Rapture Advent of the Last Days

by Jocolby Phillips

  “Yes, a part of me believes it. Truthfully, I am having a hard time seeing beyond my own pain to accept God. But this,” Christopher replied, pointing out his window to the destruction below, “is part of a plan I’ve heard Erin and others speak of many times. What we see today and what lies ahead started with the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and according to Rev will end with Jesus’ second coming. We missed the free gift Jesus Christ offered us to escape the troubles to come.”

  “Then how can you sit there and know that with such certainty and still not accept God? It seems to me that we need Him now more than ever,” Jackson asserted.

  Christopher couldn’t answer because he hadn’t been able to answer that question for years. He only knew that he trusted himself and not God right now. “Look, I am here for you, but I am still working things out with God, so give me some details on the mission.”

  “Fair enough, but I know I am going to figure out God because I have no reason to doubt His existence from what I see. The mission is to rescue the president’s daughter, and possibly the first and second ladies from a separatist faction of the Brazilian military. They are likely being held at the Brazilan president’s ranch retreat outside Brasilia. We fly out from Andrews Air Base at 1900 tonight.”

  “So what else did Colonel Delmar have to say?”

  “He’s dead, a suicide. Gabriella is the commander of Omega Group and will meet us ahead of our departure at Andrews.”

  * * *

  Christopher was shocked to hear the news about Colonel Delmar, but he knew that the tragedy of missing the rapture was only the beginning of sorrows. He realized that many around him would likely die before the return of Christ, maybe even himself. The two of them sat in silence for the remainder of the trip, pondering the days ahead.

  “The car heading to Andrews will meet us here at 1600, so I will meet you in the hotel lobby then. I’m heading up to my room for some sleep,” Christopher told Jackson.

  Yeah, that’ll work. I’ll see you at 1600,” Jackson replied.

  “Good day, Mr. Williams. Glad to see you weren’t caught up in the disappearances,” the hotel receptionist greeted him.

  “I don’t know how good it was to be left out,” Jackson commented drily.

  “Excuse me, sir?”

  “Nothing. Can I have a key to my room, please? I just need to sleep for a few hours.”

  “I am sorry, sir. We thought you had disappeared so your belongings were collected and the room cleared. Please wait one second, and I will get your things,” the hotel receptionist promised before disappearing through a door behind the desk and returning a moment later. “Okay, sir, I will bring the rest of your luggage up to your room in a few minutes, but here is your backpack.”

  “Look, ma’am, if you bring out my suitcase, I will lug it up to my room. I understand everyone is shorthanded right now. I promise I won’t report you to the management.”

  “Thank you so much, sir,” the receptionist said gratefully as she left again to retrieve Jackson’s bag from an overflowing luggage room. “Here you go. You’re all set.”

  “Thanks,” Jackson responded. What he was most anxious to do besides sleep was read through Rev’s journal about the topic of salvation and what he could expect next.

  Jackson threw his backpack on the bed and pulled out Rev’s Bible and journal. He was grateful that Rev kept such detailed notes, and he quickly found a section on “getting saved.” He noted that Rev had outlined four parts to receiving the gift of salvation, paid for by Christ Jesus. The overview started in a blunt and upfront manner, conveying Rev’s personality throughout his notes.

  Jackson began reading in an attempt to end his confusion and satisfy his longing to know God. Rev had seemingly styled his notes in a manner especially suited for a critic or unbeliever like Jackson.

  Rev started by explaining what salvation was: “Salvation is being acquitted from the righteous judgment of God for our sins. The answer is, ‘Yes, you are!’ Because I know you’re likely thinking, ‘Well, I am a virtuous person and do good things for others, so I am a not evil or a sinner.’ But you are! You are wondering how God could punish good people like you, but God does not compare us to people around us. We like to compare ourselves to our friends or loves ones or the people on the news, while God compares all of us to His standard—the standard of His own perfect holiness. God is entirely just; He is wholly moral and righteous in all He does and applies that standard to all of us, which we all fall short of each day.” Rev’s words caused Jackson to feel uncomfortable as he thought about his own life.

  He continued reading. “We have all sinned at some point in our lives, and thus can never on our own meet the perfect standard of God’s holiness.”

  Jackson was starting to realize that his standard of seeing himself as a good, moral man had always been short of the mark. At this moment, reading Rev’s words, he felt condemned and hopeless about ever being able to receive Jesus Christ as his savior.

  He continued reading Rev’s exposition on why humanity needed redeeming from the curse of sin. “We are all sinners in God’s eyes.” It was like Rev was sitting next to Jackson in the hotel room as the journal text answered his questions almost as soon as they entered his mind.

  “You may ask why God views all of humanity as sinners with such cold objectivity. The reason is that all of us, every person who has ever followed our first parents Adam and Eve, inherited a deadly condition called a sin nature, or a proclivity to commit sins. When God told Adam if he ate of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden of Eden that he would die, yet he spared Adam and Eve, that is our first recorded example of His mercy and love for all humanity. He rightly could have killed Adam and Eve; instead He commuted their physical death for hundreds of years. However, spiritually they remained dead. Spiritual death, which is being separated from the provision and presence of God, required a remedy that God knew humanity was unable to provide by our own merits. The disobedience of humanity’s progenitors Adam and Eve created a ‘sin genetic marker’ in all their descendants and the environment around humanity.”

