Seven Days Until The Rapture
Note: “Seven Days Until The Rapture” is a fictional series for paid subscribers only (except for Part I, which is for all subscribers). The timing of The Rapture is a subject of much debate in the church today. Theologians hold views that land on different points of the spectrum (pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation), and some emphatically state their viewpoint is the most Biblical. The main thing to remember when these discussions are held is rapture-timing belief is not an essential for salvation purposes, and it is OK for Christians to disagree on this matter.
PART I, THE BEGINNING
As he witnessed the never-ending horizon, Ted’s focus turned to a wave as it chased another one toward the shore.
I’m 31 years old, and I love the sight of the ocean the same way I did on my first beach trip at age six.
The first wave disappeared into a sandy foam, and Ted imagined the second wave becoming sad. No longer able to play follow the leader, it joined the first wave and turned into a shapeless blob of salty water. Ted recalled the first time he swallowed ocean water and his dad’s quick reassurance it wouldn’t kill him.
Ted tugged at the large umbrella, protecting him and his son, Jerry, from the scorching ultraviolet rays on a sand-sizzling late morning at the South Carolina beach. A burst of wind rushed across the top of the water, sending a chilling mist onto Ted and Jerry’s bare feet.
“Look at the waves,” Ted said, tapping Jerry on the shoulder and pointing at the ocean. “See how one chases another?”
Jerry sat up, peering into the ocean.
“When the first wave disappears, the second wave seems to have nowhere to go,” Ted said. “That’s a picture of life.”
Jerry tilted his head and looked at his dad.
“What do you mean by ‘picture’?” Jerry asked.
“It’s like a snapshot, a moment caught in time. Like the waves we are witnessing, people tend to be followers. Every government has a leader, every business has a CEO, and every sports team has a coach and a captain. We live in a world of few leaders and many followers.”
Ted saw a blank look and slack expression on Jerry’s face but held back from talking.
Give him time to digest it.
“But what does that have to do with the waves?” Jerry asked.
“You saw the first wave lose shape and disappear, right?”
Jerry shook his head.
“When human leaders lose their shape, followers often do what the second wave did,” Ted said. “They lose their shape, too.”
Jerry stared out at the ocean.
“But it doesn’t always happen that way, and that’s where people differ from waves,” Ted said. “Sometimes the second wave sees the disappearance of the first as an opportunity to become the new leader. A third wave grows behind the second wave. It’s a cycle the world has seen since the beginning of time.”
Jerry asked, “Will it always be that way?”
“No, son,” Ted said. “There’s one wave that never breaks and never disappears. If you follow that wave, you will never lose sight of it. It will provide you with direction for all eternity. That wave isn’t made of Earth’s water but instead is living water. That wave is Jesus Christ.”
Jerry nodded his head. Waves continued to break against the shore and squawking seagulls splashed into the sea. Ted filled his lungs with oceanfront air as the wind swirled around him.
It’s peaceful out here.
Ted’s thoughts were interrupted by a question he didn’t expect.
“Dad, when mom died … did her wave disappear?” Jerry asked.
Ted swallowed hard as the question struck a nerve deep inside.
I guess you’re old enough to have this discussion.
“Not at all,” Ted said. “Your mother followed the Jesus wave. The day before she passed …”
Ted felt the all-to-familiar lump in his throat, which he tried to clear.
“Your mom said, ‘I can’t wait for Jesus to return,’ ” Ted said. “My phone rang immediately and she laughed and said, ‘Is that Him?’ We both got tickled, and it took me a few seconds before I answered the call.”
Dabbing at the corner of his eye with his index finger, Ted looked away from Jerry. He turned back and said, “I got busy. We didn’t have another conversation, just good night and good morning and I love you. But I’m comforted knowing one of the last things your beautiful mother said to me was a testimony about Jesus.”
Jerry clasped his hands together and drummed his fingers on the back of his hands.
“Dad … why did Mom think Jesus called?” Jerry asked.
Ted burst out laughing.
“She didn’t think Jesus called,” Ted said. “She had a wonderful sense of humor and used it in that moment.”
Jerry rubbed his hands together and looked at the ocean.
“Did Jesus come get her?” Jerry asked. “Why didn’t he get us, too?”
He’s nine years old. I suppose I’ve opened the door full tilt.
“Son, in a way Jesus did come get her,” Ted said. “He called her home. He didn’t take us because everybody has a specific time, and ours hadn’t arrived yet.”
Jerry turned his head toward his dad and said, “But did she know he was coming soon?”
“That’s a beautiful question, son,” Ted said. “Your mom spoke about The Rapture, when Jesus returns to gather all living believers.”
Jerry tilted his head and asked, “When will that happen?”
Ted smiled and said, “No man knows, only the Father. It could be today. It may be tomorrow. And it may be seven days before The Rapture.”
A large wave crashed against the shore. Ted and Jerry turned their heads to look as the wave disappeared into a sandy foam.
Shattering the tranquility, Ted’s cell phone rang. Jerry grabbed the phone and looked at the caller ID. He frowned and tossed the phone to his dad.
“It’s your lady friend,” said Jerry, who jumped up and ran to the water’s edge.
Ted hung his head and didn’t answer the call. He packed their beach gear and hollered for his son to join him. Jerry shook his head and trudged through the sand, joining his dad for the walk back to the hotel.
“We need to have another long talk,” Ted said. “We have to get on the same page about Kristy.”
— — —
Next: PART TWO
“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark.”