1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Th 5:3-5 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Rise and shine 🙂 Are you ready to dive into today’s topic? So what’s next on God’s prophetic calendar? The Rapture is the next major event according to God’s Word. Notice who is spoken of in the verses above? The Apostle Paul describes two groups: “they/them” and “ye”! Those referenced as “they/them” will say “Peace and safety” meaning that they are not looking for judgment from God – they think everything is OK. However, Paul says “they shall not escape.” Escape what? They shall not escape the Tribulation.
Then Paul changes to the ones he’s speaking to. He tells the Thessalonians that “But ye brethren” are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief! Wow! Paul starts the very next sentence with the word “But”! Then he continues to say that the brethren (those who are in Christ, born again) are NOT in darkness that that day (what day – the Tribulation) should overtake them. He had taught them about the Rapture and he is reminding them of that teaching.
Born again believers world wide are looking for this next prophetic event on God’s calendar!!! As a reminder, the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible, but neither is the word “bible”! The terminology used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is “caught up”:
1 Th 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
As you recall from my previous posts, the New Testament was written in Greek and translated into English. The Greek word for “caught up” is:
ἁρπάζω harpazō har-pad’-zo From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): – catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Strong’s Concordance
Either way you look at this term as it relates to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, you see that “caught up” indicates that there will be some kind of removal of believers that will be done and those believers will meet Christ “in the air” and we’ll be with Him forever. Who will be caught up?
the dead in Christ will rise first
and thenwe which are alive
How will they be “caught up” according to the Greek word “harpazo’s” definition? They:
will be caught away
will be caught up
will be plucked
will be pulled
will be taken by force” from this earth into the air!
This same Greek word was used in Acts 8:30 when Philip was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord after he led the Ethiopian eunuch to salvation and afterward baptized him.
Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Either definition you pick from the Greek definition, Christians will be removed quickly: in the twinkling of an eye!
1 Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Only two types of Christians will be raptured, reader! Those who are already dead and those who are alive at the time the Rapture occurs. The picture at the top of this post is a wonderful depiction of the blessed event! Notice that there were two in the grave, two in bed, and two in the field working. Only one of each category was caught up and the others stayed on earth. Paul says that sudden destruction will come upon those people who remain on earth after the Rapture. These people may have already heard the gospel preached and decided they loved their sin more than living for the Lord. How sad is that?
Praise the Lord! \o/ Does this topic excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not born again, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
2 Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Good morning! With my cup of coffee in hand, I’m ready to keep writing about my favorite topic 😀 Have you been enjoying this series? I’d love to hear from you – give me your thoughts thus far! As I first read these verses (above) when I was first saved in 1980, I could not “see” this happening in the Church yet. Now, 42 years later, I see it so clearly! This is why Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that they were not in the end times yet because a great falling away had not occurred yet:
2Th 2:2-3 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Current events are proof to us that we are in the end times. When we look at the church today in comparison to early American days, we see that people have been drawn away from the Scriptures. The Scriptures can change the heart and draw the unsaved to salvation in Christ. We see people who are more interested in listening to a motivational speaker than hearing and learning the Scriptures. This is the “falling away” which is also called apostasy. It simply means they have turned away from the original foundation of the Scriptures. They prefer to hear messages that make them feel good. They appear religious because they are “attending church” – having a “form of godliness”! Dear Reader, does this sound like you? Please, I beg of you, keep reading!
2 Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Those who “profess” Christ but are not born again fit perfectly in this passage. One of the most famous preachers of today and is known to pastor the largest church in our country, says he’s not there to preach the negative but to preach the positive. What does the Bible say about preaching of this kind? Jesus preached on the negatives and made it clear that one must be born again (John 3:3, 3:7). He pointed out sin to the woman at the well. He preached about Hell. Reader, the whole Gospel must be preached, not just the feel good stuff. It would be like only eating bacon and eggs three times a day. You would not have a balanced diet and you would become malnourished, lacking vitamins and proper nutrition. The long-term effects of such a diet would lead to clogged arteries and death. It’s not any different from hearing only the positives. This will make you spiritually malnourished and will lead to spiritual death and eternity in Hell.
