SUDDEN EXIT - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron 33-36
SUDDEN EXIT Saturday, July 24, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35) READ: Matthew 24:36-42 One message that the living should always have at the back of their heart is to ever be ready. One morning, our beloved Arch bishop Benson Idahosa woke up healthy. He made a call to his wife who was abroad. After their chat, he successfully conducted a powerful service and retired for lunch. Thereafter, he was talking with some of his guests when he slumped. Before they could reach him, he was gone. Our elders say that the death that killed your peer is sending a proverb to you. When someone who is physically fit, strong and energetic suddenly slumps, if you are wise, you will take it to heart and examine your own life and how prepared you are to face eternity. It is only God who can tell which of us will survive today. It is true from scripture that God may want to inform you of your home coming before hand. It is only God who can tell which of us will survive. Yes, He could even give a hint a few minutes to your departure. Whenever your time is up, may you be ready! Some years ago, God revealed how a professor in the University of Ibadan died. He and another professor were at a particular South African airport heading for different directions. While they chatted, the airbus that would convey the professor to Nigeria arrived, so they bade each other bye and he joined the queue. While waiting to board the plane, the Lord told him that if he took that flight, he would miss Heaven, but if he did not, he would go to Heaven. If given such options, which would you choose? The professor accepted going with the Lord and he immediately slumped and his spirit went to the land of eternal bliss. Such sudden departure can be the greatest news to the ever-ready believer but the saddest news to the careless, carefree believer. Matthew 24:42 warns us to watch and be on guard. It is not enough to pray. You must watch also. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says the rapture would come unannounced. It will be most sudden. If you are expecting to go with the rapture, you must always be ready. All pending restitutions must be made. Those you are grudging must be forgiven and released. Your life must be void of besetting sins. No sinful weight must tie you down. Any defect in character that the mirror of life shows you must not be swept under the carpet. It must be dealt with immediately. How prepared are you for death or the rapture? ACTION POINT: Days of grace and preparation periods have their expiry dates. Nobody knows whose period is about to expire. Be prepared!