The ONLY Thing that Matters in The Final Seven Years on Earth – Being “Born Again” (KJV)

August 4, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

In spending several years investigating, the prophecies of the end times, as written from Prophets of God, I have been overwhelmed by the love that God has for those people who seek to know the things that He has revealed.

God will be judging all of mankind who are on the earth during the final seven years, through events which are horrifying.

Matthew 24:21–22 (KJV)

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

This is Jesus Christ’s own description of the Tribulation. He declares that it will be more severe than any time in human history and that nothing like it will ever occur again.

To anyone who knows little about the end times, this is all that they know: The end times will be filled with tremendous challenge, and hardship.

Buy I must tell you that, God has a rescue plan to remove certain people from the earth BEFORE even one day of this seven-year Tribulation Period even beginning.

Just like He saved Noah and his family from the flood…Just like He rescued the Israelites from certain death by parting the Red Sea, He too will be rescuing the people who are not supposed to be on earth during the final seven years.

Let me share this teaching with you.

The Rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 (The Clearest Rapture Passage)

16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

This is NOT the second coming of Jesus Christ. This is God’s rescue plan to remove those who are “in Christ” from the earth before God’s judgment is poured out. Let’s keep learning:

1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (The Instant Transformation)

51 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

The Rapture is Not for Everyone, just certain people.

Matthew 24:40–41 (KJV)

40 “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 “Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.“

As we are learning, the dead in Christ will be first to be caught up to meet Jesus Christ into the air. Their bodies will be resurrected at this time to allow them to live with Christ in the air. For those “in Christ” who are still living, they will be caught up right after in the same event. Their bodies will be changed “in a twinkling of an eye” into the same perfected body as those who were just resurrected.

Can you see the love from God that I am taking about? For some, the events of the last seven years are not for them, because they are already “in Christ” as stated in the scripture.

So, therefore we can conclude that the MOST IMPORTANT thing to learn and know about the end times is “How can I make sure that I am included in the rapture?” How can I know if I am in Christ?”

The gospel of Jesus Christ, that He taught when He was on the earth, answers tht question. Let’s go there now…

In Christ – Born Again

This may very well be a “New Concept” for some of you to learn. I invite you to include God through prayer, as you learn the truth of His teachings. This is how we come to know the truth in all things.

Jesus’ Conversation with Nicodemus (KJV)

One of the greatest teachings of Jesus Christ is found in His nighttime conversation with a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was not an atheist, nor was he an immoral man. He was a respected Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, and one of the most religious men in Israel. If anyone could have entered heaven through religious devotion, good works, or knowledge of Scripture, it would have been Nicodemus. Yet when he came to Jesus seeking truth, Jesus did not tell him to become more religious or work harder, nor did He praise him for all of his religious accomplishments. Instead, He immediately addressed the greatest need of every human heart:

John 3:3 (KJV)

3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus was surprised. He asked how a grown man could possibly be born a second time. Jesus explained that He was not speaking about a second physical birth, but about a spiritual birth.

John 3:5–7 (KJV)

5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.“

Jesus was teaching that every person has experienced a physical birth, but to enter God’s kingdom, heaven, each person must also experience a spiritual birth. Religion cannot produce this new birth. Church membership cannot produce it. Baptism cannot produce it. Good works cannot produce it. Only the Holy Spirit can give spiritual life to a person who places his faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus then explained why this new birth is necessary. God loves the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son to save sinners.

John 3:16 (KJV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The new birth is received by believing in Jesus Christ. To believe means placing your complete trust in Him alone—that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again. It means trusting His finished work on the cross rather than your own goodness, religious efforts, or ceremonies. At that moment, God forgives your sins, gives you new spiritual life, and places you “in Christ.”

The Apostle Paul described this miracle:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

5 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

To be in Christ means you now belong to Him. Your sins are forgiven, you are accepted by God, and the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Your standing before God is no longer based on your own righteousness, but on the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is why salvation is called a gift of grace, not something earned through works.

The story of Nicodemus teaches a timeless truth. It does not matter how religious a person may be, how many good works he has done, or how much he knows about God. Jesus said there is only one way to enter the kingdom of God:

“Ye must be born again.”

There are no official steps in becoming born again, but let me share His gospel teachings with you to give you the context of this process:

1. Recognize That You Are a Sinner

First, is to honestly acknowledge your need for God’s forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

No one is righteous enough to enter heaven on his own. Every person has sinned and needs a Savior. You realize that you are a sinner, and have become distant from God because of your actions. You realize that there is NOTHING that you, your church, or religious ceremony can do to resolve what you have done. It is ONLY through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we are saved.