Friend, if you sit in a church service long enough and truly listen to what is being preached, you can tell if what you’re hearing is appealing to your flesh or pricking your heart. The single most important truth of Scripture is that God loves you and wants you to be saved. The truth of 2 Timothy 4:4 is just that: Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
No one can enter Heaven except by Him. The Gospel message on how to be saved is the core of Christianity. After salvation, the Bible becomes the best self-help book there is! It teaches you all about God, His plan and His character (Old Testament), His wonderful salvation (New Testament), how to live our lives (i.e., the Book of James for example), etc. However, the Bible will mean nothing to the reader without salvation.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
I heard a lot of people talking about salvation when I was first saved in 1980. Now, not so much. 😢 Fortunately, the church I attend is blessed to have a Pastor that believes in preaching about it. When you look through YouTube, you hear many preachers who don’t.
There has never been more “other ways to get to heaven” than today. Friend, that path is only through Jesus Christ and Him only. Some churches have added to this doctrine and claim there are a bunch of things you have to do or you have to have another book to go along with the Bible. Jesus made it quite clear what needed to be done in one Book and that is His Holy Word alone. If we see these signs of the end times, does it not stand to reason that the Rapture is at the door? It seemed “at the door” when I was first saved; all the more now. Now I see clearly that in 1980, the total apostasy had yet to arrive. It surely has arrived now.
Let’s get back on topic of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. In the world today, there are many religions. According to reference.com, it is mind boggling how many there are:
The precise number of religions in the world is not known, but available estimates show the number to be about 4,300, according to Adherents.com.
Wow! Remember what verse 4 says, reader! If these religions are not preaching Christ as the only way to Heaven, they are preaching fables to their congregation and adding to this great falling away. Unfortunately, many fables are preached in “Christian” congregations as well. That is why it is so important for us to be familiar with our Bibles so that we can easily spot errors quickly. The Lord God would not lie to us nor would he have many roads to Heaven. If He did, what would have been the point of Christ coming to earth to die for our sins?
2 Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This tells us to study ourselves approved unto God, not to be approved by men! Study what? The answer is the word of truth! Jesus tells us what “the word of truth” is as He’s praying to His Father in Heaven:
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
God’s Word, the Bible, is truth. If the Bible is truth, then all other books or man-made doctrines are not! Is it any wonder why in these end times there is a great falling away? This great apostasy has been around for a while but it is a lot more noticeable now! Those who are part of the apostasy have turned away their ears from the Truth (God’s Holy Word) and they only listen to what makes them feel good.
The hearts of man today don’t want revival because of the times we live in. The times are evil and the hearts of men are primed for these end times and the Tribulation. They will follow the one world religion because they cannot discern what is truth. Hopefully this pricks the searching heart today and one person will want to be saved. If you are this person, don’t give in to the fables of this world.
2 Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
You may say that this has been going on for a long time and things are no different today. However, the Bible says that apostasy will increase more and more. Paul warned of this:
2 Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Be honest, is this you? Are you part of the apostasy of the end times? It’s not too late to change that. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
It’s another beautiful morning both outside and inside! Good morning! All of the posts in this series have been revolving around the Rapture and some end time news. But how do we know we are in the end times? Like any other teaching, we Christians must back everything with the Scriptures, like good Bereans, amen?
The Bible’s Old Testament Prophets (major prophets and minor prophets) can be found from Isaiah to Malachi. One of the major prophets, Daniel, reveals a lot about these end times. For example,
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Do you see and understand that, reader? Daniel was told in verse four of this prophecy that in the “time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Before the 1900’s, man traveled pretty much the same way as in Old Testament times. Then cars, bullet trains, and planes just kept getting better and better. We can see how “many run to and fro.” You might say that I am stretching it here but just think about Daniel for a moment. He never saw a car, train or plane: yet he was trying to describe his vision. He finished writing this book around 530 BC so to him, it must have appeared as though “many shall run to and fro.”
Secondly, Daniel 12:4 states that “knowledge shall be increased.” Wow! Homes began having their own version of a computer in the late 1980’s. I know this because I lived in one of those homes where my computer had a 10MB hard drive!!!! I thought that was wonderful, LOL! According to IBM in 2009, “In the next couple of years, information will double every 11 hours.” Today, there are thumb drives that are 2 terabytes (TB)!!! (10 MB = 0.00001 TB). Today’s laptops are millions of times more powerful than the original UNIVAC computer built in 1951! I think we can safely say that knowledge has increased since Daniel’s time.
