This is a phrase we often see in apocalyptic movies where some homeless person is standing on a street corner holding a sign (or even wearing it) and crying out. The modern version of this would be those street preachers who hold signs, use bullhorns, pass out gospel tracts, and proclaim the day of the Lord at large venues or street gatherings. Kudos to my brother in Christ, Pastor Tatsuo Akamini, who has been a faithful street preacher for many years now. He and his national team of street evangelists have been proclaiming the gospel for many years now, all while knowing that the end is near; or at least the end as we know it. God has raised up a generation of street preachers who are proclaiming the gospel message to anyone who will hear, because for the most part, people are just asleep as the switch when it comes to accurate Bible prophecy and the times in which we live. I have watched and prayed for Pastor Tats for many years now, encouraging him when I had the chance, and was even invited to join him in his ministry. While I am not a street preacher like he is, I do believe in and prayerfully support what he and his team do because they are part of the last days vanguards for this nation, warning the general public of the coming judgment of God, and His everlasting mercy for all who would call upon His holy name.
Paul said it this way, “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever (KJV – ‘world without end’). Amen.” – Ephesians 3:14-21
- If you want to know why Paul put the phrase, ‘for this reason’ into this passage, you have to read the preceding passage to get the context. For us, the context is crystal clear, this world, as we know it, is about to end and we need to not be stressed or panicked about it. Instead, we need to trust in the Lord and know that at the right moment, He is going to rescue us from the judgment that will soon befall this nation and the nations of the world.
The world will not end; however, the world, as we know it, will; just like the pre-flood world of Noah’s day ended.
“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men.” – 2 Peter 3:1-7
- Noah was righteous in his generation and he preached for 120 years for people to repent and turn to God. They did not, they would not, and in the end, when God sent the rain, they all perished. How like today, people are just as unrepentant and aloof to the reality of what’s coming; and way too many of them are just as unrepentant as people were in Noah’s day. As a result, they will get the same judgment that those in Noah’s day did.
Jesus said it this way, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” – Luke 17:26-30
- This passage is similar to Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 24) but Luke includes the accounting of Lot in his day when God judged Sodom and Gomorrah. People weren’t just eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, they were buying and selling, planting and building. In other words, it was business as usual with plans for the future until a single event occurred that changed everything; God’s judgment!
Like in the pre-flood world, people were living their lives as usual while this so-called madman was building a huge boat in the middle of a large field. He was employing hundreds of people to help him erect it and they obliged because they were being paid; in other words, helping Noah to build his ark was a paycheck to them. I compare this to the many people working within the church today who are no more saved than the guy milling timber to be used for the infrastructure of the ark. The book of Jasher records that large groups of animals gathered around the large ark (which took five years to construct) toward the end of the 120 years, but that didn’t persuade them. It wasn’t until the ark was boarded of all its passengers and the door was shut that people realized that their fate was sealed. The Bible says that another week passed while the ark just sat there. Can you imagine what Noah and his family must have been thinking during that week? After one week, the rains begin to fall and the judgment of God ensued. God gave the people one week to repent and make the necessary sacrifices for their salvation, because they were not getting aboard the ark.
In like manner, our world is about the change. America in particular is about to be judged by God Almighty. I believe that Revelation 18 reveals a truth about America in the not-to- distant future that is as shocking as it is expected. Let’s take a closer look at what the end of the world, as we know it, might look like.
The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall: “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ 11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ 19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ 20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” – Revelation 18:9-20
I get asked the question, ‘Is America mentioned in Bible prophecy?’ The answer is always the same, ‘not specifically.’ I believe that, in this passage, Babylon is in fact, America. While I don’t have a lot of time to get into the reasons why I feel this way, I can direct you over to brother Tim Foster’s YouTube channel (timfoster405) and you can look at the study that he did on the topic of comparing modern America with ancient Babylon. I would advise taking a look at the study, he has a compelling argument.
