No Time to Be Saved

Every morning, each of us is given the same amount of time. Salvation is offered equally to all. Without exception, every person can become a son or daughter of God. Christ's blood, shed for our sins, is capable of cleansing every soul, no matter how low a person has fallen. But what do we see? Unbelief and indifference reign around us. The world rushes toward some beautiful future that gets closer and closer but never arrives. Time is spent on everything imaginable, while the most valuable and important remains unnoticed.

Biblical prophecies teach us that at the end of Earth's history, times of tribulation and hardship will come, such as no one has ever experienced before. I cannot imagine how this will actually occur, but I understand that we should prepare for such events now.

What is tribulation? It is experiencing suffering, depression, fear, guilt, grief, pain, loss of loved ones, despair, and more. And my life becomes very dark. Now let's gather all of this together, multiply it several times, and place it on one person. It will result in something resembling a very deep depression. This is approximately what awaits this world at the end of time. Such a spirit will touch each of us. We will all, in one way or another, pass through this time. But it is worth understanding that all these events that will torment our souls have a spiritual foundation.

Perhaps tribulation will be partially exacerbated by some physical illnesses, but overall, it will touch everyone.

What can be contrasted with such a spirit? Love, happiness, friendship, joy, faith, peace, thanksgiving, and other pleasures. All of this brings light and peace, gives hope.

A question arises: "What of the above factors can be learned?" I think all sorrowful feelings come by themselves if not resisted. Darkness is the natural state of a soul where the source of light is absent. And light does not arise by itself. It must originate from something.

Spiritual and mental light does not appear without reason out of nowhere but can be reflected from the True Source of light and warm the soul. God is my Light. He gives each person His blessing so that we might taste how good He is and appreciate this advantage of life. But the Lord desires to give greater light, and He very much wants me to be a light to the world. But this requires my consent and time that I will spend near Jesus, and like a flashlight, receive a charge from Him for the coming day to shine brightly for my neighbors.

In the Letter to Laodicea, I am declared my true condition with which I will enter the time of tribulation, but at the same time, I am offered what I can use to withstand all darkness and worthily endure all trials. But this offer contains a condition. I must buy what Jesus advises me. I am also called to be zealous in acquiring this merchandise and repent of my previous way of life. Then the Teacher Himself comes to me to instruct me in everything with which I will enter the great tribulation, so that in our friendly communion we might know each other more closely.

Any learning requires time, which many simply do not have. But interestingly, everyone has time for things that are prioritized, but not enough time for less important and necessary matters.

I have noticed in my life that with all my business busyness, time is quickly found for people who want to build something and pay large amounts of money. I am ready to interrupt any conversation and cancel important meetings to get this client. But I cannot find time for a close friend, even if I am dying of boredom, explaining it by saying that I am very busy.

But if a friend might understand, what am I to do with Jesus, who advises me to invest my time in what I can use during the time of tribulation? I answer Him through His servants: "Oh, this is so much! This is so long! This will take my entire life, and I cannot pay you for it! I simply have no time for my salvation. Invent something else, something easier, that will save me by itself!" Satisfied with such an answer, I continue to do important things, believing that the Lord heard me and will certainly invent something, since He loves me and does not want to lose me. How thankful I am to the Lord that He gave me so much work and interesting things, and I am ready to engage in them from morning to evening, earning a lot of money. And with these means, I can support any of God's work and receive universal respect and recognition for my charity.

Are you familiar with such a scenario, friends? In what role are you in this story?

The message to Laodicea is the very last message before the time of tribulation. It invites us to the wedding feast. And when these doors close behind all who have responded, then, in fact, no one will have time to be saved or to correct anything. When my Heavenly Friend says that He will come soon, I can wait for Him while also doing ordinary things. But when He has come and stands at my door, it is very foolish to tell Him that I have no time for Him and His teaching. And according to God's prophecies, there will be many such foolish people.

God offers all of Himself in the form of goods for Laodicea. He desires that I see, understand, and recognize this. This purchase will take all my best time, my entire subsequent life. He simply will not accept anything less as payment. God gives us various things and benefits for earthly life, but most of all desires to teach us to become rich in eternal values that will not disappear during the great tribulation but will delight us with their inner wealth, power, and purity. No forgery will withstand the fiery trial, but pure gold will become even purer and brighter. And this time is rapidly approaching. It is already touching us with its hot breath and will cover the whole world like a funeral shroud. And no one will escape it.

Moreover, the time of tribulation will be interesting because the Lord Himself will pour out His purifying judgments and destroy everything that was created and produced over many centuries. But joyful, loving, and happy friends He promises to keep in these trials because they found time for Him and dedicated their lives to learning to love one another and hear God's voice.

Do you have time, friends, to buy what the Faithful Witness advises in the Message to the people of the last time? We are offered Heavenly love and faith, true happiness on a solid Foundation, an Eternal School of Agape Love, and joy in the Holy Spirit. And we are given to each other to realize these blessings in our happiness and mutual development, in the ability to love at all times. And the time of tribulation will bring together all of God's loving children so closely that they will not want to lose this happy spirit of joyful relationships throughout Eternity.

It is very good, necessary, joyful, and interesting to enter the time of tribulation with love, friendship, and happiness. I think this will be the best time for those who love each other. And Jesus will be so close that everything else will simply fade from His presence in the heart. Did those who entered the wedding feast cry about being saved? I think they were very happy because they found time for it.

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Daniel 12:1-3; Proverbs 15:13; Revelation 3:18-20; 1 Chronicles 12:32; Psalm 89:12; Revelation 10:5-6; 1 Kings 3:9-14; Matthew 25:3-5; Ephesians 5:14-21; Jeremiah 8:20; Proverbs 8:5; 9:4-6; Jeremiah 4:19-23; Psalms 9:10,22; 21:12; 31:10; 36:39; 49:15; 90:14-16; 93:19; 119:1 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Does my current choice of life path affect the quality of my life and my salvation?

4. Do you think love and joy can resist tribulation and depression?

5. Will the skill of love and happiness help remain so during tribulation and darkness?

6. Do you think a joyful spirit brings special blessings to life?

7. Is it worth understanding what the time of tribulation is and how to endure it, or should it just come unexpectedly?

8. What should I do now, knowing that difficult times are approaching?

9. Should I stock up on grains and canned goods for the time of tribulation? Or what would you advise?

10. Is God interested in me preparing for the last events right now?

11. Is it important to understand what awaits us in the future and what we should prepare for?

12. Do you think the lessons of this book teach something that might be very useful in the near future?

13. Will the presence of love, happiness, and friendship help endure the time of tribulation in the right spirit?

14. How do you think God wants to see us: dying from fear in anticipation of disasters or happy from love while waiting for Jesus?

15. Have you experienced something that gives you peace and confidence about the upcoming events?