I read in my Bible that I am supposed to be watching and waiting for the Lord’s return. Over the past few years the Lord has given us a myriad of signs to herald His soon arrival for His Church; in the past few weeks those signs have increased substantially. I am looking at China’s red sky and thinking to myself, wow, and there’s not even a fire. I am watching Israel who recently launched their ‘Chariots of Fire’ military exercise a few days ago, the largest in her history, and I am saying, it’s about time. The Whitehouse occupier, later this month, is going to sign into law a policy that gives power to the WHO (World Health Organization, not the band from the 60’s) to mandate and institute lockdowns, similar to what we are seeing in China; but on our soil. Supposedly this is being done to prevent the spread of certain diseases or other health threats. This list can go on an on, we all know it because we all know that we are living in the last days (literally, days).
As a believer in Jesus, I have been blessed by the Lord in so many ways in this life, yet in all of God’s goodness, and all of the crazy, I long to be with the Lord and those who love Him more than ever before. This is why my family and my church are so important to me. We all love the Lord and long to be with Him, some more than others, as is the case with most families and churches. Be that as it may, many of us, as we watch and wait, get a little disappointed when a high watch passes and we’re still here; especially with all of the hoopla going on around the world. We understand that nobody knows the day or hour, but we can know the season, even to the point of the Lord being at the very door. It’s not that we don’t love life or even enjoy the many blessings that God has provided in this life; because we do, even with all the global turmoil. We just know in our spirit that there is something more, something real, something permanent and eternal that awaits us and it’s becoming more clear to us the closer that it gets to us.
One of those high watch doors is coming this weekend with the second Passover blood moon and Israel’s 74th anniversary. That’s happens on Sunday May 15th to Monday May 16th. As many of you know, I now live in the Kansas City area; so for me and all the folks in the CST, the best time to view this blood moon will begin at 10:39pm (CST) with a maximum eclipse at 11:11pm; the eclipse ends at 11:53pm. Just add or subtract the hours necessary to fit your time zone if you want to see it, weather permitting, of course. I will tell you now that I will be in my back yard looking up at the moon with my two dogs, howling if necessary, but definitely watching for something more if the Lord wills. Blood moons come and go and nobody takes note of it, but in this case, I am taking note. I am taking note and you should also.
Isaiah said it this way, “The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil (the face of evil). 2 He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” – Isaiah 57:1,2
- This passage, in principle, deals with a pre-tribulation Rapture. ‘The righteous’ in this case, are the Church, and the word ‘perishes’ doesn’t imply death so much, rather, that we’re just gone. While people on this side of the Rapture don’t consider the contribution of the Church to global stability, they will after we’ve left. They may hate our conservative nature, but their going to miss what we brought.
A few weeks later, on Sunday, June 5th, we celebrate Pentecost. This happens seven Sundays after Easter, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus; when the Lord sent the Holy Spirit on the 120 believes in the upper room in Jerusalem. Yes, that really happened, it’s not just a myth. For believers looking for a Pentecost Rapture, this would be the time to be looking for it, if we’re still here of course.
Then we have the next high watch door, according to George from Return of the King YouTube channel, which is supposed to happen on June 15th with the 153 fish scenario in the heavens. You have to go to his channel to better understand it. I only know this brother from his video teachings and an interview that he did with Ken Potter, another watchman. I was really impressed with his testimony and love for the Lord. While it’s true that nobody knows the day or hour of the Lord’s return, we are to be looking for the signs; and in this case, brother George has done a stellar job (no pun intended) using the Stellurium program. To tell you the truth, I am more of a Bible guy, I don’t really understand these computer programs that reveal what’s happening in the heavenlies. I do enjoy the presentations and view them with sort of a confused excitement. Hey, it beats watching reruns of Starsky and Hutch.
After that, the next high watch would be Rosh Hashanah on September 25th and 26th, but that event is looking more like the beginning of the seven-year tribulation to me than ever before. Pastor Mark Biltz teaches the Rosh Hashanah Rapture theory and is pretty adamant that it could happen this year, at that time. Needless to say, I have been keeping all of this under wraps so as not to be labeled a Rapture rusher or date setter; however, in light of everything that is happening in the world, I feel like we’re about to launch, I just don’t know when.
The tension I am blogging about here has more to do with my loyalty to the Lord and His heavenly kingdom and my patriotism for America. While I want justice, what I feel like I am getting is slaughtered, either politically, through liberal policies that threaten our freedoms, or the increase in my taxes and insurance premiums. I am frustrated with the many vendors that I work with, they seem to be more policy driven than people oriented. It’s as if they lost their ability to use common sense in their transactions. We have a name for this and it rhymes with ‘cupid.’ While I want vengeance on those powers that be who stole this past election and are wreaking havoc on the world scene, including our global economics, border security, and national infrastructure; I know that God is working in all of it, preparing this planet for a major shift that will usher in His millennial kingdom. I understand this, but never thought that I would be chosen to live in the generation that would experience it; but alas, here we all are. We are all part of that fig tree generation!
