Regarding The 7 Churches of Asia Minor

I have been studying Daniel, Revelations and Ezekiel off and on for the past 6 months. I am starting to understand why I am so compelled to go around and shake people by the shoulders and say, "Wake up. Wake up."

It appears as if it is possible that only 2 of the 7 churches (as a whole, in their entirety) will qualify for the rapture while the lukewarm saints remain on this earth for the great testing of man. Remember, it will be as a thief in the night with no time to go get more oil. Two in the field side by side, one goes and one stays; then, two in a bed and one goes while the other is left behind. Look at Smyrna and Philadelphia. God has only commendation for them and no complaint. Though faithful few from the other churches could rapture, those churches are exhorted to repent and truly hear what the Spirit is saying to the 7 churches.

I personally am secure in my relationship with Christ and am sold out, growing in grace and knowledge and I pray with out ceasing and daily for all the saints. As a fruit inspector, all my christian friends and associates are sold out to Jesus. It is my neighbor (in this city or that city) who needs to hear the truth about Jesus, and it is unloving to withhold the truth from them.

The angel of the church of Smyrna commends these believers for travailing through great suffering and then tribulation persecution for 10 days. What if the 7 year period of the great tribulation actually begins 10 days before the rapture? When Jesus was on this earth, He said He didn't know the day or the hour. What if He knows now because He is ascended? The last book is actually the Revelation of Jesus Christ as given to Him by His Father and revealed to John. Even John, like Daniel, was given revelation he was not to write down. Revelation only for himself from Jesus.

Regardless, I desire to be God's best friend, like John. I know He is my best friend. I desire to Know and Understand, to be Wise and have the Fear of the Lord just as the sevenfold Spirit spoken in Revelations and cross referenced in Isaiah.

I'm getting to know a gal who is not living her life for God and though she is born again and has a head full of knowledge. I explained to her how she might possibly not qualify to be raptured (one of the virgins who did not have adequate oil in their lamp) and would only realize this when it was too late to repent and re-establish her relationship by giving Jesus all her devotion. The words coming out of my mouth were stern but loving, serious yet full of hope and encouragement. It's not yet too late for her to repent. Today is the day of salvation.

All God had against the church of Ephesus was they lost their first love. Could it be they will have to remain for the great time of testing for all who dwell upon the earth during the great tribulation unless they repent and be restored? Know anyone who is luke warm? Yikes!! They could definitely be playing Russian Roulette with their chances to be spared from that terrible day. What if many who have their name written in the lamb's book of life will fail to qualify and will have the eyes of their understanding opened only to see it when it is too late? Which of the 7 churches are you personally a member of? What about that person in your life whom you know would benefit from this warning? Is your love for God real enough to warn them? Unless they repent, they may have to endure until the end to be saved.