I suspect if a Christian knew of a certainty that a non-Christian was going to die physically the next day, and managed to convince that guy of his peril then that guy would probably be as open as he could possibly be to hear the Gospel.
However, I also suspect that creating a panic tied to a particular date which then does not materialize - probably discredits both the speaker and his message. Or to put it another way, the attempt to spread the Gospel that way might actually have a negative effect, i.e. "if he was wrong about this then why should I believe his testimony about Christ."
One last thought for the moment, if that is possible for me:
Since becoming a Christian I have viewed Christianity as being for the living, a way of life that is more satisfying than any other. I have never much considered death or the end times and all that they imply for us mortals. I believe what the Bible says about them but they are just an adjunct, a continuation of right-now belief in, and fellowship with, God.
I came to Christ by simply muscling through the alternatives and finally by grace. In retrospect, I wish I had had the information and discussion opportunities I have now by sharing with you guys. It would not have made my belief any stronger but I may have gotten here sooner, or maybe not. Instead I was surrounded by non-questioning “believers” who I think learned the scripture but missed much of the message.
As far as the Tribulation and the Rapture, I think we are tried by tribulation throughout our lives and that the belief in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the ever-present rapture that sees us through the difficulties. I realize I am mixing everyday meanings with Scriptural meanings, much like we sometimes confuse everyday meanings with mathematical terminology, like the word “theory.” However, it does convey what I think. If I am wrong I am sure one of you will guide me back to the path.
Because of the duality of ourselves, being both spirit and natural/physical humans, it is often very difficult to be a Christian, especially when you consider that Jesus told us that just thinking sinful thoughts is as egregious as actually doing sinful things. Accordingly, I see life more as a maze with many dead ends and a confusing path to the goal. Many don’t even know the goal, Peace and Love in Christ, and stay eternally lost seeking other ends. Yet, once you find Christ the goal suddenly appears, bright and shiney, and the path becomes clear.
Simply being a Christian means we accept the fact of Jesus, the purpose of Jesus, and the fact that he died for our sins, relieving us of them forever by just believing and striving for His perfection while knowing we can’t get there.
Similarly, it can put a knot in your brain contemplating infinity concerning time and space. To think of eternal peace and love is beyond my grasp at the moment. In this plane, even the most satisfying and pleasurable activities, thoughts, sights, sounds, etc., soon deaden after repeated exposure. They lose their oomph. I can get lost in the feeling of the presence of God and it is a magnificent feeling, a rapture so to speak, and I try to stay aware of that throughout the day and night, but contemplating that for eternity is still difficult. Surely we become truly transformed into something beyond what we are here on Earth.
I am sure you guys can guide me through that, too.