I am hearing reports from various watchers that a lot of the elites are either leaving the US or hunkering down for the inevitable; whatever that may be. At the same time many Americans are looking forward to the ‘golden age’ of America to occur; with her newly elected leader, and the promises that he brings to a worn out people. While I too try to be optimistic about the future, I am also mindful of the powers that be and how they are not going to just give over the reins without a fight; or worse, a set up for failure. I am not a pessimist and I try to be positive in my stance, however, I am a realist and I can see the proverbial writing on the wall in this coming exchange of presidential power. What is happening here will affect the entire world, and me thinks to a degree that it already has.
When the mainstream media reports that our current president has given the leader of Ukraine the ‘green light’ to use US made long range weapons to fire into downtown Moscow, I am thinking that it’s set up for failure. Putin has already stated that if so much as a drone shows up at the Kremlin, he will use nuclear weapons against the west and western interests. What we are seeing here is none other than a set up for Daniel’s 70th week.
For Christians who love the Lord and have faith in His shed blood for their salvation, they (we) are looking for an exit door from all of this. It’s the pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church, our blessed hope.
Paul said it this way, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” – Titus 2:11-14
- The Rapture of the Church is our blessed hope; the glorious appearing is Christ’ Second Coming to the earth, with His Church. As true believers in Jesus, we are motivated to serve the Lord because we love the Lord. Even in the midst of the looming threats and such, we continue to serve Jesus and live life.
We love Jesus because He has provided us salvation through His shed blood on a cross for the atonement of our sin; it’s only by His grace. We don’t deserve anything good from the Father; and yet, as believers in Jesus, He still blesses us with good things, beginning with eternal life through Jesus our Lord.
James said it this way, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17
- God blesses us with good things because He is our heavenly Father who loves us and desires a genuine relationship with us. It doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen in life from time to time; but God promises to go through it with us as we place our faith and trust in Him.
Even in our flawed and sinful condition, the Lord provided us a way for our salvation through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross. All we have to do is to invite Christ to be our Lord and Savior, believe upon His name, and ask for His forgiveness for our sin. Only Jesus can forgive sin and He alone can save us.
Many watchers have been accused of being ‘escapists’ in their faith, believing that Jesus will return before the seven-year tribulation. I too believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture, so if escapist is what we’re labeled, then sobeit, we’re escapists. Paul reminds us that when the ‘sudden destruction’ does come, they (the unsaved) shall not escape, but we (the saved) will.
“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
- For a true believer in Jesus, the idea of the pre-tribulation Rapture is more of an end to a means; as well, a beginning to the eternal life that Christ has promised to us and all those who love Him. It’s a door into our heavenly home; the entry point to the promise that Jesus Himself gave to His disciples (not Judas) and us too, at the Last Supper.
Jeus 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
- In this life there is stress, bills, worries, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. However, in the life that is to come, Jesus has promised us eternal life in Christ. In this world there is sin and degradation, but in heaven, there is peace and love that comes from the Father, who is the author of all life and love.
I am becoming more convinced that the ‘sudden destruction’ that Paul spoke of in 1 Thessalonians 5 is a nuclear exchange. While it won’t destroy the entire world, certain areas will be decimated. This will immediately lead into the chaos that the Rapture will cause and the eventual rise of the antichrist in the seven-year tribulation.
The Rapture is the glorious process that takes us from this world into the next. Even though we are seeing terrible and threatening things happen all around us, we are not to be worried or fearful because Jesus Himself told us…
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Luke 21:28
- Our redemption is the Rapture. The word ‘redemption’ (Greek: apolutrosis), used as a noun, implies ‘a releasing for a ransom, deliverance from physical torture, and the deliverance of the people of God at the coming of Christ.’ (Vine’s p.516)
The redemption is an escape from what is about to occur on this planet in the set up to the tribulation. The Church will be taken first, before the antichrist can be revealed.
Paul reminds us, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin (lawlessness) is revealed, the son of perdition,” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3
- The ‘Day’ is the ‘day of the Lord,’ which encompasses all of the end time activity, post Rapture. I believe that the ‘falling away’ is the Rapture. I also believe that the ‘man of sin’ is the antichrist.
Paul goes on to say, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,” – 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9
- The order for the Day of the Lord is the Rapture, and then the revelation of the antichrist who brokers the peace treaty between the many nations and Israel which will start the seven-year tribulation.
The restraining power of the Holy Spirit within all true Christians at the time of the Rapture is what holds back unrelenting evil and global devastation. When we’re gone, so will be the restraining power of the Holy Spirit. It’s after the Restrainer (Spirit-filled Church) is removed at the Rapture, that the antichrist can come out of his hole and take over the world; at least for a little while.
Even as I write this blog, many believers are upset as the prospects of a nuclear exchange between Russia, the US, and other nations bent on our destruction. Rumor has it that there are submarines hidden off our three coasts who are poised and ready to send their payload into key cities in our nation. They simply are awaiting orders from the powers that be. While this can’t be confirmed, it’s a good bet that the same oceans that have protected us for the past 250 years will now be the cover for the most horrific military offensive this world has ever seen; if in fact it’s true that we’re targeted by these submersible beasts.
As I ponder this possible future, I am also comforted by these passages of Scripture that remind me that Christians will escape the mess that is to come. For mid and post tribbers, this is their time to hunker down and stock up their supplies. For pre-tribbers, this is our clarion call that the Master is returning for His Church very soon and we need to be ready for His reception, listening for His trumpet voice calling us home. Until then, we must obey the Lord’s command to not fear, or worry, or have our hearts troubled as to what we are seeing, but rather to look up for our redemption, lift up our heads, for our escape is drawing near.
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 