What is happening in the world and what are the prophetic implications?

Have you ever thought that something was off or terribly wrong with the world today? Indeed, something is wrong. 

• The social fabric in many societies is disintegrating: In America for example, broken families are the norm, the police are not respected, media and government leaders are not trusted, and disagreements about politics and faith has left the nation polarized. Civil unrest is common, and whispers of a civil war are rampant.
• Many are in despair: The #1 illness in North America is depression. Suicide attempts are on the rise. More than 1,000,000 attempted suicide in America last year.
• Tension and anger are on the rise: No one is surprised when the news reports a road rage incident, violent ‘melt-downs’ in supermarkets,  or brawls in large venues. The world seems on edge.
• The world seems vulnerable: Every few weeks the news reports an unusual sink-hole has appeared, mudslides, flooding or forest fires have destroyed large areas of land, extreme weather has impacted life and farming, earthquake and volcanic activity has killed or displaced thousands, or tens of thousands of animals suddenly and mysteriously die. Eco and geologic systems seem to be changing (and struggling).
• Violence is rampant:  It is common now to read of young children plotting to murder classmates and parents. Stories of atrocities by terrorist groups are constantly in the news, as are stories of violent altercations between various protesting groups. Violent crime in the U.S. is on the rise, even though overall crime has declined since 1980.
• The church seems to be dying: Church attendance is decreasing rapidly. Mainline Christian denominations are fraught with infighting and disagreement about key doctrinal positions. Many denominational offices have set aside past commitments to orthodoxy and now embrace a more liberal, progressive ideology. This obscures the truth, minimizes accountability, and distorts teachings regarding what God expects of His followers.
• A negative spirit is evident: Though difficult to pinpoint, there seems to be an underlying pessimism and anger in society.
• An egocentric and narcissistic spirit is evident: The focus on me and the drive for more permeates our culture.
• Values are changing: What was considered right in the past is now considered wrong. Chaos is rampant. The idea of moral absolutes is rejected and truth is viewed as subjective.
• The geopolitical landscape is fragile and changing: It is not surprising to read of coups, wars, rumors of wars, sanctions or embargos.
• The global economy is fragile: It is not unusual for reporters and world leader to speak of significant swings in the markets, the need for new trade tariffs or agreements, and talk of new currencies.

These are just a few of the signs that illustrate how the world has changed in the last 40 years, and not for the better. It is important to recognize that all that is referenced in the first part of this article, was noted in Bible prophecy many years ago. What we are witnessing today is what prophecy states would take place just before the return of the Lord (the Rapture) and the beginning of the Tribulation period. The Bible likens the events of the last days to labor or birth pains, which begin slowly and intensify as the time of delivery approaches.

Friends, when dark clouds form overhead and winds pick up you know a storm is near. Jesus said, “…when you see all these things, you know that it [the end of this age and time of the Rapture] is near, right at the door” (Matthew. 24:33b). Labor pains intensify when the time of delivery approaches. The labor pains or signs noted in this article are intensifying—things are worse now than they were 15 years ago. This indicates the time of delivery is at hand. Christians realize that the delivery is the Rapture. Through the Rapture, Jesus will ‘catch-up,’ rescue and deliver His people from the terrible time of suffering the world will soon endure (the Tribulation period).

The next section presents additional information on what the Bible says is going to happen in the near future.

What the Bible says is about to happen

The world is fast approaching a terrible period of history—the Tribulation period. The Bible references the Tribulation as the time of Jacob’s sorrow and the time of God’s wrath. Jesus prophesied that the Tribulation will be a time of unprecedented upheaval. This season of sorrow will make the horrors of the holocaust, atomic detonations in Japan, the Rwanda genocide, the oppression of communist dictators, and the killing fields of Cambodia seem like insignificant footnotes in history. The terror that is to come has no precedent and will have no equal.

