I had two dreams that came in tandem last week. The first was situated in a large hotel where Anita and I were staying. The first scene was with many people milling around in the hallways. As the dream proceeded, soon there were far fewer. They had not gone to their rooms but simply disappeared. I realized that they were taken in the Rapture and I was left behind. I then wondered “where is Anita?”She had not been in the hall. I could not remember our room number and was about to go down to the front desk when I awoke.
The second dream was at a meeting with many people in a large hall. Then most of the people disappeared leaving a group of perhaps thirty who huddled together. I was among them. Again I realized that I had been left behind. Thank God for these dreams!
When I awoke from the second dream I prayed to know why I might be left behind. A small voice whispered “Obama”. I immediately knew what this meant. I had been maligning the President in my mind for some time I did not like what I believed he was doing to our country. Then my thoughts roved to a testimony I had read about a lady visiting hell with Jesus. She saw a woman she knew and admired. This woman in hell had done much for her church and community. She asked the Lord why this woman was in hell. Jesus explained that though she was a good person she had sinned by holding a grudge against one of her relatives. Not forgiving someone is enough to keep you out of Heaven!
So I immediately thought of what I had harbored about Obama. I realized that my feelings went beyond criticizing his actions as President, but also was disdain for him personally. We are commanded to honor our leaders even if we don’t like their actions (1 Peter 2:17,Hebrews 13:17) and to love everyone including those we think are enemies (Matthew 5:44). So I took the time in bed and the next morning to remove all bad thoughts about him personally and to ask for forgiveness. It is not our job to judge others. God judges us all eventually. Otherwise this seemingly small sin could have kept me out of Heaven. (Leviticus 19:18) “Don’t be too sure” that we qualify for Heaven if we harbor unforgiveness.
Over the last few years I had searched my memory for instances of ill feelings about others. As one came to mind, I thought carefully about the person and realized that I should no longer hold a grudge. I asked for forgiveness and thereafter only remembered the good about that person. But occasionally I do find myself disliking a person and holding a grudge. This has only been against a politician though and I now know this only hurts me. I have found ways to love all others.
Getting past the hurdle of grudges, we must consider if we will make it to Heaven. Have we asked forgiveness of other sins including any harm we might have done to another? Have we taken the only path to Heaven by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior? Is Jesus the center of our life and do we love Him above all else? Are we doing our best to live as He taught in His Word, the Bible? If we are not sure, pray for guidance. God’s Spirit was given to followers of Jesus to help us be ready for the Lord’s coming. He has warned us that there is not much time. Can we be certain that we will be here even tomorrow, due to happenings beyond our control, or His coming for His faithful? We cannot count on this, so we must do all we can NOW to be ready.