Right now we have more container ships off of our coasts, waiting to gain access to our ports, than we have ever had in our short 245 year history. There is a reason for this, I believe it’s prophetic and it fulfills verse 17 of the above passage. A few days ago Vladimir Putin touted that Russia could destroy American ‘in one hour’ with their nuclear arsenal. The Russian government put out a warning to the Russian people last week for them to ‘prepare for a NATO nuclear retaliatory struck against Russia.’ Why would their government say something like that to their people? Why would they use the word ‘retaliatory’ in their warning?
In the Revelation 18 passage we see the phrase, ‘in one hour’ mentioned three times; it must mean in one hour. While this may sound all doom and gloom, I can assure you, for the believer, it’s not. The word of the Lord for us from many prophetic sources, including many children, regarding the timing of the Rapture is that ‘when the missiles come down, we go up.’ In the last 72 hours Putin has used the ‘N’ word (nuclear) many times in pre-recorded press conferences, with his staff, and to the world via speeches via other media forums. Donald Trump last week warned that this word nuclear shouldn’t even be mentioned in communications or even considered an option. It’s clear that Putin’s repeatedly mentioning the ‘N’ word is a clarion call that something ominous is on the very near horizon. What we are looking at here is stark evil; and while we can’t pin it on one man so much as we can the devil himself; we know that God is working behind the scenes to fulfill Bible prophecy. God is in total control of all of this and He is just about ready to snatch away His bride unto Himself just as He has promised. The scenario being presented here in Revelation 18 has more to do with the quick destruction of Babylon (America) as a nation and a peaceful influencer to the world.
How might it all go down?
The working theory that we have is that there are multiple Russian nuclear submarines posted up off of our three coasts, armed and ready to launch their payload at the right command. Their targets are our larger, more populated cities, strategic military bases, key areas of governance (Washington DC) and other secondary government targets. Most likely an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) type weapon(s) will be used first to neutralize any counter measure type weapons that we have. Then we will see a simultaneously attack of nuclear missiles hit their targets. I can’t think of any other scenario that would fulfill the ‘in one hour’ time frame laid out in Revelation 18. It’s clear to me that the end is near, at least for America.
While this blog may seem frightening and almost fictional, I assure you, it is not. That which has happened in the Ukraine in the past month was all done conventionally. That which will happen to America in the very near future will have to be nuclear to achieve such destruction ‘in one hour.’ We have way to many patriotic types (like myself) who are armed and ready for a fight, and our enemies know it. Such was the case in Japan after the bombing of Peral Harbor. They were recruiting teen agers and training them for a coming American invasion; instead what they got was a nuclear option that most likely saved thousands of American lives, but at the expense of thousands of Japanese civilians, including children. This blog is not to question that decision, which for President Harry Truman, must have been most difficult. What I am saying is that Russia feels the same way. For them to take out America, they would have to go nuclear for it to work. I am talking about God’s judgment on our nation and the removal of a western super power from the global scene so that the focus of world leadership will move to the middle and far east; just like it’s laid out in Bible prophecy. The only thing that is keeping us safe from this horrific scenario is the fact that the Church is still on the earth, and more specifically, in America. God loves America and He has blessed America, but when He removes His Church, the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is also removed and thus, the enemy will be cleared to attack this nation without prejudice; that is, mercilessly.
People ask about China in Bible Prophecy and I tell them, they show up toward the end as the ‘kings of the east.’ However, the Lord deals with them in short order, but that’s a blog for another day. As I write this blog I find that what I am saying is almost unbelievable, but in reality, it’s more a truth than anyone is willing to consider or even admit. We can’t really prepare for this type of scenario other than to be part of the people who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. These same, like other people, are eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, buying and selling, planting vineyards and building homes and such. The Lord expects us to occupy till He returns, which is what we are doing, knowing that our departure can happen at any moment.
We see an example of what occupying, that is, ‘doing the works of the Father,’ looks like in John 9,
A Man Born Blind Receives Sight: “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I (we) must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” 9 Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am he.” 10 Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” 12 Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” – John 9:1-12
- While we may not be spitting on dirt and rubbing it on blind people’s eyes, we are however, sharing our faith and leading folks to Jesus who were once spiritually blind. This is the work that we are to be doing for the Lord in these last days. However, when night comes, that is, when we can no longer do the work of the Lord, it will be time to come in.
