cannot be adequately expressed in words.

The good news is that eternal life in Christ Jesus is His free gift to you. Scripture notes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”[5] Jesus paid your debt. He died for your sins. You can be forgiven and free because of Jesus Christ. How does one receive this gift?  A simple three-step process is outlined below:

The three-step plan to be saved – The A-B-Cs of Salvation

Admit that you are a sinner. We are all sinners. Romans 5:12 says, “… sin entered the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, so death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” All have sinned. All have fallen short of God’s standard. All need to be forgiven. The only way to be forgiven is to admit you are a sinner and confess your sins to Jesus. 

Believe in your heart. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and that God raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Scripture promises that those who believe and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be saved. They can know the sins they confess to Jesus are forgiven and forgotten and that they are promised an eternal, glorious home in heaven. 

Call upon the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How can you be saved? That’s the best part of the Good News – just ask Jesus to save you. There is something notable about declaring the truth out loud. Therefore, if you believe, others should know it. Share your testimony. Declare your faith. Challenge others to call upon the Lord as you have.

Today can be your day of salvation.[6] Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and committing to follow Him is the most important eternal decision you will ever make. Don’t wait — accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior now. There is no secret formula or specific words you must say. Just speak to the Lord from your heart. You can tell Him you believe, you need His forgiving touch, and express your commitment to follow Him in your own words. God knows your heart. A sample prayer is noted on the next page as an optional guide.

“God, I admit I am a sinner and I’m sorry for my sins. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross so that my sins can be forgiven. Right now, I place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I ask for Your mercy and grace. I ask for strength and wisdom to live for You. I thank You for saving my soul and promising to take me to heaven when my time is complete. I thank You for allowing me to spend eternity with You in glory.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving and saving me. Amen.”

If you followed those simple A-B-Cs, then you are saved. You are forgiven. You will spend eternity in Heaven with Christ and all those who believe in Him.  Well done. Now grow, serve, pray, give, and strive to finish well.

References:

¹   Ezekiel 33:1-9

2  1 Corinthians 15:1-4

3  Romans 3:23

4  Romans 6:23

5  Ephesians 2:8-9

⁶ 2 Corinthians 6:2

Are you ready for the Rapture?

The gift of salvation—How to be saved

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