The Bridge is Out!

There are many roads in this world, and on these roads there are many signs that provide all kinds of information; including directions, advice, advertisements, and warnings.  We read them and to our betterment, obey them.  When we don’t, we put ourselves and others on the road at risk.  For instance, speed limit signs; they are everywhere and they serve as a warning to us to stay within the speed limit for our safety and the safety of others.  The universal speed limit for the entire world is ‘one must not travel faster that what is safe for present conditions.’  If we drive too fast, than we will not be able to make the necessary changes when the moment comes, and then inertia takes over, many times to the detriment of the speeder and their victims.  Signs are there to warn us, to help us, to guide us as we travel. As we read and obey, so our safety will be more secure in our travels.  Unfortunately this is not an end all statement as too many people read the signs but they don’t obey them. 

We are all on a road called life, for some, this road is broad, wide, and there’s plenty of room.  These are those who are as secure in their status as they can be for this life. They have a good retirement or a good retirement plan.  They have done well for themselves, they live in a secure home in a secure neighborhood, They have plenty of resources and are not concerned in the least about life, the future, or even their own demise.  While the world may look at these people and say, ‘Wow, they’ve got it made.’  God’s Word has another viewpoint:

“And He (Jesus) said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” ¹⁶ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ ²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”    

          – Luke 12:15-21

• The word ‘covetousness’ is basically wanting something that someone else has, be it money, people, or resources.  What the Lord wants from us is to trust in Him completely, and not in our ability to care for ourselves or insulate our future through our savings and such.  He wants us to trust in Him!

Too many people are not concerned about the future, but they should be.  Too many others who have a faith in God through Jesus, are concerned, but they shouldn’t be. It’s a weird paradox, but one that is as unfortunate as it is true.  When everything crashes, the Church, I believe, will not be here, but raptured away into Heaven as part of God’s plan for His bride, and also for those left behind.

There are many signs about the coming crisis and impending doom that is on the horizon.  While people can feel the tension (negative energy) and can see the signs, they are not sure what they are to do about it.  True Christians can see the signs and they know what to do because they have done it; placing their faith in Jesus. He is the only way.  As we pass the sign that says, ‘Danger: Bridge Out Ahead!’ we can be confident that when we get there, we will be whisked across the chasm and into the safety of the Lord’s loving arms.  It reminds me of the Back to the Future III clip when Marty McFly drives the DeLorean across the ravine where a bridge would later be built.  We’re living in that time now and we’re on this side of the broken bridge; but God is our hope.

Jesus said it this way, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”                                    – Luke 21:28

• While one will need to read the entire chapter to get the proper context, the key phrase here is that when ‘all of these things begin to happen, look up, lift up your heads.’ Why?   Because your redemption (the Rapture) is near.  We are that close.

Paul said it this way, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.”                                    – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

• If ever there were a passage of hope for such times as we are living in right now it would be this one. 

I get that people are scared and many Christians are unsettled, but we must keep our center and our focus on Jesus, who allowed us to be alive for such a time and event as this; the Rapture.

The bridge on the road of this life is out, even unbelievers can see it.  Our trust and faith is not in the bridge, but the Word of God, this is the Christ.  While we travel this sod, we know it’s a temporary ride and when that temporary is defined, our faith must rise to the occasion and prepare our spirit for departure from this world and into Heaven.

Jesus said it this way, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult (confined) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”                                                                                                            – Matthew 7:13,14  

• The road that believers travel is confined and treacherous, but it’s the road Christians must use if they are to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  The Lord never told us that this life would be easy, He only said that it would be worth it.

Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and encouraged the disciples in the faith.

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” ²³ So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”            – Acts 14:21-23

• We too should be preaching the gospel and encouraging others in the faith.  We will have tribulations at times in this life, but through Christ, we can overcome them and enter into the kingdom of God.

Be encouraged brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Christ is near and will soon rapture His Church home because the bridge is out. Until then, we must be faithful (full of faith) and intentional in doing God’s will in these last days, whatever that might look like.  I encourage you in your faith and challenge you to have a faith in God by repenting of your sin, calling out to God for His forgiveness, and by faith, live for Him each day, for the rest of this life.  This is the gospel; it’s only through Jesus that we can be saved. Be strong in the Lord!

Maranatha!

Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri.  He lives with his wife of 33-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren).  Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate.  He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.