The Ballestero Blog

They Won’t Leave Without Us, They Never Do.

I sat by the window eating a Chicago style hot dog in the Detroit Airport’s National Coney Island Restaurant. I watched as Delta’s ground crew loaded containers into the belly of their huge Jumbo Jet at Gate A50.

An Asian family intently watched the loading of the cargo. I heard them try to guess which containers were theirs.

Two Asian college students sat nearby. They all seemed to be traveling together. I finished my loaded hot dog and chips, and washed it down my Mountain Dew.  The ground crew finished up and closed all the doors and hatches.

The older man at the next table hurriedly left the restaurant and in 2 minutes returned. “They’re boarding right now,” he said. “Hurry!”

The waitress sat two large salads down in front of the students. The kid that spoke English had just taken his 1^st bite of chef salad with an additional topping of Thousand Island. He didn’t seem to be bothered by the news.

I wondered what response the father’s words would bring from him.

“Don’t worry,” said the teen. “They won’t leave without us. They never do.”

He continued to finish his salad. While the father hurried back toward the gate. The kids continued to sit and talk about college courses. I heard him called Brian.

I paid my check and walked out.

I was ticketed on a Delta flight to Atlanta. My Gate was A47 which was nearly straight across from A50. I could see that no one was at the gate besides the Delta people. All of the passengers were already on board.

I watched as Delta Agent made an announcement for the departure of their flight to Seoul, South Korea. She then paged a list of 20 or so passengers that had not checked in. One of the names mentioned was Brian Hong. She finished by saying, “All passengers should now be on board.”

There was no one insight hurrying toward Gate A50.

In a little bit, although there was a second announcement, there still was no Brian.

Five minutes later, there was a third one was made. I marveled that Delta had even bothered to give them all a second chance, let alone a third one.

Another five minutes later they made a fourth announcement. I didn’t see anyone hurrying toward the gate. Brian was a no-show.

A Delta pilot with 24 years sonority stood next to me. I voiced my surprise at the patience of the airlines. He shook his head in lack of agreement. Sometimes he said, they even try to leave without me and I’m the pilot. We chuckled at the absurd thought.

A fifth announcement came and then amazingly, a sixth. Each time they still mentioned all of the ‘no shows.’ Brian Hong’s name was called every time.

My plane’s departure time had gotten pushed back a couple of hours. I had time to watch and wait.

The Jumbo Jet at A50 finally left.

One hour or so later, Brian Hong walked up to my gate and talked to the Gate Agent. He was trying to get a flight to Atlanta. He had been left behind. He had to make alternative arrangements.

The father had only warned him once that the flight was boarding. But Brian didn’t believe there was an urgency. He acted like he thought he was really educated in how things worked. After all, he was a college student. He was wiser than his father. He had plenty of time. He could beat the system. The rules didn’t apply to him. He would do whatever he wanted and others could wait on him.

The final line is that he missed his flight. It left without him.  Brian had to make alternative plans.

I don’t know about anymore of what happened to Brian. He didn’t make it on the Atlanta flight either.

This subject brings the focus now to my one remaining question.

So… what are you going to do if you miss the rapture?

I know, I know, there are some that say He isn’t coming. There are even those that say He is, but you have plenty of time.

• But you don’t!
• Jesus is coming!
• No one seems interested in the voice that announces Jesus is coming,”
• Not very many are watching for His return.
• We won’t even be as fortunate as Brian Hong. We won’t be able to make alternative arrangements if we miss the coming of the Lord.
• God doesn’t owe us warning after warning.
• Don’t make Brian Hong’s mistake.

In the last days it has been prophesied that they will be eating and drinking (Like Brian)… acting like they’ve got a lot of time.

This generation is also saying, “They Won’t Leave Without Us, They Never Do.”

But Delta did!

The departure of the Glorious Church is now being announced.

All passengers should now be on board. Are you?