If you are like me, you wonder how much closer we can get to the start of the Tribulation before we meet Jesus in the air. When I wrote about nearness of the seal judgments (Revelation 6) a couple of years ago, I thought that by now, they surely would have at least begun.
The globalists themselves seem frustrated at the lack of progress in implementing their agenda. The WEF (World Economic Forum) joined with the UN last fall in recommitting themselves to attaining all of the UN’s seventeen Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. They know something is holding back their diabolical plans to enslave the world under a totalitarian Marxist regime. We know it’s the restraining force of the Holy Spirit operating through the Body of Christ in the world (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8).
The closer we get to the start of the Day of the Lord, the more we understand how the Rapture will serve as a sudden catalyst to jumpstart many of the events we read about in the book of Revelation.
I imagine an electronic jigsaw puzzle where all the other pieces instantly light up after someone puts the last one in its proper place. In this case, it’s the Rapture. It’s the missing piece.
We Are So Close
It’s never been more apparent just how rapidly the world will descend into utter chaos following our disappearance.
Paul described the antichrist as the “man of lawlessness” and wrote that “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7). The increase of lawlessness in just the past ten years staggers the imagination. Who would have ever thought we would see a sign on the streets of San Francisco warning thieves they would face prosecution if they stole items exceeding $950 in total value?
Major store chains in the U.S. report shoplifting in billions of dollars per year.
Inflation in the U.S. is much higher than reported and hurting many, many people. Even so, it’s only by the Lord’s restraining hand that we have not yet reached the dire economic conditions described in Revelation 6:5-6. It’s clear that such astronomical inflation is right on our doorstep. I say this because of what I see in America:
Our national debt is rapidly approaching $35 trillion. We have added over $2 trillion dollars to that total since October 1, 2023!
The printing of money to cover America’s massive national debt will lead to devastating hyperinflation; it’s unavoidable. Many wonder why this hasn’t already happened.
Illegal immigration is also accelerating the current pace of inflation. The money that the government prints and gives to people breaking the law in this way increases the demand for the same amount of goods; this is the fundamental cause of inflation.
Fires at food processing plants, the bird flu, and the globalists’ plans to curtail farming and eliminate cattle will continue to put upward pressure on food prices everywhere in the world.
I could cite much more evidence pointing to the nearness of all the judgments of Revelation chapter 6, but it’s time for good news.
It Will Be Over As Soon As It Starts
If anything, the multiplicity of signs pointing to the nearness of the Tribulation reminds us that the Rapture and the judgments that follow it will happen suddenly. In the midst of writing about the Lord’s appearing to take us home, Paul addresses the abruptness to the start of the Day of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3:
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
This “day” will strike the unsuspecting world like a bolt of lightning, but not for us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, the Lord promises to come for us before the start of the Day of the Lord. The “wrath” mentioned in these verses refers to what happens during the Day of the Lord, not to hell.
It will be a day just like today when we will instantly disappear. 1 Corinthians 15:52 tells us the Rapture will happen in the “twinkling of an eye,” which is quicker than a blink. Jesus’ direct intervention in the world will come without warning just as no one expects to discover a thief in their home in the middle of the night.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus tells us four times that “I am coming quickly” (3:11, 22:7, 12, 20). The Greek word for “quickly” is tachu, which in some cases is translated “soon.” In these verses, however, it refers to suddenness of Jesus’ return for us.
This is not a reference to the Second Coming, which will not happen with such abruptness. The events of Revelation 19:11-20:4 will likely occur over the course of several hours, if not several days. John earlier said that when Jesus comes “with the clouds … every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7). The Rapture will happen before people have time to blink, let alone witness it.
As watchers, we are well aware of the dangers of setting a date for the Lord’s appearing. Whenever we mention the nearness of the Rapture, someone always seems to remind us of this.
As we see the Tribulation rapidly approaching our world, however, would it not also be an equally serious mistake to assume that the Rapture will not happen today or this week, month, or year? I believe so.
The New Testament closes with the word of the verses below, which include Jesus’ last recorded message to His church:
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (22:20-21)
The closer we get to the start of the Day of the Lord, the clearer it becomes how the Rapture will unravel all pretenses of “peace and security” in the world, open the door for the seal judgments of Revelation 6 to occur, and lead to the appearing of the antichrist.
Jesus’ appearing to take us home will happen suddenly; it will be all over as soon as it begins.
Note: In Hereafter, It’s Far Better Than You Can Imagine, Terry James and I describe the future glory that awaits us as believers beginning with Jesus’ appearing to take us home. From beginning to end, we emphasize the jubilant joy that awaits us in Heaven. The time in which we will experience these things is ever so close.
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