How can you know if you are ready for the rapture?

At an increasing rate, the media is showing articles about how the end of time will come and when.

There have been programs referencing the writings of Nostradamus, Edgar Casey, the Mayan calendar, white buffalo and the Bible.

All of the predictions or prophesies seem to be coming to the conclusion that there are going to be serious changes for mankind soon. Some, such as the Mayan calendar, predict a specific date such as Dec. 12, 2012. Other predictions have no date of reference.

The question for the Christian is are you ready for the rapture if it happened today? Most Christians would initially say yes; however, before a person comes to that conclusion, some questions need to be asked and answered.

• Have you given your life to Christ unconditionally? Are you ready to accept whatever challenges come before you no matter what?

John 3:2-3: “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, ‘Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

Being a good person won’t do it, only following the law of God won’t do it. As the verse says, there is only one way.

• Is your primary focus in life based on Christian beliefs? In other words, reading and studying the Bible?

1 Timothy 4:15: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

Satin does not fear a person with a dusty Bible.

• Do you speak to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ only when you pray?

Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

• Do you fellowship with other Christians?

The word fellowship is used 15 times in the New Testament, and in almost all the cases it refers to keeping company or visiting with other Christians to strengthen your faith and theirs.

• Have you forgiven those who have trespassed against you?

Mathew 6:14: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

If a person cannot forgive those who wrong them then God cannot forgive them. It is as simple as that. Almost everybody has somebody who has at some point in their life wronged them. Some people carry a grudge for that person the rest of their life. Often this anger manifests itself in poor health, failed relationships, or personality clashes to name a few. In some cases that person passes that anger on to future generations fostering hate and mistrust. This single issue has caused wars and deaths. Today road rage has occurred in most cities, when simple forgiveness would have cured the problem. Families are torn apart over non-forgiveness. Refusing to forgive will stop God from forgiving us.

The word forgive (and its derivatives) is used more than 100 times in the Bible. That sends the reader a loud and clear message — forgiving is a vital part of being a Christian. Carrying a grudge does not hurt anybody but the person carrying the grudge. If people want God to forgive them, then as Christians they have to forgive as well.

Mike Blodgett is chaplain at Lighthouse Chapel. He can reached at 373-5866 or e-mail lighthouse_chapelak@yahoo.com.