Spring is in the air; and it’s always a wonderful time of year, especially in Paris (at least that’s what I hear). There’s something about the winter season passing, the snow melting, and the flowers blooming that resets the emotion of folks who are still struggling with a cold winter funk. It’s good to enjoy some sunshine, some rain, and the hope that comes with a Spring sunrise (pollen included). When we think of springtime, we think of love and new beginnings, depending on your point of view.
However, there are a lot of lonely people out there who don’t have anyone to love or be loved by; this is a sad reality for too many folks, and many of them are believers; which is why for them, they long for the Rapture. We do have the church, the local body of Christ, which is always a plus; but there’s something about that interpersonal touch that makes life a little nicer, even in the rain, or snow, or whatever season of duress that may come your way.
When I greet people in my church, especially older folks, I am fully aware that the hug that I give them may be the only time they are appropriately touched by another person in their week. Being loved by a spouse, a sibling, close friend, or even a brother or sister in the Lord can go a long way for believers in the body of Christ, and all potential believers. However, being loved by Jesus is the best kind of love a person can experience.
Solomon gives us a glimpse of this kind of love, “My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11 For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! 14 “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”
– Song of Solomon 2:10-14
- Here we see a picture of the masculine reaching out to the feminine in a loving embrace. The season is clearly in the Spring and the reference to ‘rise up, my love, and come away with me,’ is mentioned twice. I believe this to be a type and shadow of the Rapture; that is, the Lord Himself, as the Masculine, reaching out to His bride, the Church, the feminine, in a loving embrace; raising her (us) up and taking her (us) to His home.
While some may see types and shadows as a far stretch, I say, just ask the lonely, I am sure they will have another perspective; especially the watchers. Some people are more excited about the Lord’s return than others; but I believe this has everything to do with their place in this life; where they are at, who they are with, and how they are loved (or not loved). It would seem that the lonely believers out there have a greater longing to be loved by the Master than those who are being loved by a close and intimate spouse.
We try not to judge where another person may be at emotionally, but we do need to care about them just the same; because not caring only isolates the lonely even more. This is why some brothers and sisters in church tend to talk about themselves and their experiences more than others; even to the point of being socially awkward, invasive, or obtrusive. They have too many unused words in them, and they just want someone to listen and care.
Solomon continues, “I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded, and the pomegranates had bloomed. 12 Before I was even aware, my soul (Desired One) had made me as the chariots of my noble people.” – Song of Solomon 6:11,12
- Reading into this passage a bit more defines the season as Spring with identifiers like ‘the garden of nuts, the vine had budded, and the pomegranates had bloomed.’
The feminine, represented by the Shulamite woman, who is caught unaware that her Desired One, who is represented by the Lord Himself, has snatched her away as in a chariot; which is a definite Rapture type.
As we read in the next verse, we see the response to those who were not caught away.
“Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you! What would you see in the Shulamite—As it were, the dance of the two camps (Mahanaim)?” –(vs.13)
- People who are left behind after the Rapture are going to sorely miss us when we’re gone. The Church globally is the restraining body that holds back unprecedented evil though the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within each of us. Plus, our contribution to the local economies where we lived are going to be greatly affected when we’re not there to pay the bills or stimulate local commerce.
The world may hate us now, but it’s because they don’t know and believe in Jesus like we do. Many of them will come to faith after the Rapture, but they will have to pay a high price for their delayed response. Horrific things will happen to the people of the post-Rapture world; it’s far better to get saved now. For the Shunammite woman, a type of the Church, we see a better fate.
Solomon continues, “Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine has budded, whether the grape blossoms are open, and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love. 13 The mandrakes give off a fragrance, and at our gates are pleasant fruits, all manner, new and old, which I have laid up for you, my beloved.” – Song of Solomon 7:12,13
- Here we can see that the season is still Spring, and the location is at the vineyard gates, where the masculine is wooing the feminine with ‘all manner of pleasant fruits that have been laid up’ for her. The words of Solomon depict the love that the Lord has for His children, both the Jews who are yet to be saved, and the Gentiles who have come to faith; in a future tense.
Too many folks miss the strategic importance of understanding the potential of a Spring Rapture; however, not knowing Jesus when He does return for His people, whatever season it may be, only fortifies their dismay in missing out on their ‘Desired One’ as Solomon portrays here. Don’t believe me? Just ask everyone who dies without Jesus. Their flawed understanding of life and their perceived view of the eternal is radically challenged with the harsh truth of God’s Word and the permanency of His judgments.