2. Understand the Consequence of Sin

Sin separates us from God and brings spiritual death.

Romans 6:23 (KJV)

23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The penalty for sin is death, but God lovingly offers eternal life as a free gift through Jesus Christ.

3. Repent of Your Sins Directly to God through Prayer

Repentance is a change of heart and mind that turns a person away from trusting in sin and self and toward faith in Jesus Christ. It is not merely feeling sorry for sin, but humbly agreeing with God about our sinful condition and turning to His Son for forgiveness.

Jesus began His ministry by saying,

Mark 1:15 (KJV)

15 “Repent ye, and believe the gospel”

…showing that repentance and faith go together. Peter likewise preached,

(Acts 3:19, KJV).

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out“

True repentance does not earn salvation. Rather, it is the humble response of a heart that recognizes its need for God’s mercy and places its complete trust in Jesus Christ alone.

4. Believe That Jesus Christ Paid for Your Sins

God demonstrated His love by sending His Son to die in your place.

Romans 5:8 (KJV)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. He paid the debt that you could never pay.

5. Place Your Trust in Jesus Christ Alone

This is where a lot of religious people get hung up on this spiritual process.

Being born again happens when you place your faith in Jesus Christ—not in your own goodness, religion, church membership, baptism, or works. It is ONLY because of the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can live with Him, forever in heaven, and NOTHING else.

ALL of the glory belongs to Jesus Christ for His sacrifice, and should not be shared with a religion, or your own good works, it is believing that it is only made possible because of the atonement of Jesus Christ and nothing else.

John 3:16 (KJV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9–10 (KJV)

9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

To believe means to place your complete confidence in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross as the only way to be forgiven and reconciled to God.

6. Receive God’s Gift of Salvation

Salvation is not something you earn. It is something you receive. While on your knees, tell God that you would like to receive this gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.“

After you have applied the teaching that are listed into your life…The moment you trust Christ, God forgives your sins and gives you eternal life. You have then immediately been Born Again!

7. Be Born of the Spirit

At that very moment, God performs the miracle that Jesus described to Nicodemus.

John 3:5–7 (KJV)

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God… Ye must be born again.”

This spiritual birth is the work of the Holy Spirit. You cannot produce it yourself. God gives you new spiritual life.

8. Become a New Creation in Christ

When you are born again, God changes your standing before Him forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

17.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

You are now in Christ.

Your sins are forgiven.

You are a child of God.

The Holy Spirit dwells within you.

You have the assurance of eternal life, Heaven, and being rescued in the Rapture that will soon occur.

9. Follow Jesus Christ

Being born again is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ.

As you grow in your faith, you will naturally desire to:

• Read God’s Word.
• Pray.
• Obey Christ.
• Be baptized as a public testimony of your faith.
• Love and serve others.
• The desire to sin decreases SUBSTANCIALLY!

These things do not save you, but are fruits of a new spiritual rebirth. They are the evidence of the new life God has already given you.

Another Testimony, directly from Jesus Christ – The Thief on the Cross

The stories of Nicodemus and the thief on the cross beautifully complement one another because together they reveal that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by religion or good works.

These two men could hardly have been more different. Nicodemus was a respected Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, and one of the most religious men in Israel. The thief was a condemned criminal with no opportunity to perform good works, be baptized, join a church, or live a better life. Yet both men stood before Jesus with the same need—they were sinners who needed to be saved.

As Jesus hung upon the cross, one of the thieves recognized who Jesus truly was. He acknowledged his own guilt, confessed that Jesus was innocent, and placed his hope in Him alone.

Luke 23:42–43 (KJV)

42 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.“

43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.“

Notice what the thief did not do. He was never baptized. He never joined a church. He never performed a single good work after believing. He had no opportunity to prove himself worthy. Yet Jesus immediately assured him of eternal life, and that he would be with HIM in Paradise, because he believed.

The thief on the cross demonstrates exactly what Jesus had taught Nicodemus. To be born again is not to earn salvation through religious acts, but to receive new spiritual life by trusting in Jesus Christ. The moment the thief placed his faith in Christ, God gave him what only God can give—eternal life. Though he could not see the transformation outwardly because his earthly life was ending, he experienced the spiritual birth that Jesus described to Nicodemus.