To further “blow your minds,” let’s just think about cell phones! Do you remember the first ones? That’s why I put a graphic of one of the first cell phones above. The only thing this cell phone could do is make a call. Nothing else! Now cell phones can go on the internet while you are talking on its speaker and sending an email, all at the same time!
Rev 11:8-9 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Can you see now how the two witnesses’ death in Revelations will be seen all over the world? Friend, we are most certainly in the end times. If the Thessalonians thought they were in the end times, how much more are we in those end times today?
The Bible is clear as to what events lead into the end times, as we see in Daniel. And since we are in those end times, then we can look up and see that the Rapture is not only imminent but if we are still alive, WE will be the ones to experience it! Praise the Lord!! \o/
Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
2 Pe 3:3-9 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9) 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.
Bon jour and good morning! Are you ready for a new day? I’m thankful to be alive in a time such as this, are you? We get to see what new story or event will occur that will excite us about that “any moment” coming of the Lord and the Rapture of His Church!
Today’s verses are extremely appropriate for today, don’t you think? Today, people ridicule everything. Just try spending but a few minutes on social media and you’ll understand why I say this! Due to social media’s anonymity, people think they have the freedom to castigate and belittle others without fear of repercussions. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines them as:
SCOFF’ER, n. One who scoffs; one that mocks, derides or reproaches in the language of contempt; a scorner.
As we see the end times’ events that are upon us, we can just imagine what will happen as it relates to the topic of Christ’s coming.
The world has seen the makings of a one-world religion already. The ecumenical movement is alive and well and compromise between religions has been in the makings for some time. Because of this, the conservative evangelicals are being scoffed at and division is becoming more prevalent. In Muslim countries, Christians are the most persecuted people in the world at the moment. Then the divisions have set in, sadly even amongst Christians, families and friends. The pandemic is one of these and it has produced a division between the vaxed and unvaxed. It has produced a division between those who believe churches should stay opened and those who don’t. There’s division amongst believers! If this can happen now, can you imagine how it will be in a few years? I’d be interested in reading my post for today in five years and see how much worse it has gotten. On one of my posts about salvation and the Lord on Facebook, I was vehemently ostracized by a relative. She interpreted it as me being boastful and self-righteous. She accused me of thinking I was better than her. She claims to be religious and goes to church but her religion has misguided her. She is convinced that she MIGHT go to Heaven because of the church she belongs to. Wow! But her fight is not with me but with God and His Word. Today’s verse says that she is “willingly ignorant.” The world does scorn the faithful and they will do so much more as the end comes nearer.
Peter’s prophecy was written over 2,000 years ago, reader. The scoffers he references that will be in the last days began in the 1800’s and has gotten worse. We had Darwin and his “Origin of the Species” published in 1859. People began to say that Noah’s flood never happened. We can thank Charles Lyell’s book “Principles of Geology”! He stated that the geological strata were laid down gradually over millions of years. Of course, before then, scientists and the whole world knew about Noah’s flood and believed it. Then creationism was being questioned and the “Big Bang” theory came about, hanks to Georges Lemaître, a Belgian cosmologist and Catholic priest. His theory was supported by scientists like Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan. It is still considered a “theory,” yet the world has accepted this as fact! Can you see that we have scoffers? Furthermore, if we get right down to it, we can say that even the church is scoffing. Why? Supposed “Christians” are living together and not married. Supposed “Christians” are homosexuals. Supposed “Christians” believe there are more than two sexes! Friend, if it feels as though our world is falling apart and its moral values have gone out the window, it is because they have!
Just ask those in your own circle who claim to be “Christians” if they read their Bible. If they do not, they are “willingly ignorant“! You cannot go to church once, twice or even three times a week and expect to grow spiritually. What if you only had the opportunity to eat at the same time that you were reading your Bible? Would you get enough to eat? Would you die of starvation? Would you be anorexic? Think on this.
