Left Behind

Left Behind

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to be left behind.”

All those who left Egypt when they were over twenty years old were left behind, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb. All of them died in the desert despite the fact that their sins had been forgiven. Num. 14:20. Why did they not enter in? Because they would not believe! They would not believe when they were supposed to start fighting. Not believing God, they thought of themselves as little grasshoppers that were supposed to overcome these huge giants. However, Joshua and Caleb believed God, and they wanted to fight.

Joshua was not able to lead them into rest. He led them into the land, but he could not lead them into rest. Again the reason was that they were not faithful in their battle against the enemy. Judg. 2:3-4. They subdued the enemies and enslaved them, but they did not obey the order to destroy them, which is why they never had rest from them.

One of the promises we have is that Jesus will come and take us to Himself. Then we will be at rest together with the saints “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.” 2 Thess. 1:7. The promise of meeting Jesus in the clouds and then always being together with Him means that we enter into rest in the deepest sense of the word. All those who have left Egypt, who have turned away from the world and have experienced the forgiveness of their sins, need this exhortation: “Let us fear lest any of you seem to be left behind.” Those who say, “Lord, Lord!” but don’t do His will, will be left behind.

Why are they left behind? They are left behind for the same reason. They do not want to fight. They do not have faith to overcome their passions and desires, and Paul repeats this powerful exhortation to the Galatians.

After mentioning a number of the works of the flesh, he continues with “envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Ch. 5:19-21. When Paul says that he told them beforehand, he was thinking of the rapture. He could still say it beforehand so that they could gain the victory before Jesus came. Even today we can say it beforehand. You ask what is it that is required to be along in the rapture? Paul has stated it plainly in so many words.

It is the bride who will be raptured, and she is the heir. We have to enter into rest if we want to be along in the rapture. We have to take up a battle so that sin is overcome. This is the point on which many have seemingly been left behind. Of course they do believe in the forgiveness of sins, but they do not believe in victory. Some of them fight up to a point, but they are not faithful to resist to bloodshed. Heb. 12:4.

“For we who have believed do enter that rest . . . .” There is no rest for a person unless he has victory over sin. There is no rest in Galatians 5:19-21, but there is rest when we enter into verse 22 where milk and honey flow. That is the fruit of the Spirit. “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.” Paul puts it like this: “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of unbelief.” Col. 3:5-6.

Rest enters in when these things are put to death. We are to be raptured before God’s wrath is poured out over the sons of unbelief, just as Noah was saved. Therefore we must gain the victory over the things in which the sons of unbelief are living. “Noah was a just man, blameless in his generations.” Gen. 6:9. Living in the flesh is like living in the desert, whereas living in the Spirit is like living in the Promised Land.

See to it that you are not left behind. This exhortation has been given to you beforehand: “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” 1 John 2:28.