TRIBULATION PERIOD PROPHECIES INCLUDE:  

• Earthquakes: Great earthquakes will shake the world during the Tribulation period (Revelation 6:12, 8:5, 11:13, 16:18, etc.).
• Vegetation will be decimated: Revelation 8:7 notes that 1/3 of all vegetation on Earth will die.
• A meteor or comet falls into the sea: Revelation 8:8-9 notes that the something will fall into the ocean and destroy 1/3 of life in all seas.
• Wormwood: Similar to what is noted above, Rev. 8:10-11 notes that a celestial object will fall to the earth and cause fresh water to turn bitter—resulting in many deaths.
• Reduction of light: Revelation 8:12 notes that there will be a 1/3 reduction of light (from the sun, moon, and stars).
• Tormenting creatures: Revelation 9:1-12 notes that fearsome scorpion-like creatures from the demon world will torment humanity.
• Forced worship of Antichrist: 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13 note that the Beast (the Antichrist) will force all to worship him. Failure to do so will result in starvation (those who do not take the mark will be unable to buy or sell), and death (beheading is specifically mentioned). Proof of allegiance to the Antichrist will include receiving a mark (the Mark of the Beast) on the right hand or forehead.
• Sores on those who receive the Mark: Revelation 16:1-2 states that those who accept the Mark of the Beast, signifying their worship of him, will contract painful sores on their body. Note: Those who receive the Mark of the Beast are irredeemable (Rev. 14:9-12).
• A great army from the east: The sixth trumpet announces the coming of a great army from the east (two hundred million men). This army advances toward Israel and leaves devastation in its wake (Rev. 9:13).
• Life in seas and rivers dies: Revelation 16:3-4 indicates that remaining life in salt and fresh waters will die. The death toll will be staggering as the oceans become as blood.
• Scorching heat: Revelation 16:8 notes that scorching heat which causes misery and devastate vegetation.
• Darkness: Revelation 16:10-11 notes that there will be an unusual and heavy darkness (during daylight hours) and with it, painful maladies (some translations say ‘plagues’).
• War: The world will be caught-up in series of wars—the first of which will likely precede the beginning of the Tribulation. Billions will die.

Revelation 6:8 states that one-fourth of humanity will die in various conflicts. The last conflict will end with the battle of Armageddon—a battle in which the Antichrist will lead the armies of the world against Jerusalem in the greatest military engagement the world has ever known. He will fail.

These are just some of the events the Bible prophecy states are sure to come. Many Christian leaders note that numerous signs and markers indicate that the time for the return of Christ and commencement of the Tribulation period is very near. The Bible states that during the Tribulation strong men will “long for death,” family members will turn on each other, the world will become a dark police-state, many will starve, and pestilence and plague will be rampant. Dark days are coming but there is Hope—His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus has promised a rescue in an event known as the Rapture.

The Rapture event is promised and imminent. The next section presents information on the timing of this very important happening.

Why believe the Rapture is imminent

How can one know there will be a Rapture?

It is difficult to believe in something that others question or deny. Many dismiss the idea of a Rapture, but this teaching has strong Scriptural support. Those who are not in right relationship with Jesus Christ when He comes for His bride, the Church, will be left behind. We pray that you and your loved ones will not be left to endure the horrors of the Tribulation period. Noted below are five reasons to believe the Rapture event will happen:

1. The Rapture will happen because Jesus spoke of it (Matt. 24:27, 37-41).
2. The Rapture will happen because Jesus cautioned individuals to prepare for it (Matt. 24:42-44)
3. The Rapture will happen because the Apostle Paul wrote of it (1 Thess. 4:15-18; 5:9; 1 Cor. 15:52)
4. The Rapture will happen because it is referenced in the book of Revelation (Rev 3:10-11; 4:1-2; 7:9-17).
5. The Rapture will happen because it is allegorized in the book, Songs of Solomon, and is consistent with the nature and working of God through the ages (deliverance and rescue are always offered before divine judgment comes).

The Rapture is imminent because Jesus said there would be signs that announce His return (Matt. 24:32-33). Those signs have either already been fulfilled or are taking place now. They include:

1. Israel must be restored as a nation (this happened in 1948 in accordance with prophecies found in Ezekiel 4 and 37)
2. Israel would be restored as a nation in one day (in accordance with Isa. 66:8).
3. The Hebrew language would return to the land, and the land would prosper (Isaiah 55:12-13).
4. There would be a move to reestablish Jerusalem as the capital.
5. Control of the city of Jerusalem would be a point of contention for the world (Zech. 12:1-4)

The Rapture will happen because it is prophesied to happen and Bible prophecies are true. Every one of the more than 900 prophecies to be fulfilled by this point in history, have been fulfilled, exactly as foretold. The remaining 100 or so prophesied events (including the Rapture) will be too.