Be prepared, Christian! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Mat 24:7-8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The dawn is breaking and it’s time to wake up, dear reader! Wipe the sleep from your eyes, get that cup of your favorite morning beverage and let’s get going. I thought I would share some facts which are an indication to the end times.
I subscribe to an app that alerts me any time there is an earthquake that is greater than a 5.0 on the Richter Scale. Why you may ask? A message covering the Rapture and the end times is what drew me to the Lord! I’ve been excited about any topic dealing with the end times ever since! So let’s proceed.
Jesus’ message above mentioned that increased earthquakes would be indicative that we were in the end times. He mentioned that all these things listed in verse 7 are the “beginning of sorrows.” The New Testament was originally written in Greek and they can have several words for one word that we use in the English language. For example, the word “sorrows” in verse 8 according to the Greek is:
ōdin o-deen’ Akin to G3601; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth: – pain, sorrow, travail.
Strong’s Concordance
That Greek word tells us that when we see these increased famines, pestilences and earthquakes, it will be like having birth pains. Review the chart above. We can truly see these “birth pains” in today’s picture of earthquakes from the year 2000 through 2020 with a rating above a 5.0 rating on the Richter Scale. You can also see from 2004 to 2011, earthquakes rose significantly. Beginning in 2012, they decreased but they were still higher than the years prior 2011. This is exactly like labor pains. The pains get stronger and closer together.
The USGS states that there were three major earthquakes (greater than 6.0) in 1900. One hundred years later, in 2000, USGS recorded 160. This is more than 150 major quakes than in 1900. Between 1900 to 1918, USGS recorded 147 major quakes. This is 13 less jolts than the 160 recorded in 2000. Between 2000 to 2018, the USGS has already recorded 2,911 major quakes so far. This is an incredible 2,764 more tremors than between 1900 to 1918. And you can’t even load the map on the USGS website! Between 1900 to 1918, the yearly average number of major quakes was 12. Since 2000, this number has risen to 243/year.
This is just one of the three items mentioned in today’s Bible verse. I’m sure if we were to research the other two, we would find similar results. The fact that these three events will increase in frequency and intensity reveals to us that we are in fact in the end times. There’s no need to be scared for the born-again believer. It’s an exciting time for us to be alive actually. It means that we won’t die a physical death but be raptured! Do you realize how wonderful that is for the believer???? Imagine not dying!
Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Mat 24:6-7 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Wakey Wakey, eggs and bakey LOL! Are you alert and ready for your day? I’m the type of person that is fully awake once my feet hit the floor. However, some take a while to wake up. The Rapture will happen faster than my feet hitting the floor! The Bible says it will be in the twinkling of an eye! Wow! It’s been said that this occurs in eleven and one-hundredths of a second! Double Wow! I don’t want to miss this event and I’m 100% positive I won’t.
1 Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I’m not saying that difficult times won’t be part of our lives prior to the Rapture. The news is filled with the war that Russia has started in the Ukraine! It’s so sad to read about the death and destruction. But rather than concentrating on the news and the events, we must remember that we can’t dwell on the negatives. We must keep ourselves centered on Christ and His return, not on the antichrist and the who/what/when!
I’ve also been reading other articles that make it clear that we are currently in those end times. We must remember that the entire Old Testament revolves around Israel and their Messiah, King Jesus, including all the prophecies. One of the news articles that struck me today covers Israel’s main enemy, Iran.
Iran unveils ‘Khaibar-buster’ missile ‘capable of hitting American bases in the region and targets within Israel‘: Weapon is named after Jewish castle which was overrun by Muslims
The missile has high accuracy, is manufactured completely domestically, and can defeat missile shield systems, the report said, although this information has not been independently verified.
There has never been a time where Iran could attack from afar in efforts to destroy Israel. Now is that time! Wake up sleepy Christians and look up for your redemption draweth nigh! Our Redeemer can rapture us Home at any moment so let’s be found doing His work and leading as many as possible to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Jas 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Some say that we are currently in the Tribulation period and that those who believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture are blind to those evil powers in existence today who are running things. I understand perfectly that there are evil powers out there. The god of this world is very busy. However, the Book of Revelation details are very clear on what will happen during the Tribulation. Just in Chapter 6 alone, one-fourth of the population will die. Our current population on earth is 7.9 billion souls. A fourth of the population will die, which will be 1,975,000,000 (that’s 1.975 BILLION people) according to Revelation 6:8:
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
That will leave a population of 5 billion 925 million in the earth’s population. Many more will die as the Tribulation continues and the trumpet judgments begin. Why do I know this? The first trump alone brings a burning of a third of the earth, a third of the trees, and all green grass.
