Luke 21:28 – “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
1 Corinthians 16:22 – “If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!”
Yesterday I received the following email “Hey brother, I’m sure you’ve seen all of references to Sept 23, 2017 and Revelation 12 prophecy fulfilled. I wanted to get your take on it.” It had the following link to a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn_l2yS6H2o
The above video is about thirty-five minutes long. It is filled with much information. I know that not everyone will set that time aside to watch the video. I’m not saying that you must. However if you want to know what is buzzing, check out the video. Also, it will give much insight to what this email is about.
Below is and excerpt from my response to my Brother:
Hello Brother,
My take. Interesting. Exciting. Something to be aware of and to look forward to. But it doesn’t change how we are to live, unless it means to remember to be busy doing what is most important. Not stop living our lives, but to make sure our priorities are right and that we are ready to go. And that everyone else is ready too. Could the rapture happen? Yes. Could it happen today? Yes. We are supposed to live lives expecting the imminent return.
Some people think that the USA is not mentioned in the end times. Others think it is. If it is not, mentioned then how can that be because of our nation being so powerful. The answer, some say, is that because our nation is not powerful anymore (During the End Times) it has either declined or been taken out. One option in the video is war. If Israel is attacked, it would seem a strong likelihood that we will also be. The Word says that Israel will be protected. That a world leader will step in place. If a nuclear exchange takes place and the US is nuked by combined enemies, and the Middle East is raging in war, then it would be a good time for a world leader to make peace in the Middle East. That peacemaker could very well be the Antichrist. If, maybe, could be. We need to make sure we are loving and serving the Lord with all that we are. That’s my take.
Love you brother! Stay excited, our Lord is coming soon.
Every reputable preacher / teacher of the Bible, that I know of, believes that all of the End Time prophecies that must be fulfilled before the return of Jesus, have already been fulfilled. All. So that means that Jesus could return today, or on the 9/23, or 9/24, or any other imminent day. What I believe is that He is coming soon. Very soon. But I make no predictions.
The Bible says for us to be ready. Read the 21st chapter of Luke. Jesus was teaching His disciples about the Last Days before He would return. You will notice that what happens with Israel is the biggest clue. He goes on to say that, in the end times, many deceivers will come saying they represent Him. Yes, we see plenty of those. He says that before His return many wars will happen and be happening, and be rumored to be happening. These are all preliminary signs. Jesus states that war will happen, also earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful events and signs from the heavens (astronomical?). Jesus also tells that the world will rise up against Christians. Any Christian with His head not in the sand has seen in recent years the rise up against Christianity in government. Many hate Christianity and what it stands for. Christians will be put into prison, and even killed for their faith (More and more even in countries once considered Christian the animosity against Christianity rises.) Jesus said to watch Jerusalem as the nations around it, and of the world, turn against it. (Wow, that has gone up greatly in the last years, though it has always been persecuted.) Jesus said that the End Times days will be very evil and even pregnant women and nursing mother will be in great jeopardy, even singled out by evil. The world will be in turmoil and nations will fall. Jerusalem will be trampled by gentiles (True today). There will be powerful signs in the sky (Check out the video, or even what scientists who are non-believers are saying.) It is when the earth is in its greatest peril that Jesus will come back. That is when those who are the earth and who follow Jesus will lift up our heads and be happy. While others are terrified and suffering because the world seems to be coming to a fast end, all these are signs that Jesus is coming to save us. He is coming to save us and to bring judgement on a world that largely does not believe. Remember, it is not me saying this things, it is Jesus who has said so. Jesus has said it, I believe it.
Jesus warns us to look at the fig tree (a type for Israel) to know the times. Jesus said that it is during the times that He is describing that He will come back.
Jesus said to not be living a life of sin and rebellion, but to be living a life wholly given to Him. Jesus calls us to be reading the signs given in the Bible and to be ready for His return. Family, nothing in or on this earth is our great hope. Only Jesus is the hope of all mankind. Only belonging to Him matters. That is Biblical. Jesus warns all to be following and watching for Him.
Think of the many evils that have happened, and are happening on the earth. Truly much evil is happening. Yet, the Last Days, culminating in the seven years of tribulation, will be the worse days in the history of mankind. Very horrifying for so many reasons. Yet, Christians have nothing to fear, the Lord is calling us home. He is coming for us. The time is soon. When, well, we shall see.
Okay there are many who will scoff at the video and who would scoff at what is written here. Well, even they are proof of the imminent return of the Lord as we read in 2 Peter 3:3-4 “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” So scoffers are only confirmation of our day. Of these scoffers, none of them should be Christians. The Christians should be aware and anxiously awaiting the return of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 16:22 -“If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!” The Bible calls people to come to be saved through Jesus. At the end, the time for mercy will have passed and it will be a time of judgement. The judgement is simple. Have Jesus, live forever in peace and love with Him. Don’t have Jesus, then these are cursed and forever burn in the lake of fire. Don’t like these words? Those who don’t like these words oppose what is clearly written in the Bible. God is not condemning people who reject Jesus, it is they who have rejected Him (John 3:18). People who have rejected Jesus have chosen to stay condemned rather than be redeemed by Jesus unto God.
This verse in Corinthians is one of anathema to the unbeliever. But to those who have believed, this verse is a cry of great hope! The cry is “Come Lord!” The cry is “Come soon! We have craved Your coming and now You’re here. Yes, Come Lord Jesus, please come now.” This is the call of the redeemed. We have nothing to fear. We are His. He is coming in love for us. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.