I am a patriot and I come from a family of patriots. We’re a police and military family who have served our country, as well, those who have served – Ooh raah! I am a prepper, not so much for myself or my family, but for those poor unfortunate souls who will be left behind after we’re all gone. I know God has a plan for them and hopefully it will lead to their salvation, even in the post-Rapture world. God is the one who avenges, not us. He is the one who will deliver His judgments in His time; but first His Church globally must be rescued from this planet and ushered into His heavenly kingdom, the place where our true loyalty is.
I want to caution my brothers (and sisters) in the Lord who may be all about watching and not about working. We don’t know when the Master is returning, but we do know that our time here is limited. Everyday must be lived to its fullest potential; we must represent the Lord and His kingdom to everyone we encounter. We are the salt and the light to this planet, and it’s about to lose its flavor and illumination. Right now, we are here, the Church is here, the Holy Spirit is still restraining uncontrolled evil globally; but that is all about to change because we, the body of Christ, are about to be raptured. The tension lies somewhere between knowing this truth and being able to live my life in a manner that best reflects occupying in a relevant way. My wife and I just sold our properties in LA area and purchased properties in the KC area. We’re property managers, among other things, we have been doing this for years. We have established a trust and an LLC that will protect those investments for decades to come, should the Lord tarry and the creek don’t rise. However, we feel that both will happen; Jesus is coming soon and the creek is already rising. However, we still invest and plan long-term for ourselves, our adult children, and their families. This is how we occupy.
This is the tension that a watchman must endure, working hard in this life, but longing for the next. We were poor growing up, but God was faithful and He provided. When I was a little boy, I had a dream that I went to Toys-R-Us and got a plastic army truck, it was green with black wheels. I was playing with that truck in my dream and then I woke up. I was disappointed that it was only a dream. A few months back I was in a thrift store with our grandkids looking for great deals on cool toys. As we looked I saw a plastic army truck on the shelf that resembled the toy truck in my dream. I almost bought it, just for the principle, but the Lord quickened my spirit and said to leave it; some little boy will get it and enjoy it. The Lord reminded me that everything that He has blessed me with in this life is like that truck; it will be gone when we enter into the kingdom, except those two little granddaughters, they are definitely coming with, and all the believes associated with our family.
I took a picture of the toy truck to benchmark the memory and moved on. In the same way, each of us must remember that whatever we get in this life is going to disappear when we ‘wake up.’ As a result of this and other tensions that I am feeling right about now, I decided to better help you with some things that we can do to address some of this watchman tension. I want to give you the Pastor Rob Lee’s top 10 things every believer needs to be doing to endure through the pre-Rapture tension. You ready!?
1. Make sure that you are an actual believer in Jesus.
They’re a lot of people out there who think that they are saved, but in reality, they are no more saved than the man in the moon, and this is a sad thing.
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ – Matthew 7:21-23
- This event takes place at the Great White Throne Judgment, which occurs after the millennial reign. The reality is that many of these people will have been suffering in Hell for a long time before they even reach this judgment, and then only to be cast alive into the Lake of Fire.
One of the things that a true believer in Jesus has working for them is the confirmation of the Holy Spirit with their spirit that they are actually saved.
Paul said it this way, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, (Daddy) Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:12-17
- Our walk and love relationship with the Lord and His Word will reveal where we’re at with the Master. It’s not rocket science, if you love someone, you will obey and serve them well.
Jesus said it this way, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest (reveal) Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 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. 24 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.” – John 14:21-23
- When we invite Jesus to be the Lord of our life, He makes His home in us; we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. By placing our faith and trust in Him and allowing Him to have His way in us, we become His and He becomes ours. When Jesus has the best seat in our lives, it will show in how we love and respond to others; even under duress.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6
- The Lord wants us to know that without Him, we can never get to the Father in heaven.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8,9
Bottomline, if you really love Jesus, everyone is going to know, and so will you.
2. Be prepared to stick around for a while, even while knowing that we could launch at any moment.
One of the best ways to be prepared to go in the Rapture is being prepared to stay and live right for the Lord. We don’t know for sure when He will get here, we only know that He is close. It’s not going to hurt you to stock up on supplies, money, meds, and other things that you and your family may need for the coming whatever.
Solomon said it this way, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” – Proverbs 22:3
Prepping for what might happen is prudence in action. Nobody can fully prepare for the seven-year tribulation, except to not be in it. Only Jesus can help you with that. However, their will be many wealthy preppers who will think that they have outsmarted the Lord and His coming judgments, but alas, nobody out runs the long arm of the Lord; nobody.
3. Share the gospel message with everyone that Lord brings into your path.
It’s not so much that we know that we’re saved, it’s more so that we share our faith with others. God will provide opportunities for us to share His love with people; some will be strangers, but others we may know. Sometimes the sharing of our faith shows up in how we interact with others, helping them, and meeting their need as best we can. It’s not so much our words, but our actions.