The Rapture event is imminent because all requisite prophies related to the Rapture have been fulfilled, and the signs Jesus said would precede the Rapture are visible. Matthew 24:33b notes: “…When you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.”

The Bible notes that last days events are a mix of wonder and wrath. Prophecies will be fulfilled, Jesus will return, the Antichrist will rise, and there will be war and tribulations. The next section presents information on the HOPE we have in Christ.

Is there any hope – Any good news?

The answer is YES—His name is Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:1). In Jesus we find hope for today (John 10:10), the promise of eternal life in heaven in the age to come (John 3:16), and an escape for the terrible trials that are about to come on this earth (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

Scripture promises that God’s people (sometimes called the church or bride of Christ) will escape the time of wrath that is to come (1 Thess. 5:9-10). Revelation 3:10 notes that faithful believers in Christ will be “kept from the time of trial that is coming…”   These verses are referencing the Rapture—a profound last-days event that evidences the grace of God. Through the Rapture believers will instantaneously be “caught up” (rescued) to be with Christ in the air. One of the key verses which support the Rapture teaching ends with these words: “…we will be caught up together… to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:17b-18)

Many sense that a darkness is falling on the world. Many are depressed, many are angry. Violence is increasing. Evil is on the rise. Yes, times are difficult, and will become more difficult in the days to come. However, there is hope! The Lord is coming—a rescue (the Rapture) is coming. The call is to believe and to be active in doing good and right until He comes.

Persevere. It is possible that the Rapture is the next significant prophetic event to take place. Jesus said that his return would be preceded by signs, and that when we see these signs, we would know that His return was imminent (Luke 21:25-31). As noted above, one can see these ‘signs’ today.

The Lord can come at any moment. And when Jesus returns, those who are spiritually ready (right with God) will be taken-up to be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and those who are left will have to endure the horrors of the upcoming Tribulation period. Billions (not millions) will die. Most of those who become believers in Christ in those last seven years (the Tribulation period) will be martyred for their faith. The church will be gone. Evil will be rampant. Society will disintegrate. Plagues and war will come. The Antichrist will rise to power—his policies will make Hitler seem like a gentleman. It will be a time such that the world has never known. You will not want to see it—I pray you will not have to. The good news is, there is a way to guarantee you will escape the terror that is coming: Become a devoted follower in Jesus Christ. The paragraphs that follow note what God has done to make it possible for humans to become holy and restored in a right relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.

What God Has Done for Us

The situation was grave when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. God loves humans and desires to be in perfect relationship with them—on earth and in heaven. However, humans are willful and quick to fall into sin and out of a perfect relationship with their Creator. The book of Genesis notes how the first humans were disobedient. In rejecting God’s counsel they fell into sin and out of a state of perfection. The eternal fate of humanity was in jeopardy. However, God determined He would not forsake His people. In the early chapters of Genesis God declared that He would send a Savior to make things right. This Savior, the Messiah, would redeem and restore sinful humanity.

In accordance with God’s Law which requires a perfect sacrifice to atone for sin, the Messiah was sent from heaven, lived a sinless life, and became the ultimate perfect sacrifice. The Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus Christ came to earth over 2000 years ago, was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, lived a humble life, healed many, taught the masses, and though He was guilty of no sin or wrongdoing, He was arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified. He took our punishment.

The prophet Isaiah writes that God placed our sins on Him (Isaiah 53). The debt that we owed to God, Jesus paid. He died on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven and our souls made perfect. He died so we could live, in glory, with Him, in heaven, forever.

This is a lot to process, and possibly difficult to believe. But all that Jesus did 2000 years ago was prophesied to happen hundreds of years before He came to earth. The biblical record is true. What Scripture records about our sin, our need, God’s love, and what the Messiah has done is true. What the Bible states about what Jesus is about to do is true. The next section presents information on how to be prepared for the return of Jesus, what to expect and do as a follower of Jesus, and suggested next steps for the new believers in Christ.