Made your reservation?

We just returned from a wonderful trip to visit family. Basic airfare from here to Florida was about the same price as filling up the gas tank in our van.
Cheap tickets usually go fast, and we had to make a quick reservation and pay immediately.
I'm ready for another trip, too. I made a reservation and my name was written down, according to the Book, but I don't know the date of "take-off."
The Commander-in-Chief gave some hints, "When you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; but the end will not come immediately. Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places and famines and pestilences and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. They will persecute you...for my name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony."
AMONG THE INSTRUCTIONS is this: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that desolation is near."

Let me insert a comment here. This is the first time in history when perhaps the peace of the whole world hinges on Israel--a nation the size of New Jersey.

Another section of the instructions declares there will be distress of nations, men's hearts failing them for fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man (Jesus) coming in the clouds with power and great glory.
Now when these things begin to happen, He said, "Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
THESE INSTRUCTIONS are from Luke 21. We have more detail in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
FOR THE LORD SHALL DESCEND from heaven with a shout and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
"Then we who are alive and remain SHALL BE CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
"Therefore, comfort one another with these words."

One more note: The tickets were paid for 2,000 years ago on the cross by Jesus Christ Himself.