  Jackson chuckled at the follow-up question and the answer Rev had provided. “So where does our understanding that sin is a part of everyone and cannot be removed through our actions and goodness leave us? The answer is, it places us in a position to accept that God loved us so much that instead of destroying the human species and starting over, He implemented a plan to redeem us and our relationship with Him. While you as a critic or unbeliever may not like God’s plan to save us and the relationship with Him that was lost, remember that we’re the created beings, not the Creator. He is not seeking our approval of His plan for redemption. We are not God, and His ways are not our ways. All God asks is for you and me to place our trust in Him and what He has already done to save us from sin. God’s holiness demands a perfect atonement plan to cover the sin of humanity. For generations following Adam and Eve, animals were brought to God as an appeasement to His judgment, but these were imperfect substitutes for man’s sins. We needed a perfect sacrifice, a sacrifice that had lived and struggled as we do in facing the temptations of life. We needed a sacrifice that, despite living daily in a sin-filled environment, overcame everything we face in life so that the perfect Holiness of God could be met and humanity could be reconciled back to God.”

  Overwhelmed with the story of salvation, Jackson could not stop the tears from flowing as he continued reading the notes. “The overarching story of the Bible is a love story between a Holy God and His broken and beloved children, to save us from the judgment God’s justness demands for sin. God so loved us that He allowed His only Son to lower Himself to live as one who was created, which is the greatest mystery in the story of humanity. God the Son, Jesus Christ, was born, lived, and died as a man in divine perfection, willingly sacrificing His life for every person who has lived or ever will live, thus ensuring the broken relationship between God and humanity was restored f
or those willing to place their hope and trust in Jesus.”

  The journal entry continued. “Christianity is like no other religion because its core centers on a relationship between God and humanity. We need to understand that it is what God did for us, not anything we can do in this life to garner God’s love, that brings us into fellowship with God and each other. The Bible says in Romans 5:8: ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ The fact that Jesus hung suspended between Earth and Heaven on a wooden cross, suffering and dying in our rightful place, without making any requirements of us—like demanding a pilgrimage or spending a certain amount on the poor or any other prerequisites—for His sacrifice, tells us the value each of us has in God’s economy. Jesus died knowing that many of us would never accept His sacrifice, that many people would never live a life aimed at pleasing Him. Yet He still died to give every person the opportunity to be saved from judgment someday.”

  Tears soaked Jackson’s T-shirt as he read on through Rev’s guide to salvation. “So many people wrongly view God as the angry grandfather-figure playing whack-a-mole with all of us. This mischaracterization of God leads many to feel that there is no way they could ever be forgiven by God because of the lives they have lived. We too often mistakenly judge God by our human perceptions of fairness, not realizing that God loves us beyond description within the bounds of His unwavering holiness. The Bible tells us clearly that there is nothing God is unwilling to forgive, besides not accepting His offer of salvation. If we accept the gift of salvation that Christ Jesus offers, Romans 8:1 says, ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’”

  As Jackson approached the last paragraphs of Rev’s notes on being saved, he not only realized his need for Jesus as His Savior but also had a better appreciation for how much God loved him.

  He continued reading. “Now that you understand what salvation is, what we are saved from, who redeems us, and for what purpose, you’re ready to receive and live out God’s gift of salvation for your life. Remember, salvation resides in Jesus’ efforts and life, nothing else. Salvation is graciously given as a priceless gift that is unmerited, but made so simple to obtain that even a child cannot fail to understand.”

  As Jackson read the call to salvation that Rev had written, he rolled off the bed and onto his knees, reading aloud, “If you’re ready to accept God’s mercy and plan to bring you back into a loving relationship with Him, no matter what you’ve done or said, repeat this prayer after me. ‘God, I confess that I am broken, having lived a sinful life. I am asking for and in need of Your forgiveness and merciful restoration. I confess with my mouth that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and Jesus rose from the grave having authority over death, the grave, and Hell, which gives me eternal life through Him. I ask You to be the Lord over my life, and in Jesus’ name, I pray to You, Father, Amen. (See Romans 10:9–10.)” With that, Rev’s salvation notes concluded.

  Jackson felt compelled to add to his prayer, saying, “And, God, please help me, and help others in the days ahead. Amen.”

  * * *

  Jackson could not describe the sensation that overtook his body, but a tremendous sense of peace invaded him. It felt like he had just apologized to and been forgiven by an estranged friend. He wiped the tears from his eyes and showered. As he laid down for some much-needed sleep, he drifted off with one thought running through His mind. Thank you, Jesus.

  Christopher was awakened by the new cell phone that Jackson had provided him, the usual Pentagon operations center number flashing across the display. “Hello.”

  “I am sorry to wake you, but I needed to relay something to you ahead of us meeting up at Andrews,” Gabriella said.

  “Nah, it’s okay. So what’s up?”

  “There is no easy way to say this…Jackson’s wife and daughters are dead.”

