Pastor Rick: When I was a kid, some cars had this bumper sticker.

Pastor Rick: I pictured Jesus coming back and finding nothing but a pile of clothes where my mom used to be.

POOF!

Eli: Okay, THAT is creepy.

Pastor Rick: It scared me for years. But here's the good news: Jesus never wanted his followers to be scared.

A Tour of Heaven, Stop 3.

Baxter: Caution! Big words ahead! Stay inside the tram at all times.

Maya: I'm ready. Hit me with the big words.

Pastor Rick: Word one: tribulation. It's a seven-year time of big trouble on earth, before Jesus comes back to set everything right.

Pastor Rick: Word two: rapture. That's when Jesus gathers his people to be with him. The Bible says it happens in the blink of an eye, with the sound of a trumpet.

TA-DAAAA!

Baxter: A blink takes about one-third of a second. I just blinked. Did you see it?

Neither did I!

Maya: So does Jesus gather his people before the seven years or after?

Pastor Rick: Here's an honest answer. Some Christians believe Jesus gathers his people before the tribulation. Others believe it happens at the end.

Pastor Rick: People who love Jesus and study the Bible carefully don't all agree.

And that's okay. You can study it for yourself someday.

Pastor Rick: But here's what we ALL agree on…

All Kids: Jesus is coming back!

Stop 1: Don't Panic!

Jesus' friends once asked him how the world would end.

Disciple: What will happen? How will we know?

Jesus: You will hear about wars. There will be earthquakes and hard times. But don't be alarmed.

Sam: Sometimes the news scares me.

Pastor Rick: Jesus knew all of it would happen. He isn't surprised, and he isn't worried.

He's still in charge. So we don't have to panic.

Pastor Rick: Jesus also said some people would try to fool us. They'll say, "I know exactly when Jesus is coming!" or "Follow ME!"

Maya: How do we know who's telling the truth?

Pastor Rick: Easy test. Do they point to themselves? Or do they point to Jesus and the Bible? Real teachers always point to Jesus.

Stop 2: Don't Quit!

Pastor Rick: Following Jesus isn't always easy. Sometimes people make fun of you.

Sometimes doing the right thing is hard.

Sofia: Last week some kids laughed at me for praying at lunch.

Pastor Rick: Jesus promised that whoever stands firm to the end will be saved. He's like a coach at the finish line, cheering: "Keep going! You can do it!"

Baxter: I hate going outside when it's raining. But when I really need to go, I go anyway.

That's standing firm. (Okay, it's not exactly the same thing.)

Stop 3: Don't Waste the Wait!

Pastor Rick: Jesus told a story about a master who went on a long trip. He put his servants in charge of the house.

Pastor Rick: One servant got right to work. Another one just lay around.

Eli: I know which one I'd be. The couch one.

Pastor Rick: When the master came home, the servant who did a good job got a reward.

Pastor Rick: We're like that servant. Jesus has gone to get our forever home ready. While we wait, he wants us to live for him.

Ways not to waste the wait: Pray. Help a friend. Serve someone who needs it. Invite someone to church.

"So you also must be ready. The Son of Man will come at an hour when you don't expect him." Matthew 24:44 (NIrV)

Sam: What does "ready" mean?

Pastor Rick: It means you've decided to follow Jesus, and you live for him every day. Then it doesn't matter when he comes. You're ready!

Baxter: Three don'ts and one do!