WHAT SHOULD WE DO BEFORE GOING TO HEAVEN? 

We don’t know when we will be taken by Jesus and we won’t know until the instant it happens. It is most important to be ready at all times for His coming. It is also urgent that our work continue to try to bring others to Him. Besides those vital points, is there anything else we should be doing? Some people say that all we can do about it is wait. But, somewhat similar to decisions in business, those who only wait have to accept whatever happens. Often, planning ahead can be beneficial.

We are told that if we have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are already experiencing Heaven. However after we are actually taken to Heaven, we don’t know if we will be able to observe or have any affect back home. We can’t count on this anyway. With this in mind, can we think of anything we should do before we leave this earth? I am not talking about spiritual work, as we should be doing what we can to bring others to Jesus all the time.

We don’t know if anyone will be left behind among our loved ones and our dearest friends. So we can’t know what will happen to our possessions. I suppose we should not be concerned about these physical things. Perhaps, though, some thought should be given on how those left behind might get some value from them. We might think about this.

What if not one person named in our will is left behind? This is our most precious prayer of course. In this case, should we consider a change in our will to leave to our church or charities everything not claimed by persons named in our will? (We did this).  If this were done, and if any form of law and order remains so that a will could be honored, then the estate might be used for good purposes.

The Book of Revelation in the Bible tells us that those left behind will go through a seven year period of the Tribulation after Jesus comes in the clouds and takes His faithful ones to Heaven. Especially during the latter half of the seven years, there will be terrible times for these folks. Individuals won’t be able to spend what money they have unless they take the mark of Satan and abandon God. What about institutions like churches and charities, will they be able to use their resources to help those in need? I believe that they will at least for a while.

We are also told that after those that have pledged their lives to Christ are taken to Heaven, this will remove much of the moral character of the world. But we also are told that it is not enough to be a good person. Unless a person has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they will not be saved and will be taken up to Heaven in the clouds, regardless of how good a life they have led. This leads one to believe then that a large number of good people will be left behind. Perhaps then there will be enough law abiding citizens to keep some measure of order, at least at first.

There will be massive ransacking of buildings and homes during the Tribulation. Should we do anything to warn those left behind about this? What should we tell them and how? Right now we have the protection of law enforcement, and some people have weapons in their homes. Should every home be equipped and people trained to use the weapons? Likely it is too late for this even if it were a good idea. Many of those living by themselves may be too weak to protect themselves. Also, if they have never used a firearm, it is unlikely that they would pay attention to a message about personal protection.

What if one of our loved ones is left behind and could live in our home? Should they? We won’t be here to help or advise them. Is there anything we should tell them now? Especially in the latter half of the Tribulation, will institutions like power and water facilities be able to operate to keep utilities flowing? (Likely Not).  If not it will be less desirable to be in our home. Then, the physical structure will only provide shelter and not much else.

What will our investments in stocks and bonds be worth during the Tribulation? It is difficult to imagine that even the best corporations that we know today will be profitable. There will be fewer people for them to serve. We cannot even be sure that they will continue to exist. Their securities are likely to be devalued or worst case, be worthless. Should we liquidate them now? If so, what should we do with the money?

These thoughts may be interesting, but the main concern is how those left behind will even survive in a world largely controlled for several years by Satan? Unless they take the mark 666 of Satan, their ability to survive will be problematical. Their money will be useless, so getting food from stores will not be possible. The farms in our area will likely be overrun with people seeking sustenance. Thus no one can depend on getting anything that way.

Although this will be terrible and so sad, those left behind must not take the mark of Satan, pledge to the devil or worship him. Whatever deprivation or torture they have to endure will be only a tiny price compared with being saved from an eternity in hell.