In previous entries, I've covered the End Times. I've covered the Rapture and the Tribulation. The word rapture is not actually in The Bible, but it is the word used to describe the vanishing of true followers of Christ (and children unable to decide for themselves) across the world in the "twinkling of an eye." (See entry: The End Times Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
Jesus gave us a few Signposts for the End Times, so that we know what is coming. The signs given to us by Jesus - most have come to pass. If this were not so, he would not have told us. Since these things are coming into play, we can see that the End Times are near.
However, does that give us a date? No. Jesus himself said, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36) So, Let us look at what Jesus tells us about the End Times in the Gospels.
Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 all tell of the End Times. Each chapter parallels the other, for each account gives a varied view of this instance when Jesus was asked. In Matthew 24:2, Jesus tells the disciples that the Temple in Jerusalem will be torn down. This came to pass in 70 AD. So his disciples asked him, "When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Jesus replied, telling them to beware of false messiahs, people claiming to be divine, to be Jesus, to be the Messiah. We have many people across the Globe who, even today, claim to be the Promised Messiah. He continues, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places." (Matthew 24:5-7, Mark 13:5-8)
Now, these things have also come to pass. In the last two hundred years alone, we have faced more wars than ever: War of 1812, The Civil War, The Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Iraq War, War on Terrorism, Cold War, etc. Rumors of war continue to sprout across the globe on a regular basis. Many Wars are at this current moment still ongoing. So yes, wars have occurred, and nation has risen against nation.
Mass famines have also become widespread in recent years, as has earthquakes. Many times I have given the statistics for the increase in Earthquakes. (See entry: Warning: Sign of the End Times) Luke 21:11 gives a varied version of what Jesus told them. This does not disregard either accounts, but it shows that Jesus told more, and each account recorded what was said, though Luke recorded another thing said that was not previously recorded.
Luke 21:11 says, "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." Now, this has all come to pass. Pestilences - think of the recent swine flu that we believed would wipe out much of the nation. Jesus goes on in all three versions to tell us that we will be persecuted, mocked for our beliefs. Am I mocked for my belief? Yes. But we must press on in the service and furtherance of the Kingdom of our Creator. These have all come to pass.Jesus goes on to say, in Luke 21:20, "When you see [the reborn] Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near." Since that time, many armies have tried to take down the nation. Even before that, in WWII, the Jewish people were persecuted, and have been for centuries. Especially with the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948. This too has come to pass.
He continues, "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea." (Luke 21:25) Jesus tells other things, but he concludes by telling of his Second Coming, which will happen at the end of the 7-Year Tribulation. "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:27-28)
Mark 13:26 tells of the same event, the Second Coming, or Glorious Appearing, of Jesus. This is not the same as the Rapture, which occurs before the Tribulation. Verse 27 says, "And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."
Jesus gives us a story of the Rapture, so that we may know what it will be like: (Matthew 24:40-41) "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." In this way, Jesus will take his "elect," his true followers. Those who are Left Behind will have the opportunity, even directly after this occurs, to turn to Christ and repent.
Do many of these "signs" being fulfilled mean the end is near? Yes. Does that mean that it is near, as in within the year, or within the decade? No. But it is closer than it was 2,000 Years Ago. The End Times are closer today than they were yesterday. Jesus tells us not to give a date or time for these events, because while we can see that they are closer now than ever before, it could still be a while before we are taken.
Therefore, as we see that the End Times are rapidly approaching, more so now than ever before, we must be ready. Jesus tells the saved that those who follow him should not fear these end times. For when he raptures his people, and then 7 Years later, comes to Reign and set up his Kingdom for 1,000 Years, we will be with him.
Many people criticize the teaching of The Rapture. Do we know for a fact that it will happen? While some scripture can be interpreted differently, there are several verses that speak of the Lord taking his people to be with him BEFORE the Seven Year Tribulation, and then the Return of Christ and His People - the Glorious Appearing. Regardless, I would ask that you look at the facts. Many of these things have already occurred. Jesus is the ONLY way, the truth, and the light. NO ONE can come to the Father, to Heaven, but through him, but by accepting his sacrifice and following him. So I ask you, do you follow him?
Many people believe in God but will not accept Jesus as their Savior. Verily tell you, Jesus is the only way to be saved. Put bluntly, unless we accept his free gift of salvation, by confessing that he is Lord, turning from your ways and asking God for forgiveness of your says, we will not be saved. Some people believe God is a being created in the minds of people who want hope. That he is some guy watching every little thing we do up in the clouds.
I tell you: God exists. He created you, he made everyone and everything in the Universe. Do not mock God, do not mock Christ, who died for your sins. If you do, judgment will surely follow. My intention is to not scare or coerce you into some cult. The intention is to lead and guide you to The Truth.
So dear friends, I urge you to acceot his free gift of salvation - the Master himself spoke of the End Times. They are coming, whether we want them to or not, and one day, will be be gone, whether we like it or not. If you do not accept Jesus as your savior, he cannot help you. So please, turn to him. Feel free to comment below or email me at vexx801@yahoo.com if you have any questions. Take Care, and May God Bless You. Troy Hillman
Allow me to clarify for those who have asked. We have been given many signs of the End Times. Many have been fulfilled, so we can see that the End Times are close. But we cannot know the day or hour. That is one of the Many Reasons that the 2012 Theory is not the day these things will begin. I hope that allows more understanding. We can see that the End Times are close, but we don't know when they will come. Just that they are almost here, because many prophecies have already been fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteim sorry i dont agree with a pre rapture, This is the time period for non believers to turn to Christ. they do not get another chance after this. a pre rapture would also be the 2nd coming. so if there is no third coming in scripture how would you expect there to be a pre rapture?
