I was thinking that I should chime in on the recovery posts that are being uploaded all over social media. Many have taken it upon themselves to mock, scoff, and berate believers for watching for the Lord’s return on a given date that has now passed. While I will always share in the disappointment of a high watch, I do believe that if we are to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep,’ (Romans 12:15) than kicking a believer when they are hurting is not consistent with what Jesus would have us do.
I am always cautiously optimistic when it comes to high watch dates, and equally disappointed when they pass; but I keep watching because I am in love with Jesus and I long for His return. While this might make some people feel a bit uncomfortable (which is not my intention), I do it because I am a person who is living and the land of the dying, but longing for the land of the living.
To all my brothers and sisters out there who are hurting and sorrowful for another missed high watch, can I comfort and encourage you with these words of Jesus, “…I will come again…’ (John 14) My sister, who knows I am a watcher, and who knew about this high watch season (as did the rest of humanity), sent this to me on the evening of 9/23. It sparked some comforting and encouraging conversation that I am sure we all need right about now. I want to give a shout out to all of the watchers who have posted encouraging and uplifting vlogs in an effort to comfort hurting believers who are as disappointed as they are sorrowful for another missed date.
I never set dates, as I believe in immanence when it come to the Rapture; but I always walk a little more eagerly and expectantly when we approach the Feast of Trumpets each year. At the same time I don’t want to discourage others who watch dates and are excited about them; I only caution them because I have felt the disappointment that comes with a passed high watch date too many times. Pastor J.D. Farag says that we’re not date setters, we’re date watchers. I don’t look to dates, but to Jesus, who, by the way, will get here when He gets here; hopefully it will be sooner than later. Whenever He does get here, we must be living ready and doing what He has commanded us when He arrives. This is the mind and heart set of every believer who is in love with Jesus.
As far as brother Joshua Mhlakela, Mike (medic4Chirst), Chris (globalrapturewatchers) and sister Shelly who moderates for him, and the many others out there who are hurting and a bit confused about all of this. Might I encourage you all with a word from an angel of the Lord Himself (literally) who said,
“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” – Mark 16:6,7
Jesus loved Peter so much and He knew that he would be hurting after he denied Christ three times. In like manner, these watchers put their necks out there with this prophetic word and are now being ridiculed for it. I should like to warn those who are quick to cast proverbial stones; we all long for the Lord’s return and these past few months has brought a lot of exposure to the nearness of the Lord’s return for His Church. We have seen and heard hundreds of ‘Rapture conformation’ testimonials that were spawned from individuals whom the Lord spoke with individually. I was so encouraged by many of the testimonies and prayed for many who shared them with the watcher community. We need to embrace our own faith and look to Jesus who really is the author and finisher of it. (Hebrews 12:2) We should not put another believer down, especially now, no more than an older sibling should scoff at a younger sibling who is eagerly waiting for their father to return home.
If I were your pastor and you reached out to me for comfort and encouragement, I would give it to you with a big hug and words of affirmation. I would tell you that I am inspired by your boldness and that it’s not over until it’s over; we’re still in the window as long as we’re here on the earth; no matter who claims a date or season. I like what my friend and brother in Christ, Tom from Watchman River says, ‘Every day is a high watch day until the Lord finally gets here.’ Tom always closes out his program with, ‘Today would be a great day for the Rapture.’ I would agree because we are so close to it as the world around us continues to ‘fall into place’ for the soon return of Jesus for His Church.
The truth be told, there have been so many convergences for this season, apart from any one person claiming a specific date for the Rapture. While I am not going to cast aspersions on anyone for what was said, I will, however, remind all of us that we are in this together and we are going to get out of it together, at the same time, in the twinkling of an eye; whenever it does actually happen.
Some people are struggling with the 2,550 day count that matches the Feast of Trumpets 2025 with the Day of Atonement 2032. I did a blog on this a few weeks back that you can read on this site (2,520 Days!). As a pastor and teacher of Eschatology, I should like to remind us all that the Bible makes it clear that the seven-year tribulation lasts exactly 2,520 days; to the day. If this is true and we are still looking for Christ’ Second Coming to occur on Yom Kippur 2032, than the window for His return this year is still open (at least until mid-October), for the tribulation to begin. I always tell my students, the Rapture is NOT what kick starts the tribulation, it’s the signing of the treaty that the antichrist will broker with the many nations and Israel. He can’t be revealed until the Church is gone. If this is going to happen this year, than something big has to happen very soon.