Rev 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
I won’t list everything here that is to come during this horrific time. However, we have not seen these things happen as of yet but they will happen. These are not symbolic! As well, the antichrist has not yet been revealed. Some believe that an organization like the Illuminati are running things. That could very well be true. Illuminati is Latin for “enlightened.” A simple internet search will produce hundreds of “enlightened” information. The first Illuminati occurred in the Garden of Eden with the serpent and Eve:
Gen 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Satan is at the root of enlightenment. After all, he is known as the angel of light:
2Co 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
I said all of this to say: It cannot be an “organization” that will be the antichrist. It will be a person who will make a treaty with Israel. He will proclaim himself to be God and will set himself in the Temple (which has not been built yet).
2Th 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
The devil has hated the Jews since the beginning. He was at the root of every earthly leader who has sought to destroy them (i.e., Hitler et al). His goal is to destroy Israel. Israel existed for about 680 years in the Old Testament. It did not come into existence again until May 14, 1948. This is an historical milestone, reader! When the Church began, Israel’s judgment was placed on hold until the Church is removed. Then Daniels’ 70th week begins at the signing of a treaty between the antichrist and Israel.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel says that the antichrist will confirm a covenant with Israel for one week. As we have seen in prior posts, one week is equivalent to 7 years. This covenant will usher in the Tribulation. Then in the middle of that 7 years, the antichrist will break that covenant and will stop the sacrifice and oblations in the Temple. There is no Temple in Israel yet. There are preparations currently being made but no actual Temple. Friend, it stands to reason that if the Temple is mentioned, it has to be built. Israel will be at the center of every war and judgment. God’s desire is that Israel repent and they believe on Jesus Christ, their Messiah. The Book of Revelation is NOT all symbolic. It refers to specific events that are in plain print and easily understood. Don’t be deceived by those who say that the Church and Israel are equal. That is called replacement theology and is a lie that began as early as the fourth century! In fact, I was taught this in Catholicism.
But reader, don’t be alarmed. The Bible says:
1Th 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
The peace and safety will appear to come when the antichrist signs the treaty with Israel which hails in the Tribulation. Those people who are excited about this peace and safety will receive sudden destruction! But read what Paul continues to tell us “But YE, BRETHREN, are NOT in darkness! Friend, why would Paul add that in if we believers are to be part of the sudden destruction? Paul continues to say:
(5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
So if I were to tell you of all the horrible things to come (i.e., plagues, wars, earthquakes, pestilences, lack of food, and destruction, and how Christians will have to die for their faith, etc., and how Christians will have to die for their faith, etc.,) during the Tribulation, how can I turn around and tell you: “Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another”? Come on! Do you think our Groom, Jesus Christ, would allow His Bride (the Church), to be hurt? Jesus said that the end would be just in the days of Noah. Noah was placed in the ark of protection. He was removed from the destruction and when the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat, a new earth began. The old earth was destroyed. When we are raptured, we go to Heaven to be with Christ. That will be the only time we see Heaven. Then Christ returns with us by His side and destroys the enemy. He then ushers in the Millennium and renews the earth. Both Noah and the Church are protected by God!
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
The Lamb, our Saviour and King, has not appointed us to wrath. But He will unleash His wrath during the Tribulation! The Church, the Bride of Christ, will be taken up before that peace treaty with Israel is signed by the antichrist.
Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
How’s your morning going so far? I start my morning standing at my Kuerig and enjoying the fragrance of that first cup of coffee. My office is the next stop where I spend time with my precious Saviour and Lord of my life. I speak to Him and He responds as I read my Bible. Some read the newspaper or news online to get started with their day. I do that as well but after my time with Him❣ I would rather feed my spirit from God’s Word so that I can filter my thoughts through His Word as I read other things.