ReplyDeleteThere are those who disagree with the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, which is understandable, and does not make anyone less Christian. You're correct with the statement, "This is the time period for nonbelievers to turn to Christ" - yet at the same time, so is the Tribulation. That is the purpose of the 21 Judgments, to show the glory and power of God, for the nonbelievers to find these things in predictive prophecy thousands of years ago - in God's Word. You are also correct that there is no third coming. But we need to distinguish: the Bible refers to two distinct events: when Jesus will come in the clouds to take his followers, and then a second event which refers to when Jesus will set His feet upon the Mount of Olives and split it in two (Zechariah 14; Acts 1). It is not contradictory for an event to be referred to as one yet occur in two phases. For example, perhaps a family is taking a trip from Buffalo, New York to Scranton, Ohio. They must go through phases to get there. Essentially, the point of the Pre-Trib View is such: Christ's Second Coming is in two phases. If you have further questions as to whether or not there really are two distinct events, and on a case for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, see entry:
ReplyDeletehttp://thetruth-blog.blogspot.com/2011/03/pre-tribulation-rapture.html
Even if you do not agree with the view, it may help if anything to read over the Pre-Trib view, to articulate a better understanding of the Rapture. If anything, consider: Christ said that the day and hour of His coming are unknown, that He would return like a thief in the night. Yet if the rapture occurred in the middle or at the end of the Tribulation, all we would have to do is add 3.5 or 7 years to the date of the Covenant's signing, which would give the day and the hour. Likewise with the Glorious Appearing, when Christ returns on the Mount of Olives to set up His 1000 Year Reign on Earth - all we need to do is add 7 years to the day of the signing. So we can conclude that if there was a mid- or post- tribulation, we would know the day and the hour. This seems to indicate or imply that the only option left is a Pre-Tribulation rapture. For more reasons why I accept this, see the entry. God bless you, and thank you for your comment!
If scientifically the world is coming to the end of an age in 2012 and Jesus said he would return at the end of the age, then wouldn't 2012 be a possibility? Maybe not time and day, but back then the knowledge attained today about astrological world ages was unreachable.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly possible, yes. However, there is also a large body of scientists who do not think that the world will end this year. Also, even if the scientific community declared that the world would end this year, Biblically there would still be at least seven years of Tribulation to follow. It is also important to note that while God established the natural laws which govern science, God also has total control over the natural laws. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Deleteoooooh, it is so nice to see people talking intelligently about the end times without a lot of hype or hate! I see some people today on various facebook pages comparing Obama to the anti-christ. now I may not have voted for him (due to his policies not his skin color! I would vote for Condoleezza Rice in a heartbeat!) while others before called Bush the Anti-Christ and some have even called the pope the Anti-Christ! That is ridiculous! None of those men are the Main Anti-Christ that the Bible is talking about. One place I read that anyone teaching people things that contradict what the Christ himself has taught could rightfully be referred to as a type of an Anti-Christ. I could accept that. There would be many small ones before the Big Evil Guy appears.
ReplyDeleteI agree, we should look for the signs of the beginning of the end! And while we may not agree with everything Israel says or does, at the end of the day, they are STILL the chosen people of God! So we should support them in anyway we can. Even if all we can do is pray for them and their safety.
I do think we are approaching the end times. But who knows how long it will last. It could be weeks, months or even decades from now. So the only thing we can do is REMAIN FAITHFUL to the TRUE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST! In fact the apostle Paul wrote that if he or anyone else (another claiming to be a disciple) taught anything different from what he was teaching them, they should be ignored! That is actually a very strong statement. To ignore even him if started teaching something different.
I want myself and my family to have our Souls ready! It is hard to live our lives according to Christ in this world but Jesus did warn us it would be a struggle. And we will be greatly blessed if we stay faithful until the very end!
THe pope is the antichrist without a doubt...Satan in the flesh..just as Jesus was God in the flesh..The Roman Catholic church is the sea beast with 7 heads and 10 horns which reigned for 1260 days(1260 years)from 538AD to 1798 when she received the deadly wound(Napoleon abolished church and state..In 1929 under a treaty became the Main Religion in Italy..deadly wound will be healed once "church" and "state" merge again under the new world order of global governance which the illuminati-power elite will achieve under the UN. The pope has ALREADY united the preotestant churches of the world..ongoing since 1998. Last week from the vatican called for a new world economic reform with a global single currency...The false prophet of the land beast with 2 horns who appeared as a lamb but spoke as a dragon will enforce one global religion(Sunday Laws-the image of the beast)..and will require the "mark"(RFID chip, or new tattoo ink technology that is like a barcode used on mice and cattle)to buy and sell...PEOPLE, WAKE UP Jesus Christ is coming back VERY SOON. Repent and turn from sin..AMEN
ReplyDeletePope Benedict is the 8th king that was "of" the 7...there have been like 20 something popes since 1798, but there are only 7 different papal names since 1798..John Paul was the seventh, John Paul II is counted with John Paul since they have same Papal name, Benedict would technically not be the 8th papal king, since there was an earlier Benedict..so when church and state merge again..which it will VERY SOON and shock the world, this pope will change his name again which would make hime the 8th king spoken of in Revelation 17 that "was of" the 7th. I just learned of this a few weeks ago. The New World Order goal is to have a global single currency, and a single religion(Roman Catholicism/Pope)and controlled by the UN. The UN will divide the earth into 10 regions(Club of Rome came up with the idea in 1974) which are the 10 kings of the 10 different regions who will give their alliance with the beast(Roman Catholic Church under UN law)and wage war on the lamb(Jesus Christ and his true followers).
ReplyDelete