I wrote a series of articles with the title “Scanning a Fearful Future” at the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011. The ten-article series involved the fears people were expressing through emails. Almost all emails involved great anxiety over what well-known secular and Bible prophecy pundits were predicting for the immediate future.
The pundits were saying that the U.S. and world economy would collapse at any moment and America would no longer be the America as we’ve known it. There would be the development of a police state and tremendous, martyr-like persecution for Christians. I wrote in that series of articles that no such world-rending catastrophe would occur prior to the Rapture of the Church (all born-again believers). The Holy Spirit, I’m convinced with all that is within my spirit, led me to this conviction, based upon Bible truth.
I believed–and wrote–that such a world-rending cataclysm was indeed going to occur. The world’s economic disposition was (and remains) in a most precarious status. But, the Lord was telling me in my spirit–based on my prayer and study of Bible prophecy–that no man-made crisis or action would bring America or the world into complete collapse. My conclusion–totally scripturally based–was that it would be the Lord, Himself, who will bring the world system into chaos with Christ’s catastrophic intervention via the Rapture.
This finding was carried through in my writing of Rapture Ready…Or Not: 15 Reasons This Is the Generation That Will Be Left Behind. Amazon Link
Therein I put excerpts of the series of articles, and gave reasons for why I believe my conclusions to be validated.
Bottom line to report as of this writing is that my conclusion reached remains validated. We are now at a point almost 9 years later, and the world has not collapsed as the pundits predicted for 2011 or 2012. Yet, the situation has worsened, not gotten better in every direction one looks on the geopolitical, socioeconomic, religious, and geophysical landscapes. Evil men and seducers have gotten worse and worse, just as the apostle Paul prophesied. The apostle’s forewarning of perilous times (2 Timothy 3) is coming to pass before our eyes daily.
But, God’s staying hand of control remains upon this reeling, dangerous world of growing godlessness. Planet earth will obviously stay on its course of destruction, but the end is not yet.
With all that said, there is at present a fearfulness such as I haven’t sensed, not even in those days the pundits were predicting any-moment world economic collapse in 2010 and 2011. Christians are worried–almost frantic in some cases–looking after things that seem about ready to come down upon their lives. The trepidation in the emails is more pronounced even than in those days those years ago–yet the world and life in the U.S. goes on pretty much as normal for these times of this increasing debauchery and societal upheaval.
The coming 2020 presidential election season contributes mightily to the trepidation, I have no doubt. Another four or eight years of the sort of deliberate dismantling of the American republic that we suffered under the Obama Administration would, people fear, end in total loss of religious liberty at best, and of personal freedom of every sort at worst.
Looking at all of this from the humanistic perspective, the reasons for fear, even panic, seem justified. But, for the Christian who has the mind of Christ at the center of their spiritual reasoning, there is a far different mindset that is available. I was listening to Dr. Charles Stanley present his message that touched on the topic of fear and upon such spiritual reasoning. He gave the following passage from the book of Isaiah. I find it most comforting and reassuring.
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:9-13)
It is true that these words were given in this instance to Israel. But, the Lord of Heaven changes not. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those who are in God’s family can rely on His promises–which are ours totally and forever, no matter the period in history in which we live.
The world has not collapsed. God is still on the throne. Prayer changes things, just as His Word tells us.
For those who don’t know Christ for salvation the future is indeed bleak. It is fearful–frightful beyond all imagination. But for the Christian alive at the end of the age–this Age of Grace–we are to, when we see all these portentous developments begin to come to pass, lift up our heads and look to Jesus. His coming for His Bride is about to take place (Luke 21:28).
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Thank you for this encouraging article. I listen to Dr. Charles Stanley as well. He is my church pastor online for lack of Biblical teaching in my area.
I have also just watched Pastor Amir Tsarfati’s The Restrainer video. In the last 10 mins he explained that The Restrainer Holy Spirit in Believers is restraining not evil like I was taught and then questioned God as to why evil is multiplying, but He is restraining the Judgment coming to the godless of the whole world to happen in the Tribulation. I also read a recent article by the ignorant fisherman recommended by Jan Markell of Olivetreeviews min.
This article said that in the first half of the Tribulation the Jews are protected from judgment then judgment comes to them as Jacob’s Trouble in the last half. Is this what the Bible teaches? Do you listen to Jan Markell’s radiobroadcastseach Saturday? She is on over 80 radio stations and interviews pastors on end times Biblical events.