It’s good, however, to be up-to-date in what’s going on in the world so we can be wise. I find that the news media is biased and not for the conservative side. There are only a couple of news channels that offer news from the conservative viewpoint but the rest are puppets of the world’s viewpoint. As I read, I know what to pray for and how I should be praying. The Holy Spirit has already prepared my heart as I started my day with the Lord!
The liberal media is trying to push a one-world government agenda and the first part of that involves brainwashing the citizens. Oh do we ever see this happening today! The vaccinated blame the unvaccinated, the political left blames the right. The unbelieving world uses the internet like a newspaper, believing everything they read as truth! I can’t recall a more evil and corrupt world than I see now. I heard a quote recently: “The problem of the heart is the heart of the problem!” This is so true. Although the churches are filled with people, they are not all necessarily born-again Christians – their heart has not been converted.
I was born again on April 1st, 1980. At that time, I could go visit strangers with the Pastor’s wife and talk to them about the Lord. However, today, not only would that be physically dangerous but would be classified as “hate speech”! I think it is good to share news stories as they relate with the Scriptures and, more specifically, the end times. They help us to see that the Rapture is imminent – it can happen at any moment (so be ready)!
Remember, reader, the Tribulation period is all about Israel. The Church did not replace Israel! The pause between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week ushered in the Church Age. After the Church Age (after the Rapture), God will resume His judgment on Israel and Daniel’s 70th week begins (the Tribulation). This same judgment will affect the entire globe, not just Israel. The Church is already with Christ in Heaven and ready for the Marriage Supper so the Church will not receive this judgment. God will spare the Church from going through this judgment for Israel’s spiritual rebellion and we will be kept from that time!
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
As we look at what the world’s condition is in at this time and await the Rapture, we will see both anti-Christian news and anti-Israel news and discrimination. Those of us who have been blessed to live in the United States are free to practice our faith at the moment. But as time draws nearer to the end, that wonderful privilege will be taken away. It took a pandemic to close most churches. Some remained opened and suffered the consequences of government interference. But oh how the world hated the fact that some pastors refused to close down their church. Some were arrested and placed in jail while other Christians applauded the arrest! It seems the world has gone topsy-turvy!
We are also seeing our constitutional freedoms being taken away. Our forefathers’ foundation is dwindling. The following article was posted on Christian Post on February 6th, 2022, (link below). The article is entitled “55 federal agencies tracking religious objection requests amid concern from conservatives”: the paragraphs which bothered me the most are below.
For example, the Treasury Department’s Office of Civil Rights and Diversity has stated its database will document all religious exemption requests and denials.
The office “will track and maintain ‘information about a requestor’s religious beliefs’ as well as the ‘informal dispute resolution’ of each person,” the Liberty Counsel Action statement reads.
“It will also record ‘correspondence,’ ‘supporting notes and documentation’ and even ‘records of oral conversations,’ on every person who requests an exemption. This database will track and record this level of information for everyone from ‘pre-employment, during current or former employment or for [attendees at] a particular event.’”
While there are variations in the rules across the government agencies, the group warns that “all of them are causing serious concern about invasive privacy violations by the federal government recording and permanentlystoring religious and medical data on those seeking exemptions.”
If this doesn’t bother you, it should! This is pointing toward the end times and the ability of the Antichrist to track those who do not receive his mark.
Rev 13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
How else can the Antichrist track people except they have some kind of mark? The Bible says that they will be forced to take his mark on their foreheads or right hand. What kind of mark is it? The Bible doesn’t say but it clearly says there will be one. Make no mistake, reader, those who accept this mark will be condemned to Hell and that is not a place you want to go to for all eternity!
As well, the one-world religion will prevent anyone from following any “spiritual” beliefs other than what they will teach. The enforcement of this will be imposed by the one-world government.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The biblical end times reveal that this tracking of information will be alive and well during the Tribulation. One must study the Word of God. Only the light of the Word of God can illuminate the heart and open the eyes of the blind. We must be wise! Ask the Lord to show you what is His will for you.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
The general rule of thumb for Christians should be: If the world is FOR something, you should question it because the world is evil! Do your research – read your Bible – pray asking for wisdom. God does not forsake His child.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
End time news can be exciting to the born-again Christian because they know their Blessed Hope can come for him/her any second! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story: fear sets in their hearts. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Look alive, Reader! Get excited and look up! The picture above gives you an idea of what the Rapture may look like! I have no idea what the world will see, if anything. The Bible does not go into that. But I can see (in my mind’s eye) something similar to this as I’m going up to meet Christ! Oh what a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see!!
