Salvation Cometh by Deadline

The predictions of the Lord’s coming for the church at the rapture have been proven wrong so many times it’s ridiculous and gives false signals that serve to only deflate or discourage those watching for his coming. And besides to set dates misses the whole point of the relationship God wants with those of us that seek him. There is no doubt there is a deadline for one getting him/herself ready to meet the Lord in the air but nobody knows what that deadline is and for a good reason. Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. This next scripture is the reason for this not being known. Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. The key word is “watch” and he goes on to say Luke 21:39 "And this know, that if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through." Can you imagine the procrastination that would take place if everyone could set their clocks or marked their calendars to the coming of the Lord? Is this the purpose of salvation? Salvation comes by putting on the nature of Christ through faith and experience not because of a looming deadline. There would be no need of building a loving relationship with God if all we were doing were avoiding the doom and gloom coming on planet earth. Do you think God wants a bunch of people in heaven that are there just because they wanted to escape so great of destruction on earth? No, God wouldn’t have us on a silver platter if this was the condition of our hearts toward him. After all, he created us with a free will to either live for Satan or live for him. One could live like a devil his/her whole life and just in the nick of time come on board to avoid going to an eternal unquenchable fire if they knew the exact date of his return that is if they didn’t die before the rapture. People would circle the day on their calendar, confident they had plenty of time to repent but this line of thought only reveals how carnal of a mindset this is because; James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow because what is your life? I t is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. So suffice it to say it is because of the mercy of God he didn’t reveal the exact day or hour of his coming.
The deadline for being ready for the rapture or catching away or the come up hither, whichever you prefer is when the door of opportunity for salvation for those who heard the Gospel but put it off until later slams shut forever. Here is a scriptural representation of those that chose to live in sin and neglect so great a salvation circled the date on their calendar to clean up their act in time to go in the rapture. Luke 13:25-28 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. In other words these are those that Matthew 15:8 draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honored me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Romans 10:3 for they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
The smart course is "Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 24:44) Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.
Note: In other words, the foolish virgins didn’t stay full of the spirit of God but let the lust of their flesh take precedence over the spirit. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which under extreme persecution or difficult times gives one a chance because it is only Matthew 24:13 he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. The foolish didn’t stay full or renew themselves with the spirit of God. Why is this necessary? Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Again we are born with a free will to do as we choose; Romans 8:5 for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:8 so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 9:8 That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God. Deuteronomy 11:13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. After all, God set forth the only acceptable way to be pleasing to him and that is Proverbs 3:5-7 trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil and understand Isaiah 55:8 my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Today thanks to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we can Philippians 2:5 let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus through the infilling of the baptism of the Holy Ghost to lead us in prayer and study of God’s word. John 14:26 but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps Matthew 25:7 then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps figurative for staying full of the spirit of God. Romans 13:14 but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (spirit of God), and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Galatians 5:16-17 this I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Proverbs 23:23 buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
In all that you do it is wise to think eternally because Matthew 12:36 but I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. Romans 14:12 so then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Since every child of God is a steward we certainly don’t want to be told or ask by the Lord, Luke 16:2 how is it that I hear this of thee give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
As it pertains to setting dates for the rapture of the church, the bottom line is it’s foolish and is why God doesn’t allow anyone to know the day or the hour of his coming. If you are one of those that can’t understand why he hasn’t come knowing there is nothing prophetically speaking to keep him from taking the church up in the clouds to meet him remind yourself of this; the scriptures say that "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2nd Peter 3:9)
The only deadline or expiration date that applies is when the door is shut that final time. Be wise and watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44