I have been so inspired by the many watchers who have put themselves out there in faith, proclaiming the soon return of the Lord. Forget setting or looking for dates, your faith has blessed me and I want to be a blessing to you in this recovery blog. I should like to give you a word picture of a momma bear and her cub. The momma bear has 20 arrows stuck in her and she is stumbling and in pain, but she continues on. Her cub has 2 arrows in it and is lying dead. The message has more to do with how a more mature believer can take the hits, while younger (novice) believers can’t. If you have been hit and are lying on the ground, I want to remind you that we serve a God who resurrects His own, He gives life to dead things, and (Romans 4:17) He calls those things which do not exist as though they did. Your faith in Christ is what makes you strong; not the inappropriate focus of a potential Rapture date. This is why we keep our eyes on Jesus, not on a date. There is a reason why the Lord kept His return for His Church a bit ambiguous. At least He told us when He would be near, even at the very doors. (Matthew 24:33) I think that we can all agree that the Lord’s return is at the doors.
Some of the watchers are posting apologies for their watcher prowess. They may feel that it’s necessary and I am not the person to say otherwise; however, I would like to express to them that your sorrowful demeanor only reveals the purity of your heart and your genuine love for the Lord and your brothers and sisters in Christ. I would say to you that it takes a big soul to own an indiscretion. I would know, I have made a lot of them. In the same way I would encourage you in your own recovery and remind you that Noah and his family had to remain on the ark for seven days before is started to rain. We’re still in the window. Be encouraged, not in a date or a potential date, but in the Lord who has promised to come and get us before He brings His judgment on those who ‘dwell on the earth.’
Jesus makes a promise to the church in Philadelphia, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” – Revelation 3:10
This passage screams pre-tribulation Rapture as the ‘hour of trial’ is the seven year tribulation, all 2,520 days of it. We know this because the Lord further identifies this ‘trial’ as something that will ‘come upon the whole world.’ He also provides a purpose for the tribulation, ‘to test those who dwell on the earth.’ Earth dwellers are those whose home is not in heaven, at least not yet. These are unbelievers who may or may not come to faith during the tribulation. The choice is theirs just as we also had to choose the Lord by faith for ourselves.
One final thought as I close out this blog. A ‘BroScott’ just released a compelling video on YouTube titled ‘Joshua is Still Right.’ In it he provides an alternative date for the Feast of Trumpets; it’s on September 23rd and 24th, 2025 on the Julian calendar. That converts to October 6th and 7th. If this is true, then everything Brother Joshua said in his vision about what Jesus told him about the timing of His return for His Church, the Exodus, is also true. On the other hand, as I have said before, if this is just another date that will come and go like all of the others, so be it; but know this, Jesus is still coming for us. I don’t usually share these kinds of resources on my blogs, but I have made an exception in this case because I believe it challenges the current narrative that has painfully impacted so many watchers in our community.
I love the Lord and I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I long for His Kingdom and I spend time with the Lord every day in prayer, Bible study, doing devotionals, journaling, and witnessing. I have only good things to say about most of these watchers and those who intentionally follow after the Lord.
Our time is very short and we all need to be working out our salvation with fear and trembling, (Philippians 2:12) not with criticism and stone throwing. Truth be told, many of these watchers are genuine believers whose sorrow for a passing date has defined their heart for, and their faith in, Jesus. It’s not our place to cast aspersions on them, but to love and support them in word and prayer.
If brother Joshua’s claim turns out to be false; again, it will be revealed after October 6th & 7th when the Julian calendar is on the Feast of Trumpets, September 23rd and 24th. If not, it won’t matter because we will all finally be home. In essence, what we may have experienced this week was a sort of ‘false start.’ I believe that if brother Joshua knew that he was using the wrong calendar, he wouldn’t have done the live stream on the 23rd and 24th. I am sure that this video of BroScott will go viral and more mockers will jump in and cause more pain. In the meantime, we need to be about the Master’s business and share our faith with others, encouraging one another, and even more so as we see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
If your hurting, be encouraged, Jesus really is coming for us. We don’t know for sure when, only that he is close. If this calendar switch thing turns out to be another nothing burger, than we will just keep on trusting in Jesus and continue to serve Him well. Dates come and go, but Jesus is forever. Keep your eyes on Him. The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth and guide you through the mess. Ask Him to help you to sort out the truth from the lie, the distraction from the reality, and to love and pray for those who are struggling.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, who resides in Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 37-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (30+ 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 