It does the Church, the body of Christ, no good to be exposed to lethal amounts of radiation caused by a barrage of Russian nukes, and die a horrific death on this mission field. This is not consistent with how God cares for His people, His Children, His bride. Therefore, the Lord will remove us before they arrive, perhaps even a few moments before they arrive. Some people question the pre-trib Rapture ad nauseam, but I tell them, this event is not only pre-trib, it’s pre-nuke. I believe that just before or even during the initial barrage of nukes coming into the continental United States from off shore Russian subs; the Church will be caught away. I get this belief from the first part of Revelation 18. What we are seeing here is quite possibly a picture of what could very well be a Rapture scenario happening just before this missile strike. Let’s take a closer look:
“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance (strengths) of her luxury.” – Revelation 18:1-3
- If America is Babylon and vice versa, than this angel that is coming down to announce this judgment is an archangel, illuminated and having great authority. He announces loudly, pronouncing judgment upon Babylon and stating the reasons why she is being judged. This is just an announcement, before any judgment is cast.
John the Revelator continues, “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have (been heaped up) reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously (sensually), in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” – (vs.4-8)
- The phrase, ‘Come out of her, my people’ is a Rapture phrase. We have seen it before in Revelation 4:1, ‘Come up here!’ The idea of God’s people being caught away before calamity strikes is consistent here.
After the announcement of judgment has been proclaimed, we see the Lord catching His people away before casting judgment on this Babylon (aka America). The arrogance of America aligns itself with this Babylonian attitude, ‘I sit as queen’ (feminine), like the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. The thinking that America couldn’t be touched by an enemy invasion or that we were too insulated from hardships is presumptuous arrogance at best; yet this is the attitude being portrayed here. John further states that the plagues will come in one day, death, mourning, and famine; she (Babylon) will be burned with fire. This sounds very ‘nuclear’ to me, but only after a ‘come out of her my people’ event happens first.
The end is near, and we believers are to be working, occupying, and doing the tasks that the Lord has commissioned for us to be doing. This is how He created us, to do the work of the Lord while it is still day, because when night falls, nobody can work. We are not to be stressed out or fear struck over this theory or the infinite possibilities of doom and gloom. We are to be aware of their closeness and prepare as best we can, mainly informing our loved ones and others to repent, receive Jesus, and live right in the sight of the Lord. This is a good way to live anyway, but in an end time scenario, where the end is clearly near, we need to be especially aware of how we are living and serving and we must do our best to represent our Master (Hebrew: Adoni) well; being a good witness of Him to others who might know and be glad.
The end, as we know it, is near, but Jesus is even closer, even at the very doors. As believers in Jesus, our fate is in the Lord’s hand. He will not leave us or forsake us, He is with us and He is for us. We can’t control what the mad men with nukes will do with their weaponry, but we can decide how we will live, and love, until we take our last breath. As believers in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit of God within us. This same Holy Spirit is He who restrains evil globally; when He is gone, so is His restraining power. Our presence on this planet may not be welcomed or even liked by non-believers, but when we’re gone, they are really going to miss us and the many blessings that we brought to our communities.
However it goes down, we don’t know, but we have our working theories which this is one of them. I am confident that whatever happens, it will happen relatively soon, like within the next few weeks to even a few months. Stuff is already happening and we are seeing the degradation of our freedoms, our economic strength is being yoked by irresponsible financial decisions from congress, and our moral stability is eroding all around us. Is it just me or are things getting crazy out there? While it is true that the end is near, it’s equally true that Jesus is nearer. We need to keep living our lives to the fullest, planning, building, forecasting, and most of all, witnessing to others about Jesus, to as many who will hear us; this is our testimony. Until the next blog, may you find peace in your soul as the Lord continues to move you closer to Himself and His will for your life. Be strong and courageous my brother (and sister), God is with you, He is with us, and we are almost home.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northwest Missouri. He lives with his wife of 32-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 