Virginia Tech and Heaven's Gates

In the dramatic presentation, Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames, there are examples of people, believers and unbelievers, dying and facing the reality of eternity. Some die of natural causes, others in accidents or drug overdoses. But the events at Virginia Tech this week remind us that many people die just as unexpectantly at the hands of violent perpetrators.

I wonder how many of those people that were gunned down in their classroom entered eternity to join Christ in Heaven. I wonder how many found themselves face to face with the reality that they would give an account of their sins -- without the benefit of Christ's blood to satisfy God's wrath.

Suddenly, in just a moment, people who rejected the witness of their college friends, or used to laugh at old high school buddies for their faith, found themselves remembering the opportunities that they will never have again.

In just a moment any of us can be gone from this natural dimension and find ourselves in the next, supernatural dimension. If you know Christ in this dimension you will find safety and security in the next dimension; but if you reject Christ now, all you will have are regrets compounded by eternal punishment for your sin.

We must find a way to get as many of our friends to know Christ as we can -- just in case another Virginia Tech, or car accident, or disease catches up with them. There's no time to waste.

After Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames

The numbers after 3 a three day crusade: 74 Professions of Faith; 47 Recommitments to Christ. God has certainly been good to us. How? By allowing us to be a useful vessel in His service! What a blessing to see so many respond to the reality of eternity.

The show, Mission Impossible, always starts out like this: “Your assignment, Mr. Phelps, should you decide to accept it is…”

Mr. Phelps, the leader of a special task force, would receive instructions via a recorded message. Three things always struck me about this:
1. The goal of the assignment is clearly stated;
2. How the goal is achieved is up to Mr. Phelps and his team;
3. Mr. Phelps has the option of refusing the assignment.

Jesus clearly defined the goal of the church (that would be you and me): “Be my witnesses” and “make disciples”.

So now, after Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames, we have an assignment to complete. First, we will follow up and encourage them to stay close to Jesus, to be baptized, and to read their Bible. But we must also provide a loving, nurturing fellowship in which they can grow.

So, “Hello church member. Your assignment, should you decide to accept it is to take a loving role of service, support, and unity in order to help new, and not-so-new, believers become disciples.”

How you do that is up to you — but you must do it. \O/