I was deeply moved by a Terry James’ article recently titled, “Warning the Clueless.” We all deal with them—the clueless and unaware. Many are clueless by choice! His point was that we as “watchmen on the wall,” who know what’s coming, must warn clueless people—Christians and non-Christians—that time is running out.
As Terry says, “These believers are not being taught about Christ’s return—about the rapture—from most pastors in most pulpits. This is a neglected teaching in even well-known evangelical church bodies today.”
Terry continues, “When Christians truly understand the nearness of the call from Jesus Christ, many will have a spiritual, holy fire ignited within their desires. They’ll then earnestly want to bring as many of the lost into the family of God as possible, seeing that the time is short.
“We must warn the clueless—that is, reach out to the lost and to fellow believers who need to be clued in to where we stand on God’s prophetic timeline.”
Why Won’t They Listen?
Yes, we’ve all shared this angle of apologetics with loved ones, with neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers. And yes, we’ve been received in multiple ways: anger, skepticism, confusion, irritation, and the familiar, “there you go again.”
We’ve quoted Bible verses, some already know but perhaps interpret differently. We’ve talked to people who love God with all their heart, but believe the naysayers who say, “There is no rapture in the Bible, and sure, the Lord will come back some day—decades away. Let’s make the most of today. Let’s live for today and let God deal with tomorrow.”
I’ve personally talked to a neighbor who was married to a man who had recently passed away. He was a strong rapture believer. She thought the idea was just about as strange a concept as she could imagine! Out of respect to her husband, she let me remind her that someday it actually would happen. If she’s still here, she’ll join the “left behind” brigade, and it won’t be a pretty picture.
They Can’t Say They Weren’t Warned
She remained in her skepticism, smiled, and assured me that if that happened, she would rescue my pets just in case they were left behind! But the bottom line, in spite of the cautionary words, she couldn’t imagine a nuttier concept than Jesus appearing in the clouds to call His beloved church home. Well, it comforted me to know that I had issued a warning, and if she is a part of that “left behind” community, she can’t say she wasn’t warned! That is absolutely all God expects of us. And she will likely be among those who get saved in the Tribulation.
Why Us?
If you, as a rapture-watcher, are like me, you are asking why you have the privilege of grasping the plan of “things to come” in the Bible, while the vast majority of people remain in utter cluelessness!
Some of us—myself included—had the privilege of attending a church in my youth that proclaimed this from the pulpit faithfully! Others have had a loving family member—many people report of a grandmother—who had this truth in her heart and shared it over and over.
Some came upon a classic book that woke them up. How many did Hal Lindsey’s “The Late-Great Planet Earth” shake up and wake up? Eternity will tell! That book allowed eschatology to make sense to me as a very young adult—and a confused one at that.
But in one quick read of Lindsey’s book, so much of my life came together, and I got a call on my life: Tell the world that the King is coming! And even as a young person, I realized not everyone would accept that message.
You Were Once Clueless, too!
As Terry James concludes in his excellent article, “When Christians truly understand the nearness of the call from Jesus Christ, many will have a spiritual, holy fire ignited within their desires. They’ll then earnestly want to bring as many of the lost into the family of God as possible, seeing that the time is short.
As Terry James says, “We must warn the clueless—that is, reach out to the lost and to fellow believers who need to be clued in to where we stand on God’s prophetic timeline.”
Be really honest: You were clueless at one time, too. Either you knew nothing about God’s plan of salvation or of His plan for the end-of-the-age. Then someone told you the truth. They likely took a risk. But it paid off for eternity. Just as enlightening was learning of all of the things to come!
People Love Their Ignorance —It’s Safer
Sadly, some will never accept your warnings. Some choose to remain clueless. Some will cut you off, weary of your mantra. They will face the agonies of the Tribulation, but they were warned. The first warning should be about salvation and eternal life. The second assignment in my world is to get the naysayers to look up and await His return.
If the pulpits won’t do it, then who? Maybe you. Maybe do it today. We are so running out of time.