Paul said it this way, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:11,12
- The only way that we will have an answer is if we are prepared in advance to give one; study up!
4. Don’t get discouraged when a high watch window passes; the next one is coming, be ready for it.
If all you’re doing is looking up, you’re setting yourself up for a disappointment. While it’s true that we are to be setting our minds on the things that are above, it’s equally true that we are to be living our lives here, planning long term, and hoping that it will all be for nothing. It’s like insurance, you pay for what you hope that you will never have to use; but you have peace of mind in knowing that you are prepared. It’s good to have a plan. When I was pastoring, I would tell my church that we will always have a plan, but when the Holy Spirit moves, we will leave our plan for His. Too many people don’t have a plan, they just fly by the seat of their proverbial pants. This is not how we are to live. Our faith in God is not mindless, rather, it must be thought out and prayed through on a daily basis. It’s good to watch, but remember, be useful with your life as you watch.
Paul reminds us that he also felt this tension, longing to be with the Lord but knowing that he had a responsibility to proclaim the gospel in this world.
“For we know that if our earthly house (physical body), this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation (dwelling) which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee (down payment). 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
5. Be a person of the Word and of prayer like never before.
David said it this way, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
– Psalm 119:105
The Apostle James said, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16
Watching and praying go hand in hand. Part of our watch regiment is reading the Word or listening to the Word being read or preached. Our faith in God comes by the hearing and preaching of His Word. Listen and read well man (or lady) of God, it will build your faith and empower your prayers.
6. Be a good steward of your local church, which includes your service and support.
We need to be attending church on a regular basis. We need to be giving our tithes and offerings, and we need to remember that church is not a pay-as-you go program. If we miss a Sunday, our tithe better not. There are a lot of things that need doing in a church community, find out what they are and get in there and serve! Don’t wait to be asked. Your role in your local church will have a major impact on the future of that church and the city where it is planted. By the way, everything we do for the Lord in this life is being recorded, everything.
The Lord didn’t go through all of the trouble to come to earth, be the perfect sacrifice for sin, and set up His NT Church just so we won’t attend and support it. We are the church, the body of Christ, we are the ones whom God chose to make it go. It’s within our grasp and responsibility to steward well the local fellowship that we belong to and to pray for and come along side our pastors and church leaders.
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24,25
7. Change the way that you live for the better. This includes forming good habits and stopping bad ones.
The first step in doing the right thing is to stop doing the wrong thing. Any good habits that we can form will only sharpen our awareness of the kingdom and prepare us for the Rapture. There’s going to be a lot of people who are going to be raptured and wonder what just happened; while others will be in the know all the way up. Sometimes forming a good habit begins with taking out the trash and cleaning up your house. Some might ask, why does it matter? My response is always the same, how you keep yourself and your home is a direct reflection of your love for the Lord. Start small and build from there. I read a great book called Atomic Habits by James Clear that deals with making small choices each day that will build into a better life. Now if you’ll excuse me, I got to hit the gym.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it (win). 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
8. Be mindful of what you set before your eyes, your ears, and your mouth.
Sometimes we allow ourselves the inappropriate exposer to a ‘guilty pleasure,’ or whatever that is for you. Beware what you set before your eyes. It can trigger emotions that will distract you from the goal of being more like Jesus. This also works for food, friends, and even those things you allow into your mind via your hearing. It all ties together and when we are mindful and watchful as to what we allow in, we will be more prepared for come what may; or if Jesus comes in May.
The Apostle John said it this way, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
9. Be a bigger, better blessing to those closest to you; those entrusted to your care.
If you thought you were good before, what kind of improvements can you make in the coming days? We don’t have a lot of time, but whatever we do, it will be recorded at the Bema Seat. I am talking about being a better person to other people, not so much for yourself in how you look or what you wear. This addressed the question, ‘Is how I am living my life creating sadness or sorrow in someone else close to me?’ I usually ask this question of married couples when I am in a counseling session with them. I make sure that I live my life in a way that pleases the Lord and my wife. I want to be a blessing to others; some days are better than others. It takes a lot of faith, but as I continue in it, my faith is increased as I mature. This is why I am better today than I was yesterday, and a month ago, and a year ago and so on.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:16,17
10. Keep the faith, no matter what. One way or another we will be with the Lord.
Don’t stop believing! Even if a high watch passes, keep on keeping on in your faith. Some people are all about the Rapture and not about living right for the Lord. They long to be with Jesus, but they never spend time with Him in the here and now; they just want to go. That’s not how we are to live for and love the Lord. Our faith in God will be strong if we spend time with the Father. We need Him and as we come to realize this more and more, we will make an intentional effort to spend that time with the Lord each day.
The Apostle James said it this way, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you . Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:7,8
I realize that this kind of advice can create tension in of itself, but the more you press into the Lord, the more He will reveal Himself and His plan to you. This has been a good life and God has blessed us well in it. Now we are being readied to graduate onto the next place that He has prepared for us, our heavenly home.
Jesus said it this way, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:1-3
We’re almost there,
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 