  “What? How do you know that?” Christopher demanded, sitting up on the bed.

  “The staff and I are starting to get into a rhythm here. I had the intelligence folks scrubbing hospital admittance records and transportation manifests to confirm the disposition of the other team members, considering the team was on a seventy-two-hour pass when the disappearances hit. Long story short, Jackson’s wife Sarah and his five- and eight-year-old girls Sadie and Kate were on a flight bound for D.C. that crashed halfway between Tampa and here,” Gabriella stated flatly.

  “Well, at least Jackson’s daughters are in a better place.”

  “What, how can you say that, Chris?”

  “I just have a feeling that they were taken with the other children who are missing from all around the world.”

  “Yeah, but no one is sure where all these people have gone.”

  “Gabriella, there is a plausible answer. God raptured the Church, including those that were mentally incapable of deciding if they wanted to have a relationship with Him or not—like young children and those with special mental needs.”

  “I’ve heard that theory, but I’m not sure I understand it or even want to accept it. It seems you have.”

  “I am comfortable with it because it’s the closest explanation to the reality I see all around me. I lost some folks that literally staked their lives on believing in God. I am working toward trusting Him,” Christopher returned in a matter-of-fact tone.

  “Well, it is logically a theory worth me exploring, but not now. Look, I think you are best suited to break the news to Jackson. Just let me know if we need to pull him from the mission.”

  “I’ll tell him, but I would be shocked if he wouldn’t want to be on the mission. We will see you in a couple of hours.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Christopher called Jackson and asked him to meet downstairs a little early. He was a little concerned that Jackson agreed so quickly, saying he had to tell Christopher something unbelievable. Christopher wondered if it was possible that someone else had broken the news about his family to him already.

  About an hour later, Jackson met Christopher in the hotel lobby. “Hey there, bossman. Ready for another adventure?”

  “I am ready for saving the Omega Group name. But, Jackson, I need to tell you something first.”

  “Well, before you dump a downer on my day, let me tell you some great news first. I got saved.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me right. I asked Jesus to save me. I am a fully certified believer in Jesus Christ, just a day too late it seems, but better late than never, right, brother?” Jackson perceived the raised eyebrows and pursed lips of Christopher as disapproval of his admission. “I thought you would be more happy for me, even if you’re struggling with accepting God right now.”

  “It’s not that, Jackson. That is great news, man. I am happy for you. It just makes what I have to tell you that much harder.”

  “Look, man, bad news doesn’t get better with time, so just hit me with it,” Jackson said stoically.

  “Sarah and your girls were on a flight bound for D.C.—likely to surprise you—but the plane went down during the disappearances. There were no survivors. Gabriella found your family’s names on the downed flight’s manifest. I am so sorry, Jackson,” Christopher murmured softly.

  Jackson pulled his ball cap down over his face and Christopher watched helplessly as his shoulders heaved with brokenhearted sobs. The few folks in the lobby took little notice of the scene—it seemed that tears and pain were just becoming the new normal.

  “God, help me understand. I have put my trust in You, so please help me through this,” Jackson prayed quietly.

  “Jackson, I don’t know anything to say that I think will help. Just know I am here for you, whatever you need,” Christopher promised.

  “I am grateful the news came from you. I wish I could have said good-bye, but I know that at least my daughters are in Heaven, but Sarah…” Jackson’s voice trailed off sadly.

  “Jackson, as you just found out, all it takes is a prayer to be saved no matter what we
have done. Just think about what you did in your hotel room. When you get a chance, look at the story of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. All he ever did in his life that mattered was asked to be saved, and Jesus said, ‘This day you will be with me in paradise.’ Sarah could have prayed for salvation in the last moments. Just hold on to that.”

  “Thanks, bro. I am new to this whole God thing, but I have no place else to turn. I’m going to believe I will see them all again one day,” Jackson said, his chest heaving as he drew in a deep breath as though to fortify himself to go on. “Christopher, I know you’re not ready to mend your fences with God, but it seems to me you’re trying to keep your pain as a badge of honor. You seem to know at least enough about God to accept Him in your life as your savior, but instead you want to deny God like it’s hurting Him instead of you. I am sorry, man, but I just want you to be okay.”

  “Thanks, Jackson. I mean really, I appreciate your thoughts, but…” Christopher couldn’t even muster the words to argue.

  “Look, I get it. You don’t have to say anything else. Brother, I don’t know what else to do right now besides work, so let’s get to it,” Jackson said, rising to his feet.

  * * *

  Gabriella waited nervously for Christopher and hopefully Jackson to arrive at the executive terminal lounge at Andrews Air Base. She was grateful to see both men walking toward her. “Hey, guys. It’s good to see you both. Jackson, please know that your family, and you, are in my thoughts. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.”

  “Thanks, Gabriella,” Jackson replied. “I am holding on to the hope that they’re in a much better place now.”

  “In any case, I just wanted to provide you all a few coordinating details and see the team off,” she explained. Then she called a group of eight men who had been conversing with the other two members of Omega. She introduced the men in turn to their new team leader and team sergeant.Jackson interrupted the last introduction, saying flatly, “John Barnes.”