Looking around the world today, anyone who has studied Bible Prophecy would say we are definitely at the end of this age. Changes have taken place that are being blamed on a “pandemic” that are really a prelude to the one-world government, one-world currency, new world order, and the introduction of the ultimate antichrist. We are not in the tribulation 7-year period yet, but it’s just a step away. (any emphasis mine)
The first step that will happen is the harpazo, Rapture, or “taking up” of all true believers to meet Jesus in the air. To refresh our minds about this process, we need to re-visit 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
First, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers [and sisters], about those who are asleep [have died], that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, and with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the Trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.” (ESV)
One point here: this is not the second coming for the Lord to put down the “rebellion” and to rule from Jerusalem for 1,000 years. What is described above is the removal of all believers, not any certain organized evangelical or other religion, from the earth to avoid the coming wrath. That is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 and Revelation 3:10, as three promises of the Father to keep us from that 7-year tribulation.
Also, all who have died since Calvary, who received and accepted Jesus as their Savior, will be with Him in the air. Their human remains, no matter how small, will rise up to meet their spirits, and they will receive a new forever immortal body. Those who are alive at the calling up will be transformed into their forever bodies on the way up to meet Jesus.
How long will all this take?
We’re given this answer in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet [of God] will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”
The term “twinkling of an eye” has been calculated by people definitely more knowledgeable than I, as considerably less than one second. It’s the time that it takes for light to enter the eye and reach the back of the eye. That’s faster than a “blink.” Anyway, some would say this is impossible, but we’re talking about our Creator, and all things are possible with Him.
Luke 21:25-26 states, “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
This world is being programmed for the “reset” and takeover by the new world order. It is satanically inspired, as the Corona Virus was not an overnight phenomenon. There is documentation available that shows this concept has been planned for at least the last decade. Timing and propaganda were key factors, and most of our so-called news networks put out what the liberal left tells them.
Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and others told us about false prophets and antichrists being here in the last days. Fact is, they were present in their day as well, but the atmosphere of today’s world has allowed them to thrive. Worship of Satan has been brought out into the open, mostly over the last decade. In numerous places, there are even “churches” of Satan; talk about a misnomer! Paul tells about a “deluding influence” in 2 Thessalonians 2, and it’s obvious that a degree of it is here right now.
For those who are believers in our Lord and Savior, we are concerned about all the evil influence that is spreading worldwide, but we should not be in total fear or despair. In fact, as Jesus said in Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Every sign and every attitude given has gone beyond the “begin” phase. Weather patterns, plagues of locusts over a large area, worldwide pandemic, people hating anything to do with Jesus, and so-called evangelical churches changing God’s word to fit today’s activities that God called abominations, are now common occurrences. Paul spoke of people being lovers of self, proud, arrogant, abusive and many other negative traits that we see all around us.
Whatever are we to do? How about Isaiah 41:10; “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
It’s natural to feel dismayed by all the negativity around us, but inside, we should actually be getting excited. Our Jesus is going to call soon, and all who have truly called on Him to be their Savior will be taken away from all this nonsense. We don’t know the exact day or hour, or even minute, but as it is, He could be here any second now. Don’t forget the speed of “twinkling of an eye.”
Those who have Jesus right now will be taken. Those who wait until the Rapture takes place will enter the tribulation. From the Bible’s description of that time, it will be worse than any other time this earth has experienced.
Sadly, it is estimated that only about 10% of the total world’s population will be raptured. Only about 1% to 2% of the Jewish people are Messianic and will miss the Wrath Period. Join the “limited” total, and be assured a place with the Savior. See Romans 10:9-13 for the process.
No matter what, no one should want to stay and try to accept Jesus later. The cost will be martyrdom in very unpleasant ways.
He’s waiting for your call but won’t wait much longer. This would be the absolute most important decision you will ever make. Call out today, and He promises He will accept all who truly call on Him (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).
Maranatha!