Thirty-five centuries ago, the Hebrew people began a mass exodus out of the land of Egypt after over 400 years of slavery.  Pharoah, King of Egypt, resisted their departure, but God sent a series of ten plagues to convince him otherwise, ending with an angel of death passing through the land.  The Hebrew people were instructed to sacrifice a lamb or goat and smear the blood on the doorframe of their homes so that the angel would pass over their homes.  The Egyptians did not know about it, and lost their firstborn sons as a result.  The Hebrew people continue to celebrate this deliverance in an annual event called the Passover during Holy Week, leading up to the celebration of Easter.

        Once more Pharaoh changed his mind about allowing the Hebrews to leave, and pursued them with his army of chariots, trapping them against the Red Sea.  God performed a miracle to deliver them across the sea on dry ground, allowing 600,000 men plus women and children to begin their mass exodus.  Subsequently, God performed other miracles to guide them, feed and water them, and protect them over the next 40 years until they arrived at their destination.  God had promised Abraham many years earlier that his descendants would inherit a new land called the Promised Land, and that became their destination.

”Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that one day there will be another mass exodus that will involve all who accept the blood of Jesus that He shed on the Cross as payment for their sins.  This event will be called the Rapture, when Jesus will return to the Earth to gather His followers together and take them to heaven with Him.  Just like Pharaoh resisted the Hebrews leaving Egypt, the devil continually resists people from following God and being included in the Rapture.  He tries to prevent people from inviting Jesus into their lives so that they will not be invited to participate in the Rapture.

        Until the Rapture occurs on a day when only God determines and knows, God takes care of His followers like He took care of the Hebrews on their way to the Promised Land.  In His Word, the Bible, He promises to not only take care of us, but He promises to deliver us from many different kinds of troubles and difficulties.  In His Word, He promises to guide us by His Holy Spirit, to provide comfort for us through His Holy Spirit, to protect us, and to help us in many other ways.  Heaven is the Promised Land for the followers of God, and it will be our permanent home throughout all of eternity.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.