I have been looking at the news coverage via YouTube for the past several weeks and I am asking myself with all of the fires, floods, volcanos, hurricanes and such, is this God’s judgment?! As I go to prayer about it and ask the Father, I feel He is saying to me that what we are seeing are the preliminaries of what is to come when He pours out His judgments on the earth during the seven-year tribulation period. I don’t know but me thinks we’re out of time and the next big event for this earth is the Rapture of the NT Church, living and dead.
The Apostle Paul said it this way,
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died in Christ), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep (died) in Jesus. 15 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 asleep (dead). 16 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. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (Greek: harpaizo) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
– 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
- While this is one of the best, most concise, passages in the NT on the Rapture, it says a lot about God’s agenda for His Church, His people, His bride. Especially as it relates to the forthcoming coming tribulation which will occur a short while after this global Rapture event.
The world calls all of the tragedies that we are seeing ‘climate change’ but we know them as ‘birth pangs.’
“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
– Romans 8:22-25
- The Lord is showing us that what we are seeing around the world is part and parcel to the coming seven year tribulation. The only real way to prep for it is to repent of your sin and get saved by asking the Christ to forgive you of your sin and to be your Lord and Savior. Only those who are saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ will see their bodies redeemed and partake in the glories that the Father has prepared for His people who have placed their faith in Him.
My heart breaks for the tens of thousands who have been displaced around the world because of these weather events (aka birth pangs) and political and military maneuvers. Let’s face it, the world we lived in a year ago is very much different than the world we live in today, and it will continue to radically change until Jesus the Messiah returns in His glorious Second Coming to establish His millennial kingdom.
The Lord Himself warned us that what we are seeing today is what we would see just prior to the Rapture. He also told us to not be troubled when we do begin to see these things.
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.” – Matthew 24:6-8
- What we are seeing now is what Jesus described would be just prior to His return. We must remain faithful and diligent to His Word for our lives, continuing to serve Him and trust His perfect timing.
Be careful to pray for those less fortunate than yourself and help those whom you can with whatever resources that you have. As believers, it’s good that we pray for people and situations around the world; God help us all.
Encourage Men 