Matthew 24:6-7 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
The Rapture will happen in an instant—faster than my feet can even hit the floor in the morning. Scripture promises that our earthly bodies will be transformed into bodies like Christ’s in the “twinkling of an eye.” Some scientists suggest this takes a mere eleven one-hundredths of a second! That is an event I refuse to miss, and through Christ, I am 100% certain I won’t.
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
This doesn’t mean we won’t face hardships before the Rapture occurs. Our headlines are saturated with the tragedies in Ukraine and Israel, with surrounding nations like Iran and Russia fueling the fire. We are surrounded by “wars and rumors of wars,” and the destruction is heartbreaking. However, we cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by the negative. Our focus must remain centered on Jesus and His return, not on the identity or timing of the Antichrist. We must keep our eyes on the horizon, for our redemption is drawing near.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
It is increasingly clear that we are living in the end times. We must remember that the Old Testament and its prophecies revolve primarily around Israel and her Messiah, King Jesus. Some suggest we are already in the Tribulation, claiming that those who believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture are ignoring the evil powers currently at work. I don’t deny that evil exists; rather, I believe that everything we see today is a setup—a segue—for the Antichrist’s eventual platform. These global shifts must happen to pave the way for his seven-year peace treaty with Israel. The “god of this world” is indeed working overtime.
While some teach that the first half of the Tribulation will be peaceful, the Book of Revelation paints a much grimmer picture. In Chapter 6 alone, one-fourth of the world’s population—nearly 2 billion people—will perish.
Revelation 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
The population will continue to dwindle as the trumpet judgments begin. The very first trumpet brings fire that consumes a third of the earth’s trees and all green grass.
Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
These events are not merely symbolic; they are literal, horrific realities that have not yet occurred. The Antichrist has not been revealed, though many believe “enlightened” groups are currently pulling the strings. Interestingly, the first “enlightenment” happened in Eden when the serpent deceived Eve.
Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Satan is the ultimate source of this “enlightenment,” masquerading as an angel of light to deceive.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
The Antichrist will not be an abstract organization, but a specific man. He will broker a treaty with Israel and eventually demand worship as God in a rebuilt Temple. While Israel may initially believe they have found peace, the judgments of the first few years will begin to open their eyes.
Matthew 24:15-22 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (16) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (17) Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: (18) Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. (19) And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (20) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: (21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
The devil has hated the Jews since the beginning. He was at the root of every earthly leader who has sought to destroy them (i.e., Hitler, et al). We are seeing antisemitism in our universities here in America and all around the world. Hitler affected Europe only. Now it is happening all over the world. Satan’s goal is to destroy Israel. Israel existed for about 680 years in the Old Testament. It did not come into existence again until May 14, 1948. This is an historical milestone, reader! When the Church began, Israel’s judgment was placed on hold until the Church’s work is done and is removed. Then Israel comes back into the picture, known as Daniels’ 70th week, at the signing of a treaty between the Antichrist and Israel.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Looking at Daniel’s timeline, we see the Antichrist confirming a seven-year deal with Israel to begin the Tribulation. However, halfway through, he will show his true colors by stopping the sacrifices in the Temple. People often point out that there is no Temple in Israel right now, but if God’s Word says it will be there, we can be sure it will be built! The coming wars and judgments will all center on Israel because God is calling them to look upon the One they pierced—Jesus Christ.
The Book of Revelation isn’t a book of mysteries we can’t understand; it’s a record of literal events. I want to warn you against the idea that the Church has replaced Israel. This ‘Replacement Theology’ is a deep-seated error that I was personally taught in my Catholic upbringing, but it contradicts the clear counsel of God. Israel has a unique future, and the Church has hers.
But reader, don’t be alarmed. The Bible says:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
When the Antichrist confirms his covenant with Israel, the world will think it has finally achieved peace. Yet, this very ‘peace’ ushers in the Tribulation and leads to sudden destruction for the unbelieving world. Paul offers us incredible hope by telling us that we are not in the dark. If we were intended to suffer through this period of wrath, Paul’s encouragement would be misplaced. Instead, he continues with these words:
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. ( 8 ) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Consider this: if the Church were destined to endure the horrors of the Tribulation—the plagues, famines, and widespread martyrdom—how could Paul possibly command us to ‘comfort and edify one another’? It would be impossible to find comfort in such a terrifying prospect. Our Groom, Jesus Christ, loves His Bride too much to leave her to face His own wrath. Jesus likened the end times to the days of Noah; just as Noah was safely tucked into the ark before the destruction began, the Church will be sheltered by God. We will be taken to Heaven, only to return at Christ’s side when He destroys the enemy and renews the earth for His Millennial reign. Like Noah, the Church is divinely protected!
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Revelation 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
The Lamb—our Savior and King—has not destined us for judgment. The Apostle Paul makes a clear distinction: God’s wrath is not directed toward the Church, but is reserved for the children of disobedience who have rejected His grace.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Make no mistake: the wrath unleashed during the Tribulation is intended for the world that rejected Christ. Before the Antichrist’s covenant with Israel begins, the Church will be safely removed. Although there will be those who turn to Christ during the Tribulation, they will be required to face the severe judgments falling upon the earth at that time, and millions will be martyred!
As a believer, watching prophecy unfold is thrilling, but I know it can be terrifying if you aren’t ready. If your heart is troubled by the state of the world, know that God has brought you to this page so that you might find the way to salvation. You don’t have to face the coming days alone. Discover how you can have total assurance of your future here: You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
