Every day that the Lord gives me, my prayer is, “Come, Lord Jesus; today would not be too early!” With each passing day, it is obvious this world is heading toward that last 7-year period known as the Tribulation or God’s Wrath. All the signs of Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, and those given by numerous prophets, are present and are intensifying daily, and in some cases hourly. (any emphasis is mine)
The next main event on the end-time countdown will be the Rapture of Jesus’ Church – all believers. There is no named “evangelical organization” that makes up His Church; only those individuals who identify as bible-believing Christians.
This is for Jew and Gentile alike. All, everyone, all over the world, who call on the most precious name of Jesus, will be saved. This was first given in Joel 2:32 and again in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13, almost word for word. It says, “And it shall come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” In Joel, Jesus had not been here yet, but he had already gone back to Heaven in Acts and Romans. This is a promise by our Most Holy Father, and He cannot lie. (Titus 1:2)
Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at an ever-increasing pace as never before. Yes, there have always been satanic attacks, and false prophets trying to lead people away from Jesus; and Israel is hated by almost the whole world. However, the present-day intensity is reaching a “fever-pitch.”
The Ezekiel 38 coalition is in place for the first time ever, and there will be a spark in the near future that will set off that prophesied war. God said He would put “hooks” in the armies that will attack Israel. Russia, Turkey and Iran are the main aggressors who will be joined by a couple other nations who will try to totally annihilate Israel, and take over their natural resources. Their economies have been suffering, and they’re all in the process of falling into financial ruin. Then, there is Israel; a tiny nation with massive natural gas and oil deposits, and land that the Jews turned from barren desert waste into fertile soil. It may only be about the size of New Jersey, but it is also one of the richest nations on earth. Israel exports fruits, vegetables and wine all around Europe and other parts of the world.
Add to this the anger issues in the United States, which are getting more aggressive daily. There is open worship of Satan, and anything that is remotely connected to Jesus is deemed to be hate-oriented. Christian businesses have been the target of the alternative lifestyle people (LGBT and all the other letters), who try to get them shut down. With so many liberal judges in the lower courts, most of the lawsuits are bound for the Supreme Court, but that takes sometimes years to get resolved. Meanwhile, the Christians are blocked from making a living.
To the secular world, this is troubling to say the least. For many, there is no hope in sight as our so-called leaders are going further and further to the radical left. Even some “conservative” Congress people are joining in the attacks on our President. Our President and Vice President and anyone else in Congress who proclaim to be Christian are verbally attacked for their beliefs. In some instances, the radical left has harassed them outside their homes, and even in public places where the Christians have been with their families. It’s a total disgrace, but not unexpected.
The Bible covers what this world will be like just before and during the Tribulation years. Again, I refer you to Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3. Also, 1 John 2 and 3, 2 Peter 3, Daniel and Revelation.
For true believers, we need to be excited about all that’s happening; not because of all the hate and pure evil that is prominent worldwide, but because the next major event on the end-time calendar is just for us.
No, we don’t enjoy all that is happening, or look forward to what the earth will go through for 7 years. All who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior, asked His forgiveness and long to be with Him in Heaven, will go through a “hell-on-earth” scenario.
There are numerous places in the Bible that speak of the Wrath, and the events of that 7-year period, but mainly in Daniel and Revelation. The best news is that all true believers will not be here for that Tribulation.
Our Lord and Savior gave us a pathway to forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life in Heaven through His pure blood sacrifice at Calvary on an Old Rugged Cross. He will come back to rescue us from that wrath by calling us up to meet Him in the air, so we won’t be here to suffer God’s Wrath on this sinful world. The dead in Christ (all believers from Calvary to the present day) will rise up first; then all believers who are still alive at that time will rise up next (1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). All will be converted to our eternal, immortal bodies. This “harpazo” (Rapture) takes place before the appearance of the final antichrist, who will be indwelt by Satan.
The amazing part is that the Rapture will take place in less than one second. Paul says it will be in the twinkling of an eye in 1 Corinthians 15:52.
For all who are anticipating the return of Our Savior, we are also looking forward to our appearance at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). This will be our “rewards” ceremony to receive or lose rewards, depending on how we served Our Savior on this earth. The one reward I really look forward to is the Crown of Righteousness that will be given to all who sincerely are looking for the return of Jesus, and longing for His appearance.
What a day that will be! There will actually be two great days as we enter the end of this age. First is the Rapture to take all believers Home. Then there will be the “touch-earth” return of Jesus at the end of the 7-year Tribulation, to put down the “rebellion” and to set up His throne in Jerusalem to rule from earth for 1,000 years. Both will be cause for joy and celebration, but personally, I’m looking for the first great event!
The gospel song, “What A Day That Will Be,” was written by Jim Hill in 1955. There is a YouTube video showing him singing this song. Many other artists have recorded this inspirational message. When I read the words, I look forward even more for that moment when we will be called up to meet Jesus. I will finally be able to bow down at His feet, and thank Him for saving someone as unworthy as I. The lyrics:
- There is coming a day when no heartache shall come; no more clouds in the sky; no more tears to dim the eye. All is peace forevermore on that happy Golden shore. What a day, glorious day that will be.
- What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. And I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day, that will be.
- There’ll be no sorrow there; no more burdens to bear. No more sickness, no pain; no more parting over there. And forever I will be with the One who died for me. What a day, glorious day, that will be. (repeat C.)
As each day passes, people are saying it can’t possibly get worse. For those following Satan, this has become a challenge to prove it can, and will, get worse.
For the Rapture to be in our future, we must receive the free gift Jesus provided, and accept Him as our one and only Savior and Lord (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13 and John 14:6). We believe the Bible is the true word of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we have faith that everything needed for our Salvation was accomplished at Calvary.
When you consider where the attitudes were just a decade ago compared to right now, it’s almost impossible to not see the world has changed, and not for the better.
He could call today, tomorrow or anytime in the near future. One thing is for certain; it will happen! To be prepared, call on Him today – right now. To wait could very well put you in a period of time you don’t want any part of. He’s waiting patiently and will not turn anyone away. He will not force anyone to accept Him either. For believers, we say, “Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus.”
Shalom