End Times Date Setting – is that all we
have to do?
Is there any definite sign, any prophetic
text, anything that needs to happen before the Rapture occurs?.
Jesus would be removing His Church, all
that have professed their faith in Him before He ends the dispensation of the
Church Age and return to Israel to complete the promises He made her.
These true believers, those who have put
their trust in Jesus Christ through their belief in Him, and have been saved by
His grace, not those who espouse Christianity for their convenience,
These true believers, who are in-dwelt by
the Holy Spirit, when they received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The Rapture has always been an imminent
event, meaning that it is always looming and pending and can occur at any time.
It will be over within the “twinkling of an eye” after it starts.
Our Blessed Expectation
The
Bible teaches that everything will be established by two or three witnesses
(Deuteronomy 19:15; Numbers 35:30; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians
13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19).
Yet, he
Bible is filled with admonitions regarding date setting of the Rapture of the
Church and the Second Coming of Christ.
There
are several passages that do suggest that the faithful believer will not be
caught by surprise (Luke 21:28; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Thessalonians 5:4).
The
Lord has called us to be alert (Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:35-37).
"Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the
master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or
in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto
you I say unto all, Watch and to ready." Mark 13:35-37.
The
Bible teaches that Christ can come at any moment.
Any date
setting would tend to destroy the doctrine of imminence, and would also have a negative
effect on our Christian living. We are to live in expectancy of His coming for
us any moment.
Signs of the Times
The
Bible describes in surprising detail the events that will be climaxed by the
Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Most of these are directly linked to the seven-year
period known as the "Seventieth Week of Daniel."
In
fact, this unique period is the most documented period in the Bible. Many
Christians believe that these events will occur after the Rapture of the
Church. The convergence of so many of these major prophetic events creates this
atmosphere of anticipation.
Times of the Signs
We are
entering a period of time when the Bible says more than any other period of
time in history including the time when Jesus walked the shores of the Sea of
Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea.
The
major themes emerging before us include:
1. The Preparations to Rebuild the Temple in
Jerusalem. Three times in the New Testament there are references to the
presence of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem before the Second Coming of Christ (Matthew
24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1,2).
The very presence of Israel in the Land, the regaining
of the Biblical old city of Jerusalem, are all clear, specific indications that
the final days are on the horizon.
2. Daniel 2 and 7 describe the final re-emergence
of the fourth world empire
during the end times, so for centuries scholars have looked for a "Revived Roman Empire."
This nomenclature describes the setting for
the establishment of a world
dictator that with the emergence of the European Superstate and
the movement toward a one world government.
3. The invasion of God an Magog. The most imminent event
is the impending
military incursion into Israel by Russia and an alliance of Islamic
nations described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.
These
things are beginning to take shape as we come to grips with the impending
reality of Christ's return.But
there is a difference between being ready and setting of dates.
We are
strongly and repeatedly admonished to be ready. Setting of dates is expressly
prohibited.
There
is the danger of fatalism that can immobilize the body of Christ from truly occupying
until He comes.
We
need to continue to be responsible stewards of His blessings while preparing for an uncertain future until He returns
for us.
There
is a tragic and unhealthy tendency for many of us to sit back and assume that
the Church – the total body of true believers - will be snatched out before the
real turmoil begins.
The
apparent exclusion of the Church from the tribulation period does not exempt us
from experiencing the kind of persecution that has plagued believers for the past
two thousand years!
We
should be doing our homework, winning souls for the kingdom of God, motivated
by the imminent event of the Lord’s return. That is, if we are really serious.
Are
you sure of your position in Jesus Christ?
Deal
with that issue immediately. You say you have received His salvation? What are
you doing with it?
Are you struggling with a big decision or wondering how your eternal
future will play out?
Why not talk to the God of the universe and let Him work in your
behalf?
He says, “I will instruct you
and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon
you" (Psalm 32:8).
Ask God to show you what to do. Pray the following prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner
and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past
sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please forgive me. I now
receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe
and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the
dead.
I want to receive all that
Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall
call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’
(Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the
Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask
You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have
given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank You
for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in me now. I surrender my life to You.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus Name. Amen.”
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“REDEEMED, HOW I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT”
lyrics
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
Refrain
Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.
Refrain
I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
Refrain
I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
Refrain
I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.
Refrain
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