Bible Prophecy: He has set a Day

Discussing current events and how they relate to Biblical prophesy. What are some critical signs are pointing to the imminent Rapture of the Church?

 He has set a day when He is going to Judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed… (Acts 17:31)

For yet in a very little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay. (Hebrews 10:37)

The Old Testament, New Testament, and early writings confirm that the church taught that there will be a thousand year millennial reign of Christ with His people on the earth. The common belief and teaching was that a millennial reign would come after a literal six thousand year reign of Man. This millennium is known as the Day of the Lord. Biblical genealogy and confirmed historic dates suggest the creation of Adam was around 4,000 B.C. This timing suggests that the Rapture and the Tribulation are imminent. So, what are the facts on the ground, that point to this timing?

 As we survey the tumultuous landscape of our world today, we cannot help but recognize the gathering storm clouds of prophetic fulfillment. The news before us paints a chilling picture of global tensions that align strikingly with biblical predictions of the end times. Let us examine these signs with spiritual eyes, for they herald the approaching climax of human history.

In the Middle East, that perennial powder keg of prophecy, we see Iran’s growing influence across the region. Tehran has built influential and violent proxies in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Both Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel say they don’t want a full-blown war, but concern is higher than ever that they’re stumbling into one—or will deliberately start one. The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to ignite a wider conflagration, potentially drawing in world powers in fulfillment of Zechariah 12:3, which warns that Jerusalem will become “a burdensome stone for all people.“

Meanwhile, in the Far East, we witness the alarming buildup of tensions surrounding Taiwan. China’s aggressive posture and America’s commitment to defend the island nation set the stage for a confrontation that could easily spiral into global conflict. Any invasion of Taiwan would make the Russian attack on Ukraine look like a sideshow by comparison. This aligns with Jesus’ warning of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) intensifying as we approach the end.

The strengthening alliance between Russia and North Korea, evidenced by their mutual defense pact, signals a deepening confederation of powers antagonistic to the West. This unholy union echoes the prophesied gathering of nations that will oppose God’s people in the final days. Furthermore, Russia’s subversive activities across the West and its willingness to engage in prolonged conflict in Ukraine demonstrate a growing boldness that presage its prophetic role in the Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39.

Perhaps most chilling are the scenarios of nuclear exchanges and space warfare. These paint a vivid picture of the catastrophic judgments prophesied in Revelation, where a third of the earth is burned up (Revelation 8:7) and the stars fall from the sky (Revelation 6:13). The potential for a “First Space War” targeting satellite communications aligns with Joel 2:30, which speaks of “wonders in the heavens” in the last days.

It is already too late to stop World War 3. This aligns with the biblical understanding that these events must come to pass as part of God’s prophetic timeline. Yet we need not despair, for these signs also indicate that our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). The world may be tilting towards conflict, but we stand on the cusp of Christ’s triumphant return.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us heed these signs and prepare our hearts. While we cannot know the day or hour, we must remain watchful and ready. As ambassadors of God’s coming kingdom, let us boldly proclaim the hope of salvation to a world teetering on the brink. For though darkness gathers, we have this blessed assurance – our Lord Jesus Christ will soon establish His eternal reign of peace.

With today’s headlines shouting apocalyptic themes, it is vital to go straight to the source. Let’s examine 7 factors about the Rapture and the End of the Age from the words of Jesus:

1. There will be world-wide signs of Jesus’ coming, and the end of the age:

While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:3-8)

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2. He will come for us suddenly

“If anyone tells you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it! False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note: I have told you in advance. So if they tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; ‘Look, He’s in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather. (Matthew 24:23-28)

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3. He is coming at a day and hour we do not expect:

“Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son —except the Father only. As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. So this is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be: Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one left. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44)

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take olive oil with them. But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

“Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

“The sensible ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’

“When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

“Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

“But he replied, ‘I assure you: I do not know you!’

“Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13)

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4. He will reward faithful service, and punish the hypocrites:

“Who then is a faithful and sensible slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ and starts to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51)

“For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. In the same way the man with two earned two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

“Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’

“But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.

“‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:14-30)

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5. The great tribulation is a future event. It has not already happened in history:

“So when you see the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (let the reader understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! A man on the housetop must not come down to get things out of his house. And a man in the field must not go back to get his clothes. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! Pray that your escape may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again! Unless those days were limited, no one would survive. But those days will be limited because of the elect. (Matthew 24:15-22)

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6. There will be a generation that will not die until all these End Times events happen:

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near—at the door! I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. (Matthew 24:32-34)

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7. The Lord will reward the righteous with eternal life, and punish the wicked with eternal fire:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry
and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’

“And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!

For I was hungry
and you gave Me nothing to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me nothing to drink;
I was a stranger
and you didn’t take Me in;
I was naked
and you didn’t clothe Me,
sick and in prison
and you didn’t take care of Me.’

“Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You?’

“Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

Save us from the fire! Concept for fire victim, help, helplessness, hell, desperation, etc. ” data-medium-file=”https://raptureandendtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hell-hands-in-blaze.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://raptureandendtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hell-hands-in-blaze.jpg?w=748″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://raptureandendtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hell-hands-in-blaze.jpg?w=540&h=326″ alt=”Save us from the fire” class=”wp-image-9264″ style=”width:541px;height:auto” />

These are the Last Days

Israel is forming a regional peace agreement, in order to form an alliance against Iran. All the major players have picked sides now, for the upcoming Gog war, as outlined in the Book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39. 

What will happen next? The Bible gives us the answer:

You nations, come here and listen;
you peoples, pay attention!
Let the earth hear, and all that fills it,
the world and all that comes from it.
The Lord is angry with all the nations—
furious with all their armies.
He will set them apart for destruction,
giving them over to slaughter.
Their slain will be thrown out,
and the stench of their corpses will rise;
the mountains will flow with their blood. (Isaiah 34:1-3)

If the End of the End Times is truly near, what should our attitude be?

We are given a glimpse into what the actual end times will look like from the apostle Peter, whom Christ called “the rock.” In 2 Peter 3:10 the apostle relates, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

The topic of the end times has been of deep interest to Christians since Christ himself walked the earth. Jesus warned the disciples about the end times, saying, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

As people of faith, how are we to behave during the end times, if that is indeed where we are heading? What is our role as Christians in this time of biblical fulfillment?

Christ himself gave us a very clear directive, in the verses just mentioned. He first warned of our attention being caught up in the wrong things: carousing, drunkenness, and anxiety. Jesus seems to be saying we will be caught totally unaware by the cataclysmic events preceding his return, and notes the shock when we realize we have been focusing on the wrong things (he actually says the day will close upon us like “a trap.”)

We need to take this to heart as believers, staying watchful for the signs of the end of our time here on earth.

Jesus warned us about staying away from activities that steal our watchfulness–too much frivolity and drink, and interestingly, anxiety. In a world that is increasingly anxious, Jesus warns us away from this stress–to instead, we can infer, stay focused on him and the promises in the Bible for our everlasting life.

Another clue to how we should conduct ourselves as we prepare for the end times leads us back to 2 Peter. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

We are again given the idea that things will disappear–or melt in the heat–and in 2 Peter 3:10, remember, we are told things will be “laid bare.” Not just the earth, but everything done in it. God’s judgment will be at hand.

How do we make these directives found in 2 Peter and spoken by Jesus himself actionable in our modern lives?

May we remember something very important: if we are true believers, we are going to be absolutely okay. Christ died to give us eternal life with him! Even though the end times will be frightening, and we will no doubt see things that we cannot even begin to imagine, we must live by faith, trusting in God’s promises and the meaning of the resurrection. We will be fine when this earth passes away.

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If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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Current events are aligning with Biblical prophecy