Glorious Appearing Read online

  As Enoch slowly drove through Chicago, Jesus spoke to him. "Fear not, Enoch, for you have rightly deduced that you and your flock are to be with Me."

  "But, Lord, we—"

  "I will transport you. You need not trouble yourselves. "

  "When? What will we do about clothes and—?"

  "Now, Enoch, if God clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

  "Therefore do not worry, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Do not worry about tomorrow. "

  Enoch would never forget the looks on the faces of his people when he reunited them and told them, "We're going to Israel. Don't ask how. God will make a way. "

  "When?"

  "That you can ask. I believe we're going tomorrow. "

  Leah was finally tired and longed for sleep, but she wanted to know about the coming judgments. Apparently there were several, and everyone else seemed curious too.

  "I remain up to teaching if you remain up to learning," Eleazar said. "I do not yet know how we will sleep with so much light anyway. "

  "Today was clearly Judgment Day for Satan and his puppets," Leah said. "But there must be more than one Judgment Day. "

  "There is," Eleazar said. "Actually there are several times of judgment, each with a specific purpose. Drs. Ben-Judah and Rosenzweig and the elders have come to believe that there are different judgments for the sins and works of believers, Old Testament saints, Tribulation saints, Jews still alive at the end of the Tribulation, Gentiles still alive at the end of the Tribulation, Satan and the fallen angels—which we saw today—and all the unredeemed people of all time.

  "Christ's death on the cross was where God placed upon Jesus the sin of all who would become believers. Christ paid for our sins and thus we will face only the judgment seat of Christ and not any of the other judgments. Jesus Himself said in John 5: 24, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. '

  "Romans 8: 1-4 says, 'There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. '"

  "Then why, " Leah said, "do we face the judgment seat of Christ, and what is that?"

  "We believe the judgment seat of Christ is distinct from the judgment of unbelievers. Paul told the Corinthian believers, 'We make it our aim... to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. '"

  "But if Jesus took our punishment and paid for our sins, " Naomi said, "on what basis will we be judged?"

  Eleazar smiled at his daughter. "So young, yet so bright."

  "Daddy," she said, blushing, "stop. "

  "I am sorry. Your question is a good one." He flipped through his Bible. "Listen to what the apostle Paul told the Corinthians: 'For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

  "'If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

  " 'Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. '

  "He also said, 'Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. '

  "Actually, Naomi, 'the judgment seat of Christ' has already taken place. It happened in heaven so that the church that was raptured with Jesus could be adorned as His bride when it descended with Him at the Glorious Appearing. Revelation 19: 7-8 says, 'Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. ' Those of us who remain alive will be judged by Christ soon, before the Millennium actually begins.

  "As for us Jews, the Tribulation itself was the time when God made Israel 'pass under the rod, ' according to Ezekiel 20. God says, 'I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

  "'As for you, O house of Israel,... go, serve every one of you his idols—and hereafter—if you will not obey Me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols. For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,... there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me.... Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for which I raised My hand in an oath to give to your fathers. '

  "Zechariah 13 says that two-thirds of Israel would die, so that of those left, 'all Israel will be saved. ' According to Romans 11: 26-27, 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins. '

  "We elders have estimated that there are between five and ten million of us Jews who will enter the Millennium. But the Tribulation was also a time of judgment of unbelieving Gentiles. That should have been obvious from the twenty-one judgments that came from heaven during the past seven years. "

  George Sebastian raised a hand. "Elder Tiberius, Tsion and Chaim taught us there would also be a judgment of nations, but either I missed it or we didn't get into it. What's that about?"

  "That is yet to come, and likely soon. The Scriptures seem to indicate that the valley created by the splitting of the Mount of Olives is called the Valley of Jehosha-phat, which means 'Jehovah judges. ' The forming of that valley buried the rubbish of nearly four thousand years of civilization and runs from the Mount of Olives right through Jerusalem. In that newly purified area it appears the Lord will conduct three judgments: He will restore the Jewish nation; He will judge the sheep; and He will judge the goats. "

  "I remember studying the sheep-and-goats judgment, " Hannah Palemoon said. "But I forget who they are. "

  "Some call this a Semitic judgment, " Eleazar said. "Jesus will judge you Gentiles on how you have treated His chosen people. Those who honored the Jews are the sheep, and those who did not are the goats.

