I hear it so often: “I’m ready for the Rapture.” I must admit that I say it quite often myself. The world situation seems to get worse and worse each day.

The hatred toward Israel is supernaturally evil, and there are so many people who hate Donald Trump because he’s trying to get America back on the right track. There’s a war between Russia and Ukraine, and Hamas just spreads its evil violence everywhere. Syria has just had an upheaval of their leadership; Assad ran off to Russia for protection while another group of terrorists took over. It’s just a matter of time until Isaiah 17:1 is fulfilled and Damascus becomes a ruinous heap.

It amazes me that so many people seem to support all things that are opposed to God. Not only politically but morally. The “alphabet” group who want respect and acceptance but do nothing to earn respect are truly in need of salvation.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

That seems to describe life today. What is it that causes people to choose evil ways over good?

Satan is the one who influences us to choose evil. He has been around since the beginning, and he is opposed to God. Satan encourages the spirit of antichrist. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18).

We are living in the last days. The Apostle John wrote those words many centuries ago, and it seems as if he was expecting Jesus to return at any moment. Brothers and sisters, we should have that same mindset. It’s obvious that the spirit of antichrist is strong, and that should tell us that the Rapture is nearing.

What does John mean when he uses the term “antichrist”? The Greek word is “antichristos,” and according to Vines Expository Dictionary, it can mean either “against Christ” or “instead of Christ.” We can see that spirit all around us. So many people choose to worship the god of this world, Satan, and allow his evil to rule. Instead of repenting of sin and letting Christ rule in one’s life, many choose to embrace the god of self and worship the ways of the world.

Until Christ calls us Home, we have to live in this world. Temptations and sin are all around us, and the evil seems to be growing stronger. It would be a relief if we didn’t have to live where so many people are opposed to Jesus and see Christians as a threat to their “fun.” In many countries, it is unlawful to follow Christ. Persecution is strong, and I admire any Christian who can rise above the persecution and stand firm on their faith. Jesus knew that His followers would face many challenges, and His final prayer included a prayer for you and me. He asked for God the Father to protect us.

“And now come I to thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:13-17, 20).

If all Christians were gone from the world, there would be great tribulation. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and He restrains the full spirit of antichrist from controlling all people. A day is coming when all Christians will be taken Home to be with the Lord, and students of prophecy can see it will be soon. Evil is growing stronger, many preachers are preaching to tickle ears instead of standing solid on Scripture, and the evil hatred of Israel is growing stronger. These are all attitudes that tell us time is growing short.

The spirit of antichrist is powerful but has no power over the true Christ. Christians must not embrace the world but be strong in our faith and follow Christ without wavering. There will be a man who is more than the spirit of antichrist. He will be known as the Antichrist. It’s my belief that this man is alive today and will only show himself after Christians are raptured.

The Apostle Paul spent three weeks in Thessalonica and taught the new believers there about the Rapture. Life held troubles for them, and they became concerned that they had missed the Rapture. They listened to false teachers who confused God’s truth, so Paul wrote to straighten out their thinking.

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

The King James wording is a bit hard to understand, so let’s see it in the New King James. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, NKJ).

Only God can restrain sin, so we can be sure it is God the Holy Spirit restraining the evil that will take over the earth. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so when we are taken Home in the Rapture, the Antichrist will have nothing to restrain his evil. Don’t misunderstand me; the Holy Spirit will still be active on earth, and people will come to faith during the Tribulation, but they will not be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It will be very difficult for them.

I would like to rush the Rapture. This world is getting darker and more wicked every day. Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, and it’s hard to keep up with it all. The pieces are all falling into place quickly. As we watch the signs of the times, we can see that Israel is under tremendous attack, but they are beginning to get ready to rebuild the Temple, and the Anti-Christ will allow that to happen. He will occupy the Temple, causing the Abomination of Desolation described by Daniel and by Jesus to happen. We can also see the stage being set for the Ezekiel war.

AI will certainly play a huge part in the final days, and I believe it is making the way for the Mark of the Beast. These are things that will take place after the Rapture. Brothers and sisters, the Rapture is our Blessed Hope. God has not appointed us to wrath, but Christ will take His bride to be with Him to protect us.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:12-15).

Only God knows when the Rapture will take place. It isn’t dependent upon a day or Jewish feast, but it is dependent upon a number. When Jesus walked this earth, He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies. The Scribes and Pharisees studied the Law and the Prophets but twisted God’s words to fit their own self-interest. Many modern preachers do that same thing. Because Christ, the Messiah, was rejected by the Jewish leaders, the nation was blinded, so they couldn’t accept Him. At that time, God turned His focus from Israel to Christians, but that will change after the Rapture. God’s focus will return to Israel, and when they call upon Jesus as their Messiah, He will fight for them. Much will happen before then. The Rapture must happen first. If you desire to rush the Rapture, then share the Gospel with others; bring them to faith in Christ.

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25).

Be sure of your own faith and have answers for questions you will be asked. Prepare in advance, and pray continually.

God doesn’t want anybody to die without coming to salvation through Jesus. Sometimes it seems as if God is very slow to take us Home, but that’s because He wants everyone to have the opportunity for salvation.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:19).