These two men stand at opposite ends of human experience. One was deeply religious; the other was openly sinful. One had a lifetime of religious works; the other had only a few remaining hours to live. Yet Jesus offered both the very same Gospel. Neither religion nor a lifetime of good deeds could save Nicodemus, and neither the thief’s past sins could prevent him from being saved. Both needed only one thing: faith in Jesus Christ.

Together, these stories proclaim one of the greatest truths in the New Testament: No one is too good that he does not need to be born again, and no one is too sinful that he cannot be born again. Whoever comes to Jesus Christ in humble faith receives forgiveness, eternal life, and a new birth from God. As Jesus Himself declared:

John 6:37 (KJV)

37. “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.“

No matter who you are…

No matter what you have done…

If you come to Jesus Christ in faith, He promises to receive you.

As stated, the rapture will soon happen, and the final 7 years on earth, the Tribulation Period will begin. The VERY MOST urgent thing tht you can do is to ask this simple question. Am I “in Christ – Born Again?”

You might already be, and if you are, find comfort in knowing that God will be coming for you soon to rescue you. You don’t have to study, or even believe in the rapture to be rescued. Jesus Christ will find you, and catch you up to Him, without any effort on your part.

If you don’t quite sure know if you are “In Christ through the process of becoming Born Again,” there is a very easy thing that you can do to get there.

Get down on your knees and ask God. You trust Him, right? Ask Him if you see the atonement clearly, as all that is necessary for us to be with Him in heaven, or if you are mixing religion and your good works with the atonement, as also necessary requirements for salvation. If so, ask for Him to guide you through that process of doing anything that is necessary for you to be “in Christ.”

As the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, the process of this spiritual rebirth happens IMMEDIATELY, just like the thief on the cross experienced. There is nothing that you need to do to earn this rebirth after it occurs.

So, if you wonder if you will go to heaven, or if you will be included in the rapture, you have just been taught how you can assure that you will be “qualified” IMMEDIATELY, RIGHT NOW, and have no worries about the afterlife, NOR the Tribulation Period, whatsoever.

My prayers are with ALL of you who have read this, that you all might be humbled, and have a desire to know the truth of these teachings from Jesus Christ. I know from personal experience, that as soon as I placed all of my trust in God, and had a sincere desire to learn the truth regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that He and His apostles taught while they were on the earth, all deception was removed, and the learning of His truth began.

First and foremost, TRUST GOD, not any man…NOT even me. Let GOD confirm the truthfulness of what you study, and don’t just believe any man, regardless of religious title.

One last thought that I’d ask that you prayerfully consider. The adversary could not stop the atonement of Jesus Christ. He certainly tried, but was unsuccessful. He too knows that this atonement is the ONLY Thing needed for a person to make it to heaven. It is THAT important!!!!

His plan then was to deceive mankind, keeping them from seeing the power of this “Saving Ordinance.” He would use religions to cloud up this very important truth. He would use leaders, and even prophets to teach that being saved was NOT though the process of being “Born Again” as Jesus taught so beautifully in the New Testament, but that it was necessary for you to do good works, participate in religious ordinances, go to church faithfully, and do “All that you can do first”, and then you would receive salvation.

He wants you to think that your religion is just as important, if not more so, than the atonement. That salvation is shared between your good works, your religion, and the atonement. Can you see the very deception here?

And, just as he has done, he would use a religion to teach the principle of becoming “Born Again” to be something different than what it actually is…Like, baptism. This creates an allusion to that person that they have been saved, because they have been baptized, which is a false belief…and one that possibly could keep a person out of heaven.

The danger in this one deception is frightening. A religious person thinks that they have done everything possible to get to heaven, yet, just like Nicodemus, he had done all of that but was missing the one and only requirement needed to get to heaven…to be Born Again.

Jesus warned us that religion would be a place that deception would occur in this teaching:

Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Can you see the connection here? A false prophet would be over a religion, right? We could therefore conclude that the adversary could use a religion to deceive even the VERY ELECT!

It is important to learn, study, and pray about this ONE teaching that Jesus taught, for it will determine if a person goes to heaven, or not. There is peace in this teaching, for you will be able to KNOW that you are going to heaven. You will KNOW that you will be rescued in the rapture. There is no more wondering what will happen now, and after we die. You are safe in waiting to learn all other truths after you die, for they are not as important as this.

To me, there is nothing more comforting to know that I will soon be rescued. I no longer have any fear or anxiety of what will happen, or if I am “good enough” to qualify for heaven. Is there any greater peace that a person can have, especially in these troubled times? I certainly don’t think so, and appreciate the 4-year journey that I have been on to find such peace and comfort. I hope that you can find this peace as well.