  "When Jesus slayed all His enemies by the sword that came out of His mouth—the very Word of God— Antichrist's armies were put to death in preparation for the millennial kingdom. Soon all remaining unbelievers— yes, including those who did not take the mark of the beast and yet who never decided for Christ either—will also face death. "

  "Just people here in Israel?" Ming Woo said. "Or from all over the world?"

  "Oh, from the entire world, I'm sure. "

  "And they will be judged here? Or in their own countries
somehow?"

  "Good question. I don't know. The Bible seems to indicate that this all takes place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. "

  "So it might be awhile before everyone can get here. And what if they choose not to come?"

  Eleazar chuckled. "Did you see anyone at the judgment today who appeared to have a choice?"

  "So what you're saying, " Ree Woo said, "is that only believers populate the Millennium?"

  "It appears that way, yes. At least at the beginning. People born during the Millennium will have to make their choice, of course. "

  Priscilla Sebastian said, "Then the Great White Throne Judgment, at the end of the Millennium, is the final one?"

  "Yes."

  "But it doesn't sound like there will be much to judge. People either received Christ as their Savior, or they didn't. "

  "Right, but we believe that God, being wise and fair and wanting to demonstrate how far men arid women fall short of His standard, will judge them based on their own works. Obviously, all will fail to measure up. This will show that the punishment is deserved, and as I have said, they will be sent to the lake of fire for eternity."

  "But what about the goats in the coming judgment? Where do they go? And will they also be judged again at the great white throne a thousand years from now?"

  "Yes. For now they will be sent to hades, apparently a compartment of hell, where they will suffer until that final judgment, and then they will be cast into the lake of fire. "

  "Sad."

  "Yes, it is. Very. And yet I believe all these judgments will demonstrate to the whole world God's justice and righteousness and will finally silence all who have scoffed. "

  Just before turning in, Rayford called George Sebastian to check on Kenny, hoping the phone wouldn't wake the children.

  "He's out cold," Sebastian reported. "Priss is a little surprised, because all he can talk about is Jesus and seeing Mommy and Daddy tomorrow. "

  "We covered everything from the millennial kingdom to the resurrections and judgments tonight. You?"

  "The same. Fascinating stuff. "

  "Tired, Sebastian?"

  "Exhausted. It's about time. I had begun to wonder if I would ever be hungry or thirsty or tired again. "

  "And were you hungry?"

  Sebastian laughed. "After the dinner we had tonight, I'm still wondering if I ever will be again. "

  "I hear you. I can still taste the lamb. "

  "I can still taste everything."

  Rayford closed the shades and lay on his back, pulling a single blanket over himself. The light streaming through the cracks around the shade was so bright he had to cover his eyes with the crook of his elbow. He began thanking God for the events he had witnessed, beginning with his own healing, but before he could even mention them, Jesus said, "I know, Rayford. I know. I am right here, and I will always be right here. I will never leave you nor forsake you.

  "My blood is precious, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. "

  "Thank You, Lord. "

  And believing Jesus was there, Rayford drifted off into the sleep of the redeemed.

  TWENTY

  LEAH COULD TELL it was morning only because of the dew on the roses and the coolness of the air. It was as bright as it had been at midnight, the last time she checked her watch before falling asleep. She had awakened with the knowledge that she was to go to the new Valley of Jehoshaphat. There was no question in her mind. As she showered and dressed, she knew she was not to eat, not to do anything else. Just go.

  Leah had not been aware of Jesus speaking to her again in the night or in the morning, but this inner conviction about what she was to do was so strong and persuasive that He might as well have shown up in person and told her.

  She hurried to the front of the house where Eleazar and Naomi were greeting their guests as they emerged from various sleeping quarters. Not a word was said about breakfast or plans for the day. Leah thought about mentioning her urge and asking how she might get there, but she could tell from the looks on the faces of George and Priscilla Sebastian, Hannah Palemoon, and Ree and Ming Woo that they too were on a mission that needed no words. Even the children, Beth Ann and Kenny, seemed eager to get moving.

  When everyone was there, Kenny said, "Can we go now?"

  Eleazar roared, his bulging eyes twinkling. "And where would you like to go, little one?"

  Kenny shrugged. "To see Jesus."

  Leah was struck that he didn't mention his mother or dad. For some reason, he too was being drawn to Jesus so forcefully that nothing else seemed to matter.