I thought that we would do a review of Scriptures and those that refer to the Rapture, directly or indirectly. As a believer of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, I read verses with that particular event in mind. They do not indicate whether it will be Pre-Tribulation or not, but they are most certainly encouraging to the believer who is longing for Christ’s return! Who knows … it could be TODAY! \o/
Php 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Oh what praise we will sing when we receive our glorified body!!! \o/ I think of my dear precious, spiritual mother who has suffered with fibromyalgia since the 1970’s! She will no longer be in pain but instead, she will be able to face eternity with that new body!! No more pain – no more suffering! What a day that will be!
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Are you encouraged yet? Just the thought of Christ’s appearing excites the spirit within me! It’s like looking forward to a wonderful vacation but MUCH better! It’s a vacation like no other! Why? Because our destination is in Heaven where perfection is beheld in everything! Here it says that when He appears, we shall appear with Him in glory!
Tit 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Can you picture this? Christ’s glorious appearing is what every believer waits for with hope in his/her heart! If we were to go through the Tribulation, it would be extremely difficult to look forward to that blessed hope of seeing Him. Since it is a time of great suffering and tribulation that has NEVER occurred on earth, it would consume of our thoughts! We would be worried about where to hide, where to get our next meal, etc. Instead, we are looking for a blessed hope! Noah Webster defines hope as:
A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
Not only does Paul call it “hope,” but he tells us to look for the “blessed hope“!
Jas 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
The Rapture is closer to us now than it was at the Apostle James’ time of writing. The believers’ patience awaiting the Rapture is so needed, especially living in the world we live in now. The time is close – at any moment. We need to be busy winning souls to Christ, friend! God placed you in the exact place where He wants you to be. He has put people around you who are desperately lost. Be busy with His work – share the gospel and lead others to Him so they don’t miss out on this glorious hope!
1Jn 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
On a side note, how much hope would I have knowing that I will have to live through the most tumultuous time since the Great Flood? How much hope would I have knowing that I will have to deny the mark of the beast and possibly be tortured/killed for it? Although I know that Heaven is my home and I will go there once I die for my testimony, it would be frightening knowing this was my end. But instead, Paul said:
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
But I would have this hope if I am looking forward to Rapture! Unfortunately, most churches no longer preach about the Rapture at all, let alone the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. We Christians need to be encouraged to share Christ with as many people as possible and to share with them the same message of hope. The Rapture is what led me to Christ and I cannot be the only one. This is why I’m doing this series!
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Does the Rapture excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rise and shine, reader ☺! Pull up a chair and grab your cup of favorite beverage. Today’s picture was taken at Monticello, VA. A rain storm occurred while we were inside and when we come out, voila! 😲 It reminds me of Christ’s coming in the clouds to Rapture His Church! It is such an exciting thought, amen? I meditate on this event nearly every day and long to see Jesus and forever be with Him! Today’s post is a bit long but I promise a blessing (at least it was for me) when you read the part about the Jewish wedding❣
To truly understand the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint, one must understand that Christ’s next return occurs in two separate occasions, not just one. One appearance is in the clouds and the second is His return to earth in Israel. This is where other viewpoints get confused. They are not studying the Scriptures like good Bereans to make sure that what they are taught is in line with the Scriptures. The Bereans studied these things out for themselves: and so much more should we, Christian!
Act 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Bereans: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The Apostle Paul teaches us about the “mystery” of the Rapture. The word mystery is only found in the New Testament and it appears 22 times in the King James Version. We can be just as studious because we have those very Scriptures to study so we can learn about this mystery! What a blessing this is, especially in times like these. The world as we once knew it twenty years ago is now gone. In its place is a more evil world than we have ever seen. We are called to witness to others about the salvation of Christ. While we accomplish His task, we are to encourage one another about this wonderful and blessed topic of the Rapture.
