Friday, April 1, 2011

Left Behind Series - #12 Glorious Appearing

There was so much in this book that impacted me!!! I don't want to get into too much detail (because I want you to go out and read the books for yourself!), but this is all based on the book of Revelation, so if you read that, you can pretty much figure out these books.

Anyways, we're at Armageddon. The HUGE army of Lucifer is prepared to battle Christ Jesus when he returns. Except when Jesus starts speaking, the Unity Army (as they're called in the book) dies as if they've been killed by a sword. It's explained the the Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit, and so by speaking Scripture (God's Word), it literally acts as a sword against the evil army.

The part that really got to me was when Jesus says this:

"I am the Lamb that was slain and yet who lives. I am the Shepherd who leads His sheep to living fountains of waters. I am the God who will wipe away every tear from your eyes. I am your Salvation and Strength. I am the Christ who has come for the accuser of the brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, the one who has been cast down."

Jesus is simply describing Himself. There's not much more to it. He has finally come to rid the world of Lucifer (at least for a time) and bring His children to Himself. And not just spiritually, but face to face. Face to face! Can you imagine that???

On the next page, it describes how Smitty and Kenny (four years old at this point) reacted when Jesus appeared in the clouds. With Him, He brought light that penetrated even the darkest of shadows. Smitty was holding Kenny - who was sleeping but had woken up from the light - and trying to kneel before Jesus, when Kenny told Smitty that he wanted to kneel too. The book says, "[Kenny] too knelt, first intertwining his tiny fingers as if to pray, then reaching out to Jesus. 'My Lord and my God,' [Smitty] said, and Kenny repeated him. 'Jesus!' Kenny cried, standing and waving. 'Jesus!'"

I can picture this: a four-year-old boy, born and raised during the Tribulation by Christ-following parents, finally getting to see Jesus, and SO excited that he just jumps and and starts waving to Jesus, trying to get His attention. Working in a daycare, I've had the chance to observe kids at this age, and I've seen them get really excited about seeing their parents coming to pick them up at the end of the day. For Kenny to be that excited to see Jesus, I just thought that is super cool =D

Another part that really impacted me was after Jesus had defeated Lucifer's army and was now calling His children to come to Him, saying, "Come to Me, My child, come unto Me, and I will give you rest." The book tells this part through Rayford's perspective, and it tells of Jesus being just as thrilled to see Rayford as Rayford was to see Him. But Rayford "was overcome with the shame of his sin. Unworthy. So unworthy. He slowed almost to a stop, fearing he would collapse in disgrace and humiliation."

Yet Jesus tells him, "No, no," and even leans forward, smiling, reaching for Rayford. Here comes a good part:

"[Rayford] dropped to his knees at Jesus' feet, sobbing, reminded of every sin and shortcoming of his entire life. Loving hands gathered him in, and he was drawn to Jesus' bosom. 'Rayford, Rayford, how I have looked forward to and longed for this day.'"

Can you imagine yourself in Rayford's shoes here? Finally getting to see your Saviour face to face, and realising just how unworthy you are to be there, yet He reaches out and carries you to Him. I get goosebumps when I think about this! I've often longed for the day I get to see Jesus face to face, sometimes so much it hurts. There's a song by Chris Rice called "Smile (Just Want to Be with You)" that I find perfectly captures that feeling:



But to think that Jesus feels the same way!!! Can you hear Jesus singing this song about seeing us? Blows my mind...

1 comment:

  1. I know what you mean when you say that you long to see Jesus Face-to-face. When I think about that possibility, I'm overwhelmed with emotions and I could see myself reacting like the boy you described in the story. Though I can't exactly predict my actual actions, though I'm sure lots and lots and lots of tears will be involved. The first thing I would want is a lovingly embrace that I've been longing for. The spiritual embrace that I feel throughout my days is great too, don't get me wrong, it's more powerful than anything I've ever experienced.

    I think though, that a face to face meeting with Jesus for me would be powerful just in the sense of the deep personal connection He would have with me that no one else does or ever could. Because I'm a person who gets emotionally attached easily I would assume I would be quite emotional in my meeting with Jesus.

    As you described as you were writing of your longing to meet Him, I too have feelings of great intensity, happiness and excitment mainly, something that is so pure that I can't even do justice to try to explain it with words.

    This is an experience I'm definitely looking forward to...

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