The end of the church age

I am going to attempt to try and explain in layman's terms why I believe with utmost certainty based upon biblical knowledge, that we are close to the rapture of the church and the return of Jesus Christ. To quote scripture I will start with Daniel 12:4 which reads.. But thou O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Those who studied bible prophecy in the past did so in the dark. Not much light was shed on the subject because God's prophetic word at that time had not begun to unfold. The angel told Daniel that the book would remain closed until the time of the end. The catholic church then the reformation church had a callous disregard for prophecy to infect the body of Christ. Maybe it was intellectual and spiritual laziness. Maybe God must have wanted it this way. However I believe the angel telling Daniel to shut up the book until the time of the end is very significant. God caused the book of understanding to be closed so they wouldn’t comprehend.

Signals that we are in the end times are moving at a profound pace, and sometimes it can be difficult even if you watch diligently to fully gather and understand Bible prophecy as it is occurring.I think therefore as Christians it is important to understand and discern the sign of the times.

 If by chance you are reading this following the disappearance of millions, then the rapture of all believers in Jesus Christ, has most likely taken place. Those who are watching post rapture will be able to look at history and consider whether God's word is true, about end-time matters.

If you are reading following the rapture, you are likely in the early stages of the 7 year tribulation period which will bring about the return of Jesus Christ to planet earth.

There are no prophecies to be fulfilled for the rapture to occur. We are going to look at specific events scheduled to unfold very shortly.

Let us first start with Israel. Israel is once again a nation in its ancient homeland and with its ancient language. I believe the use of the Hebrew language is also a fulfilment of prophecy. Israel has to be back in the land for the final prophecies to roll out or unfold. Israel and the Jews are at the very heart of bible prophecy and the end times. The most important prophecy is that Jesus the messiah who is Lord of Lord's and King of King's will set his throne atop Zion once he returns. This will be a dramatic and topographically changed mount Moriah, With Christ's millennial temple set high above the city of Jerusalem.

But before all this happens Israel will have to endure a time referred to as Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) Jesus himself said this is going to be worst time ever for the people of Israel, and the whole world. In Matthew 24:21 it states For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be. God also spoke through his prophet Jeremiah that there would be an Israel and a Jerusalem during the tribulation period.. In Zechariah 12: 3 it says And it that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people, and all that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered against it.

Israel is always in the news and is the centre of attention. It has so much scorn and hate from its neighbours. This is why the region has the greatest threat of nuclear annihilation. The bible foretells that it will host the most horrific conflict of human history. (Armageddon)

So with Israel back in the land which is a fulfilment of prophecy, let us look at how the fulfilment of end times will unfold. The rapture some say is not in the bible. And they are right the actual word rapture does not appear. It is just a modern word for describing what the original Greek calls the ha Harpazo. It means caught up, or catch away. Which describes the rapture very well. According to Jesus Christians are told to watch. They should be aware of the things around them. Also the bible says that at the time of the rapture it will be business as usual. It will be like the days of Noah and Lot. The world in general will be unaware about what is to happen. It will be a catastrophic intervention according to Jesus. Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. It will be a catastrophic event. Jesus will step out of the clouds and say. Rev 4:1-2 says Come up here. All those on earth who are born-again believers in the blood atonement will instantly be with Jesus. ( read 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.) Can you just imagine that, millions of people will disappear from the planet. Those left behind will be astonished. Those who have gone to be with the lord, will be in heaven where God has prepared a place for them. Jesus himself said in John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, that where I am you will be also. Believers will be given rewards for their service to the Lord while on the earth There in heaven the marriage supper of the lamb will take place Rev 19:9 Meanwhile things on planet earth will be gearing up for the great end time storm. According to 2 Thessalonians the holy spirit or restrainer will be removed also from planet earth. The holy spirit that lives inside each and every believer will no longer be present on the earth. It is then that the tribulation begins. With God's servants safely out of the way. God will wage war against the Devil and his angels. The 7 year tribulation will then begin.

It is during this time that the Anti-Christ will make his appearance on the world stage. Exactly where he will come from is a huge controversy. There are many convincing theories about who he is and where he will come from. One thing we do know is that he will make himself known through signs and wonders. He will be charismatic and charming, and will convince the nations that he is just what they need.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-11 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.

After the 7 year tribulation it is then that Jesus Christ will return to the earth. This will be what is referred to as the second coming. Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they which also pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail, because of him. Even so, Amen!

The second coming will be visible to everyone on the earth. Unlike the rapture which will go unseen to the non-believer. Zechariah 2:10-11 says this

Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.’” In that future day Scripture declares that Christ will claim the Holy Land as His own. Zechariah says, “The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. The Jewish nation will finally recognise Jesus as the Messiah. For thousands of years the Jewish nation has suffered unbelievable persecution. They rejected Jesus Christ of Nazereth. But the Bible promises that at his second coming they will finally recognise him. Amen!.

The Scriptures also speak of a general judgement of the nations, or the Gentiles (Matt. 25:31-46). This is a judgement of Gentiles living in the world at the time of the second coming of Christ who have survived the Great Tribulation. Those counted worthy are described as sheep, and they will be eligible to enter the millennial kingdom. Those who are counted unworthy, designated as goats, are put to death.

The Bible tells us we are to watch and be ready for his return. To the world he will come as a thief in the night, but to those who are looking for him it will not be such a surprise. In the meantime we must  preach the gospel to every nation. The world needs to be warned of the events about to take place on planet earth.

There is so much more that i could write about, but i hope this gives you some idea of the times we live in.

Revelation 22: he which testifieth these things saith, Surely i come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.