We can’t rush the Rapture, but we can share the Gospel and give others the opportunity to come to Christ before it’s too late. Maybe that is rushing it.

Keep listening for His call for all Christians to join Him in eternity. What a day that will be!

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

What is the definition of love? Well, if you look in the dictionary, you’ll find some superficial meanings. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Love is defined as a noun. “A feeling of affection and concern toward another person, kinship or close friendship. A strong feeling of affection and concern for another person accompanied by sexual attraction. A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.”

See what I mean? Love is a noun, but it should also be a verb, which is an action word. For a Christian, love should be the motivation to show God’s love to a lost world. This world is ruled by Satan, and he has corrupted love, just like he corrupts all lovely things from God. He corrupted the perfect life in the Garden of Eden, and he has turned love into a self-centered thing that doesn’t resemble God’s love at all. God’s love is perfect. He is forgiving to those who are repentant. He has rules because He knows what is best. He sent His only Son to give His life as the final sacrifice to take our sins away. That’s love.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The world can only bring death and unhappiness. Only faith in Jesus Christ can bring eternal life and the joy of salvation.

If we love God, we put selfish motives behind us and care for other people. The Apostle Paul was totally changed by God’s love. He had been a very angry man who hated Christians. He was on his way to arrest a group of Christians who had fled to Damascus, and that’s where he met Jesus. From that moment on, his life was changed. He became a Christian and a leader in the Christian community. His letters, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have guided Christians for nearly 2,000 years. If modern missionaries followed Paul’s example, we would have many more people accept Christ. He understood God’s love.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Is this talking about love or about charity? I really don’t know why the King James translators used the word “charity,” but we need to look at the Greek word for charity. It’s “agape,” which is defined as affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love. Most modern translations translate agape as love.

Paul had learned a lot since he met Jesus. He could do all kinds of works, but that wouldn’t be love. Many Christians feel pride if they speak in tongues and use other gifts of the Spirit to prove their “holiness.” In truth, none of those things replace love. If you speak in tongues but then use your mouth to use vulgar language or don’t have a Godly love for other people, then you’re just making noise. If your knowledge of Scripture is deep but you don’t have love for others, then you’re not truly understanding Scripture. Christian love is a verb.

How does God’s love shine in your life?

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

There are some words in that passage that may need defining. Love is patient and kind. If you lose patience with others, then you’re putting yourself above them. Jesus, God Himself, is kind and patient with you, and we must use Him as our example to follow. If you love like God loves, you won’t be jealous of others or strut around showing off; you won’t be filled with pride. Love won’t let you be rude or demand your own way. You won’t be easily angered by the shortcomings of others, and you won’t think evil toward others. Love doesn’t take joy when evil happens but rejoices in truth.

Love doesn’t give up on others. If you’re a parent and have a rebellious child, you don’t stop loving that child and praying for repentance; you believe the child can and will change, and whatever the circumstance, you love them through the problems. That’s how God loves you. Even when we fail, He loves us. You can be more tolerant of others when you honestly look at yourself and see your faults, but know that God loves you anyway. God’s love is perfect love, and we need to strive to live to honor Him. God is the true definition of love.

Works cannot save us; only faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus will bring repentance to our hearts and salvation for our souls. Doing good things is the result of our faith, or it should be. We can tell the world we love Jesus, but if we don’t have love, we are showing others a dead faith.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20).

The problem with works is that many times works are used instead of faith and love. It can be easy to show others how Christian you are because you speak in tongues, but that means nothing if you turn around and brag about your gift or speak evil of others. Is that showing God’s love? No, it isn’t. Go back through the list of things that Paul named as things that reflect God’s love and attitudes that are opposed to God’s love, and see if you need to change your actions to reflect God. Are you short-tempered? Maybe you’re jealous of others.

I’m not pointing fingers, because I see myself in that list. On the other hand, recently, I have had a very difficult situation. Some Christian friends have shown me the sacrificial love of God, and I’m very humbled by their kindness. I truly don’t know what I would have done without these fellow Christians who have done so much. I thank God for them and hope that somehow I can pass a blessing on to someone else. The kindnesses they’ve shown are seen by others who aren’t Christians, and that is an added blessing that could draw a lost soul to salvation.

God’s love is eternal. He has given us blessings in this life that are amazing. The gift of speaking in tongues is one of those blessings, if used properly. He has given us prophecy to be a guide as we move swiftly to the end of time. He has given men wisdom to understand the truth of His word. These, and other gifts, are wonderful blessings from God, but one day, they will be meaningless.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Love is eternal. The love of God will take Christians to eternity with Jesus. He is building a mansion for us right now. The building is almost done and ready for His bride. If you love God, then share the Gospel with someone, but let the Holy Spirit guide you in presenting the Gospel. Show His love to someone who just might be ready to accept God’s love. If you don’t speak up, they may miss their chance for salvation. Or, you could be the one who shares the Gospel with the final person to accept Christ in order for the Rapture to happen. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Instead of looking in a dictionary for the definition of love, look to Scripture. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

Just like sugar is sweet and water is wet, God is love.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).