Look to the Flaming Skies

By Mandy Hackland

Look to the Flaming Skies is an invitation to all people to investigate the promise of Jesus Christ that He will return to fetch His Church. It is based on the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation in the New Testament and examines the history and the future of God's people. Scripture gives us many signs of the imminent return of Jesus Christ and some of the signs are evident in this day and age. Many of us are not aware of them. Look to the Flaming Skies points out some of these to people, whether they believe in Jesus or not. It is the call of a watchman to look, to be alert, to the signs of the times and to be prepared for Jesus when He comes. For we do not know exactly when that will be - but there are many who believe it will be soon.
Look to the Flaming Skies is not an academic or deeply theological book. It has been written by an ordinary Christian who loves Jesus and who wants to tell people about Him so they too have the opportunity to turn to Him and be one of those who are caught up to heaven with all other true believers. The author's prayer is that all who read the book will turn to Jesus to receive eternal life and for the joy and the love He offers

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mandy Hackland
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005970444

Mandy Hackland

Mandy Hackland is a Christ follower who lives in South Africa on the Cape coast. She is passionate about encouraging others to grow a deeper relationship with Jesus. She communicates this as she paints creation and God's love for His people through word-pictures in her novels, and as she challenges others to explore their faith in her books of devotions and non-fiction.

Book preview

Look to the Flaming Skies

Mandy Hackland

Published by Mandy Hackland

Smashwords Edition

Copyright

Copyright Mandy Hackland 2022

The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ .Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

The Gospels

Israel – The People and the Land

The Church

Christ and the Church

Objections

The World

The Rapture

Watchmen

What about everyone else?

Glossary

Thank you

About the Author

Other Works by Mandy Hackland

Preface

This is not a book to be afraid of. It is not one that will depress you. Whether you follow Jesus Christ now or turn to Him as you read these pages, this is a book to bring you joy. For Jesus is coming back. He will return in His time (known only to the Father) and fetch His Bride the Church. And if you follow Him, you will be counted in that number.

If you do not, then I invite you, even at this early stage of the book to consider asking Him to come into your life and to be your Lord and Saviour, so this book contains nothing but Good News for you. Turn to this prayer you can pray to do this.

If, however, you reject Jesus Christ even after you have read this book, then the events that are described here will not affect you, for you will be left behind when He returns for His Bride. If this event has already happened then I invite you to read the sequel to this book, entitled Countdown, which will describe the events that have taken place and what will happen in the future for you. But my prayer is that whoever reads this book will turn to Jesus so you can enjoy the anticipation of Jesus’ return.

How do you feel when you hear the phrase end times? Are you a person who rarely thinks of the day when life will change for you – for the world – forever? Are you jogging along, living your life day by day, knowing, deep down, that life will end – but in the future – some time - and it doesn’t affect you? Do you perhaps mock those who believe in such an outlandish thing? Are you aware of the preciousness of today? Do you realise that time will not go on forever?

Do you see the signs?

What signs, many of you may ask. What do you mean by signs? Scripture is full of prophetic signs we are instructed to look out for. Whilst God has not told us that He will end the world today or tomorrow, He has said it will end as we know it. That is no secret.

One day, I believe, in the not-so-distant future, a specific event will occur at a time known only to God the Father. Not even Jesus knows it. This event is known as the Rapture when Jesus will return for His Bride (the Church) and every believer will be snatched up from the earth to join Him in the clouds.

I know this sounds unlikely to the cynical, scientifically-minded, sophisticated 21st century reader, but there is Scriptural proof that this will happen, as we shall see further on in this book. The end of the world’s timing, in contrast, is precise for once the period known as the Tribulation starts so does the countdown. The Tribulation will last for seven years until Jesus returns in triumph, accompanied by His Bride to rule the earth for one thousand years. Whilst the timing of the initiating event is unknown, the timing thereafter will be clear from the information provided in Scripture. As I have said, you can read about this part of the history of the world in the sequel to this book, entitled Countdown, to be released shortly.

Jesus told us to watch for the signs that will indicate the unfolding of these events in the same way as we look for signs indicating what the weather will be like in the next few hours. (Matthew 24:27) Perhaps there are black storm clouds indicating thunder or lightning; or maybe they are green, holding hail; perhaps they are gold promising a fine day the next morning; or maybe they are rose-hued, forecasting rain during the day. They may be low and threatening, huge, towering to the skies; or they may be light streamers or small square-shaped patterns indicating the soon-arrival of a cold front. Perhaps there are no clouds at all and the sky is clear blue or full of stars and moonlight.

As we grow up we begin to recognise the signs that the weather fanfares to us.

As we mature as Christ-followers we need to become aware of the signs of the times so we can help others to see them and tell as many people as we can that Jesus loves them, died for them and rose again so they – yes, they – may turn to Him to have eternal life before it is too late.

This is not a threat. This is a promise from a loving