article by site founder, Connie Rice
We seem to have reached a place where even the most basic facts are turned upside down, where narratives prevail and facts are censored, where life is not valued, where barbarism is celebrated, where those fighting violence are accused of being aggressors, where the innocence and safety of children are under attack, and where trust has been betrayed. Things around us don’t make any sense. The world is becoming more volatile than most of us can remember. God did not want us to be unaware of what is going to happen as He moves closer to judging evil once and for all. We are watching the end times unfold before our eyes at a fast pace and are seeing what the Bible prophesied. Billy Graham described it:
“The Bible tells us that the state of the world will grow darker as we near the end of the age.”
Billy Graham
“The end will come with the return of Jesus Christ…That is why a Christian can be an optimist. That is why a Christian can smile in the midst of all that is happening…We know what the end will be: the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Billy Graham
Jesus is coming for His people – this is referred to as the Rapture. The term itself is not in Scripture, but “Got Questions” offers a helpful 3-minute video explaining this biblical event and the various views of its timing. They believe there is more Scriptural support for the Rapture happening before the seven year Tribulation period begins. If so, then it could happen at any time. Some Bible teachers think that the Rapture and the 2nd coming of Christ are the same event (John Piper of “Desiring God”). Some think it will happen halfway through the Tribulation (mid-trib view). Although tribulations (troubles/trials) are a part of life on this earth, the final tribulation period will be worse than any time in all of human history. An interesting 5-min video is found from “Verse by Verse Ministry”. We see precedence in Scripture of God removing faithful followers out of an area before His judgment on evil falls (ie. Noah from the Lord’s Flood judgment, Lot from destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah). Other helpful resources are found on the “End Times Prophecy” page of this website.
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a [m]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
The message of Jesus coming back for His children has always given me hope in the midst of this world’s challenges, but I never believed that it would happen in my lifetime. There were many dark times in history when believers thought He would surely come back, but the time was not yet right. Now here we are considering the possibility that we might actually be the raptured generation. Jesus’ last words before His ascension back to heaven deserve our attention:
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen’.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The closer we get to Jesus through reading His Word (the Bible), prayer, obedience to His commands, and serving in His Kingdom as He equips and calls us to do, the more we see His guidance, provision, and blessings in our lives. The challenges of this world do not affect us the same way. As we lean in to Him through life’s difficulties, He sustains us and uses them to help us grow, be less self-focused and prideful, and become more willing to come beside others in their time of trials as well as to share His amazing offer of eternal salvation to all who will believe. We are able to rest in Him and have access to the supernatural peace, strength, and joy only available through Him. The prince of this world (Satan) only offers counterfeits that do not satisfy. We still have a sinful nature, but are no longer comfortable with our sins so seek help from the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to the Lord. We are in the lifelong process of sanctification, a transformation where we strive to be more like Christ. As we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness and for help to not repeat our mistakes, He cleanses us and gives us a fresh start. He also surprises those who fully trust in Him with unexpected blessings and opens our eyes to a taste of heaven in the process.
“Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, ‘Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you’.”
John 14:22-28
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
This is why Christians should have no fear of death – we don’t seek death because God determines when our life begins and when it ends, but our souls are secure because we know that in death, we will be with our precious Savior and reunited with those who went before us. We understand that Jesus will fight evil once and for all and be victorious. All those trusting in Him for salvation will enjoy a new heaven and a new earth where evil, sickness, death, and sadness will no longer exist. We won’t even have to contend with our own sinful nature any more – now that’s something to look forward to!
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus’ words to the faithful church in Revelation 3:10-13
The Bible offers numerous prophecies about the end times and what to expect beforehand. We are told to be aware of the times and that believers will recognize when the time is close. We are seeing some of these:
- Israel is a nation and most of the Jews in the world now live there with even more moving there
- Increased persecution of believers (not reported in most news sites, but go to Christian news sites)
- Evil will rise (especially with intense attacks on children – confusion, abuse, sexualization, trafficking)
- Gospel spreading to utmost places
- People having dreams & visions and coming to Christ
- More awakenings and revivals
- Increased apostacy of churches
- A mark will be needed to purchase food/goods (governments/banks moving toward digital currency)
- Powerful forces with goal of global governance
- Lawlessness will increase
- Families members will turn against each other
Scripture tells us that those who are with the Lord and waiting for the end of the Tribulation on earth will seek justice and rejoice over evil being destroyed once and for all. Most of us enjoy movies where justice prevails and evil is stopped. Perhaps God put that in us just as He put in us a sense of fairness, a need for relationships, and a desire for our lives to have meaning. We have no need to fear because He knows all things and only He is perfectly just, able to judge the deeds, thoughts, & hearts of each person. Is the Rapture is imminent? If so, then God chose us to be here during this time. Regardless of when He takes us home, we should stay focused on Jesus and continue to faithfully obey and serve Him. We should pray for God to help us see people as He does, and love them as He does so that we will be motivated to share our faith with so others can be saved and have access to Jesus’ peace in the midst of trials, and look forward to heaven too.
© Constance Rice 2023
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