The Lord went through a lot of effort to see to it that we would be spiritually sound (saved) and tactically ready (aware) for His return. Jesus’ statement to us if we miss the Rapture or die without Him, it will be over His dead and resurrected body that we do so. The Lord has made a way possible for us to be saved, and it’s ONLY through Him. (John 14:6)
In 2 Kings 8 we see how the prophet Elisha restores the Shunammite’s (a different woman) land.
“Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the Lord has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years.” 2 So the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God, and she went with her household and dwelt in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 It came to pass, at the end of seven years, that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her land. 4 Then the king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me, please, all the great things Elisha has done.”
5 Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son he had restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed a certain officer for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now.” – 2 Kings 8:1-6
- Here in this passage we see how the Shunammite woman, and her family, are spared from a seven-year famine. When the famine is over, she returns to her land where it is restored to her by order of the king.
The type and shadow of this exchange deals with God’s love for this woman and her family in a time of famine. He provides for her by removing her from the land of famine for the duration of that seven-year famine. Notice how the famine is not stopped, but that the woman is removed from it. Her house and land remain and are later restored to her. We may lose many things in this life, but it’s all very temporary. What God gives us is eternal. When the tribulation does occur, what we own today will be gone baby! However, after the tribulation, the Lord will return to the war and judgment ravaged earth with His Church to retake and restore this planet to Himself, and to each of us, in His millennial reign.
Right now I am seeing some ominous signs regarding a weather crisis across this nation. Solar flares and the earthquakes they cause are currently happening. People are excited about the aurora borealis as it’s now visible in southern states as far south as Alabama. Don’t get we wrong, the lights in the sky look cool, but they come at a price. They are in our neighborhood for a reason. It’s as if the Lord is telling us, ‘the bridge is out!’
I see many people in a place of desperation and concern over their safety and potential loss. I see is a set up to a famine, a seven-year famine, and the Lord has given us ample signs as to its nearness. Like the Shunammite woman, if we are in Christ, we will be spared from this famine. God will restore to us what He has for us on the other side. We don’t fear what the world fears; we fear God and love Him just the same.
‘He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep gaining what he cannot lose.’
– Missionary Jim Elliot
If the Lord does return for His Church sometime in the Spring, the next high watch will be around Pentecost, which happens before the summer solstice, which is always on June 21st. This Pentecost (5/18/19/24) marks 40 days since the second Great American Solar Eclipse which occurred on 4/8/24. While this may be a big nothing burger, just another eclipse, just another sigh in the heavens; it could also intimate something big in the form of a judgment as it was in Jona’s day. A springtime Pentecost Rapture would be nice, but if not, at least it was another high watch season.
Then we have the infamous Parable of the Fig Tree,
“Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” – Luke 21:29-33
- In this passage we see Jesus telling us to ‘look at the fig free (singular – Israel) and all the trees’ (plural – the Gentile nations). It’s a simple, relevant phrase that identifies the target nations of this parable. The phrase, ‘when they are already budding’ is an identifier to the season, in this case, Spring.
Jesus says that ‘you can know for yourselves that summer is near,’ but not quite yet. This could literally refer to this time being closer (nearer) to the summer solstice; but not quite there yet. Jesus further states that ‘when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.’ The phrase, ‘these things’ are the things Jesus was discussing previously in this chapter. (Luke 21)
The ‘kingdom of God’ is the rule of God; in this case, it’s God’s end time plan is unfolding before our eyes. For the Jews and unsaved Gentiles, it will be the seven-year tribulation; for the Church, it will be the Rapture.
We don’t know specifically when it happens, but we do know when it’s close. This generation, the fig tree generation, ‘will by no means pass away till all these things take place.’ This is a direct reference to the young people, the children, who were alive when Israel became a nation (May 14, 1948).
Anyone born before 5/14/48 and is still living today is part of the fig tree generation! They will all be older now, but they were alive when Israel became a nation, and they are still living today. This defines exactly who this very special generation is in relation to biblical prophecy; they are the fig tree generation. Our dear brother Amir Tsarfati just preached a message dealing with this issue of how long a biblical generation really is. Suffice it to say, the lifespan of an individual living in May 1948 would represent that generation, which also includes the Second Coming of Jesus.