  They all crowded into a vehicle driven by Eleazar, and Leah found herself next to the Woos. "Where're we going, Ming?" she said.

  Ming said, "I don't know where anyone else is going. I just hope Elder Tiberius stops within walking distance of the new valley. "

  Walking distance didn't begin to describe it. Eleazar drove directly to the valley. As they got out, Leah was staggered to see millions and millions of people. They were white and black and red and yellow, and they were all headed the same direction. Leah sensed Jesus was at the end of this rainbow of humanity, and she knew where to find Him as soon as she turned her eyes to the sky. He was not there, but not only was His heavenly army host hovering on horseback, but also tens of thousands of angels flanked them on the sides and behind.

  Leah stopped walking, already separated from her friends. She simply had to stare. The sky seemed nearly filled with heavenly beings, forcing her to shield her eyes. But that did no good. The light of the glory of Christ was all about her, and even behind her hands it glared into her eyes. It felt as if she were staggering toward the object of everyone's attention.

  Leah had been to professional sporting events where the crowds were so huge going in and out of a stadium that one could not see the end of the people. This was a million times bigger. As she began to walk again, snatches of conversations grabbed her interest.

  "I was in my home, minding my own business."

  "Where?"

  "Johannesburg."

  "When was this?"

  "Not ten minutes ago!"

  "I was asleep in Michigan!"

  Leah followed the gently rolling terrain until it opened on an area just enough below Jerusalem that she could look up and see the Eternal City. She also had a view of Golgotha, the site of Calvary, which took away her breath. Again, Leah had to stop and stare.

  "Leah," Jesus said.

  "Yes, Lord."

  "When you see My throne, join those on My right, your left."

  "Yes, Lord."

  She turned and continued to follow the crowd, realizing that everyone must have been given personal directions. The masses were breaking to the right and to the left and heading for separate destinations.

  Rayford tried to stay with Chaim. The men had left the Rosenzweig home without breakfast and without a word, as if they all somehow knew where they must go. Rayford decided that whatever was to come, he wanted to be close enough to Chaim to ask questions. The others must have had the same idea, as they all stuck together despite the crowds.

  When Jesus told Rayford where he should go, he moved to his left without question, and as waves of people moved both directions, suddenly the view before Rayford became clear. Directly below and centered under the vast heavenly hosts, saints, and angels, a great raised platform stood, bearing a throne on which Jesus sat. Behind Him were the three angels of mercy. On either side of Him stood the archangels Michael and Gabriel.

  Rayford knew instinctively that every living person on earth was gathered in that valley. "I'm guessing several million, Chaim, but it's really not many compared to how the earth was once populated."

  "Very few," Chaim said, keeping up with Rayford. "Half a billion or more were raptured seven years ago. Half the remaining population was killed during the seal and trumpet judgments during the next three and a half years. Many more we
re lost during the vial judgments, and millions of believers were martyred. What you are looking at is probably only one-fourth of those who were left after the Rapture. And most of these will die today. "

  Indeed, Rayford realized, those assembling on Jesus' right were scant compared to those on His left.

  Enoch was sitting behind the wheel of his car in his Palos Hills, Illinois, driveway, praying. When he finished and opened his eyes, he was sitting in the sand in Israel with millions of people moving past him. Enoch stood and saw the heavenly hosts, the City of God, and the Place of the Skull. And Jesus told him where he should go.

  "And, Lord, my flock. Are they—?"

  "Of course they are, beloved. I will direct them to you. "

  It took most of the morning for the masses to find their places and settle. To Rayford it appeared that those to Jesus' left were puzzled at best, frightened at worst.

  Gabriel stepped to the front of the platform and stretched out his arms for silence. "Worship the King of kings and Lord of lords!" he shouted, and as one the millions on both sides of the throne fell to their knees. In a cacophony of languages and dialects they cried out, "Jesus Christ is Lord!"

  Those on the left of Jesus began rising to their feet, while all around Rayford, everyone remained kneeling. "Clearly two different groups of people here, eh, Chaim?"

  "Actually three," the old man said. "Those are the 'goats' over there, the followers of Antichrist who somehow survived to this point. You are among the 'sheep' on this side, but I represent the third group. I am part of Jesus' 'brethren, ' the chosen people of God whom the sheep befriended. We are the Jews who will go into the Millennium as believers, because of people like you. "