1 Co 15:51-54 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
What is the Apostle Paul saying here? He’s saying that the dead in Christ will get their new bodies as they are taken up into the air (their spirits went to be with Christ upon the death of their earthly body). Those which are living when the Rapture occurs will receive their immortal body. Why? The body, flesh and blood, dies (corrupts) and cannot go into eternity because the body cannot live forever. However, the new body that we all receive while we go up will be one that does not die or decay but will live forever! Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us. Just as we discussed on my last post where Lot was removed from Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction and Noah and his family were saved, so will Jesus come for us and physically remove us from this earth before God’s wrath is released on the entire world.
Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The “hour of temptation” in Revelation 3:10 means “trial.” So believers will be kept from that trial which will come upon all the world! Scripture makes it clear there are two separate returns. The first coming of Christ (the Rapture) is clearly not to the earth but we will meet Him in the air. It is a time that no man knows the day or hour; it will come as a thief in the night. Anyone who has been robbed can tell you that they were not prepared for it. It happened quickly and at a time that was unknown to them.
1Th 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
This “day of the Lord” occurs in the air – in the clouds, not here on the earth. This is when He comes to get His Bride (the Church comprised of born-again believers) to take her to His Father’s house. When does it happen? It happens like a thief in the night.
The Second Coming of the Lord, however, is when He comes here to the earth, in Israel, and His bride will be with Him. Therefore, we have to already be in Heaven before this happens. When Christ comes to earth to wrap up the Tribulation period, He returns with us! On top of that, it is seen by all! It is not a mystery or a secret!
Rev 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Rev 19:11-15 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Only Christ’s blood can make us clean from sin, amen? The angels cannot be the ones comprising Christ’s army because they are not washed clean by the blood of Jesus. Revelation 19:8 says that it is the righteousness of the saints – the Church is made righteous by Jesus Christ, and Him only. Do you see why you have to read your Bible so you can be encouraged by the Scriptures??? So, therefore, the army here is the Bride of Christ, not angels. Those who claim this do not compare scripture with scripture and make sure there are no contradictions in their viewpoint.
Friend and reader, how can we be raptured at the end of the Tribulation, prepare ourselves, attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, then return to earth to fight with Christ? This makes no sense when viewing the Rapture occurring at the end of the Tribulation. Let’s look at the Jewish wedding in biblical times. The sequence of the wedding will give you an idea of the comparison with the Rapture and when it occurs.
There are seven phases from the betrothal to the actual marriage consummation!!! Doesn’t this bless you? As you know, the number seven symbolizes perfection. What a blessing! The phases are:
The father of the groom made the arrangements for the marriage and paid a price for the bride. The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to pay for the bride with His blood. (1Co 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1Co 7:23) Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
The bridegroom goes back home to prepare a place for his bride. (Joh 14:2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.(Joh 14:3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The father of the groom determined the timing of when the bridegroom would return to get his bride. The bridegroom did not know the exact time. (Mat 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.(Mar 13:32) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
The bride is consecrated and set apart. 1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Once the father of the groom gave the go ahead, the bridegroom would go to where the bride was. The groom returns with a shout. (1 Th 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout. He then takes his bride to his home. (1 Th 4:15-17) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The bride and groom go to the wedding chamber. The bridge and groom stay in their chamber for seven days. Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Praise the Lord! Scripture tells us that a prophetic day can equal a year. Numbers 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities. The seven days the Jewish bride and groom spend in the wedding chamber appear to equate to seven years of Tribulation. Dan 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. The antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation.
After seven days/years, the marriage feast occurs. Jesus returns to earth on a white horse with His Bride to have victory over the earth. Rev 19:11-14 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Lastly, after the Battle of Armageddon, Jesus reigns in Jerusalem for 1,000 years, known as the Feast of Tabernacles, where He “tabernacles” with man during the Millennial Kingdom!
Now that you have read about the Jewish wedding, do you not see that the Rapture cannot occur at the end, or even in the middle? The Groom and the Bride go into their wedding chamber for seven days/years (during the seven year Tribulation)!
The Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events; make no mistake about it. No hope or consolation can be given to people who are about to go through the worse time in history!
(Tit 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