We who have been born after 5/14/48 are also included with that generation, but the ones who were there in May 1948 are that generation. They will not all pass away before ‘all these things are fulfilled.’ Again, it should be noted that Jesus included His Second Coming when He said, ‘all these things be fulfilled.’ It should bring an excitement and a little fear in how close we really are.
This understanding may be too much to comprehend for many Christians who believe that we still have many years to go. It that is the case, let’s keep busy serving Jesus and planning long while we watch, wait, and work for the Lord. If our time is about up, then so be it, but we are still planning long while we watch, wait, and work.
Someone asked me that even if I knew Jesus would be here by the end of this month, would I change anything that I am doing? I said, ‘no.’ As a matter of fact, I am making plans for the summer that include a trip back to LA, a speaking engagement, some visitations with friends and family, which also includes a wedding. I look forward to water skiing on Lake Havasu with some High School friends and spending some quality time with my wife of 35 years. The point I am making is that Jesus could be here yesterday, but we still need to live our lives to the fullest, serving the Lord by loving others in His name. Our witness never ends until we do, be it death or Rapture. Even as I write this, I sense the Lord’s nearness, but I am still planning long.
Jesus said it this way in Matthew’s gospel, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it (He) is near—at the doors!” – Matthew 24:32,33
- We see a similar write in Luke’s account, but with the caveat of, ‘when you see all these things, know that it (He) is near – at the doors.’ Jesus wants us to know when He is near, when His kingdom is near, when the Rapture is soon to occur.
The Holy Spirit will confirm in your spirit that what Christ said in His Word is about to take place. I like what Moses wrote in the psalms, his only psalm:
“The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” – Psalm 90:10
- The phrase ‘we fly away’ I believe is a future reference to the Rapture/Resurrection, depending on if a person was saved when they died or saved at the time of the Rapture.
Something ominous is about to happen. I like to call it ‘the bump.’ A bump is an event or a series of events that the Lord allows to happen to wake His people up. Some say this has already happened with the C-19 hoopla, the wars and rumors (saber rattling) of wars, and the looming financial crisis on our nation; not to mention all of the other stuff that is currently happening in our pre-tribulation era world. Regardless of what you might believe about the season of the Lord’s return, we should be advised that the Rapture could very well happen in this Pentecost season timeframe.
Too many people believe that we still have a ways to go and that there is still plenty of time; and that may be true, but there’s something about this second eclipse that marks a different feel.
If only more folks could see how close we really are. My challenge to you is simple, call upon the Lord and ask Him to reveal to you personally where we really are at in all of this. God is faithful, He will reveal it to you if you ask Him; mainly because the Lord wants you to know what he is doing in the earth right now. (Amos 3:7)
I want to give a shout out to RiverRatHeather on YouTube. I came across her channel shortly after the April 8th eclipse. She has been doing a daily devotional countdown since the second eclipse and creating a venue for folks to chime in and share what God has been showing them in relation to this eclipse. There are always the scoffers and mockers who criticize the believers who are posting their comments and that’s unfortunate.
A lot of believers are excited about the Lord’s return and they want to share it with like-minded and pure-hearted brothers and sisters. These same people have experienced a lot of drama, damage, trauma, and other setbacks that God has forgiven them for. It feels great to be forgiven! These are precious folks and are as excited about the Lord’s return as they are in the hope that He has given them.
The 40-day countdown ends on Pentecost this year. Something big is about to happen, be it the Rapture or a major judgment, or both; God only knows. One thing is for sure, we are all watching, working, serving, and hoping that this is it. Time will tell; but in the meantime, let’s keep busy for Jesus, sharing His gospel, supporting missions, being the Church, and loving others like Jesus loves them.
Jesus has called us to ‘occupy until He comes.’ This means that for the Christian, we need to be running our best race now. I feel like I am in a sort of sprint, running toward the finish line. In my younger years, when I had more hair and less weight, I was a long distance runner. When I would near the end of a race, I would run faster because I knew my race was about to be over and I wanted to improve my time. I feel like I am doing this right now, I am running a bit faster now, living my best witness now. I am serving the Lord with my whole heart now, and loving those people entrusted to my care in a manner that is well-pleasing to the Lord. It’s springtime folks, and the Lord is revealing to us His heart for us. We need to respond in like.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northwest Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-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 