Thank you. I needed that reminder.
I do believe that we will one day regret that we did not trust the Lord more completely. This is our opportunity to exercise faith and trust in God – as we see the Day approaching. Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, –” Luke 12:32a. If He says, “Do not fear” – then I must trust and obey Him. Forget looming world-events . . . things may collapse in your own little world at any time – but DO NOT FEAR. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Terry, you have written well. Christians, be ready. You do not know the number of your days. A fixed gaze on Jesus – will chase your fears. BE READY.
Terry, as usual, you are Right On ! While my heart hurts to see people suffer for various situations……inwardly, I am at peace and can smile. Closer and closer we get to being taken Home. You have the anointed gift as an Encourager, Terry.
Carol Cole
I can feel the Bridegroom in my Spirit. A soft breeze of a cloud is forming. Praise and Glory to the Father.:)
Yes, you are right: the total collapse will be brought on by God. ( read Revelation the Fair God).
Thank you Terry, I believe your conclusions are
bible based, although I have never read your
book, “Rapture ready or not”. What you present
scripturally, is sound. I believe the rapture of the
church rev 4:1 will be the catalyst for the end time
catastrophes that the world will face. Isaiah
41:9-13 was given to Israel, but they transcend to
the church as well, just as you have said. We have
a loving caring God and Jesus is the author and
finisher of our faith, Heb 12:2
John 10:27-29 (KJV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall
never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out
of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than
all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my
Father’s hand.
No need to fear, we can all be 100% assured that
God will never abandon us, not one.
God bless Terry
Absolute truth! Thanks be to our Lord, Jesus Christ for such prophets as Terry, Hal Lindsey,David Reagan and Perry Stone. Keep looking up and pass the good news on to others who are not saved as the Lord commissioned us to do.
Thank you Anthony God bless
I live everyday for that blessed hope of Christ calling us to come up! I am old now, and always hoped I’d be alive to go up in the twinkling of a eye! That’s all we have to keep us from going insane in this evil world now. God Bless us all, and thank you Terry James for your messages to keep us going!
I hate to see the world the direction it is going, especially our country. Also, you look at the weather that plagues our country. Though I hate to see these things, I know that means the Lord is even closer to His return. I am not fearful, as I trust Him, just sorry for those who don’t believe and mock or don’t want to listen. Deception is rampant, just look at the left leaning leaders alone, in the USA. I keep praying and shining my light while I can. If we are saddened or angry about things, how much more is He who is all seeing and sees things I have no idea are going on? And the Bible talks about a point where things will get worse….labor pains. Maranatha!
Hi Michael,
The rapture is not the catalyst: God does not need a catalyst; He is the originator by excellence.
He takes us, true believers, out because the tribulations are called the Time of Testing. That is to say: the time of the hard probe for all in regard to their eternal choice of heart. They will either be branded for the Anti-Christ or be beheaded. This is the time for the gleanings after the main harvest. We are the time of the harvest.
Jesus will pick up the beheaded ones who had belatedly looked up to Him and turned down the Devil’s offer. Not one of those will be left behind by the time this process is finished.
God removes us before this Time of Testing because we already are His; we have voluntarily come to Him therefore we do not need to be tested on the matter.
In very short order after we are lifted:
He removes peace as revealed by the second seal (His Spirit has gone up to Him with us). The restrainer will be gone and all the basest depravities of the sinful heart will run amok… it will be awful.
And, God removes his generous subsidies from the world as revealed by the third seal. No crop has ever grown because of man’s effort and initiative; but only by God’s generous sustenance (He sends rain on the fields of the righteous and the unrighteous). This abundant provision will abruptly end the day we are taken up. All that will be left is what was already harvested before that day. (The grinding mill will be silent from then on…) The Anti-Christ will miserly mete out this existing supply to those who accept his mark… but that will never be enough to satisfy. When God does pulls his generous hand; satisfaction goes out. No one will be satisfied anymore.
The earth and those living on it will be blessed again when Jesus reigns for the 1,000 years promised the Jews.
For what it is worth,
PL
One more thing: the world system is and has always been parasitizing
on God’s provision. The world system has not produced, nor maintained life, even though is conceitedly clamors so.
No human system or institution is able to cope with both the removal of peace and the abrupt end of God’s generous hand in providing for man. This is the BIG crash. Man does not engineers this crash. God makes it happen.
As long as God’s hand is sustaining those who inhabit the earth and restrains the killing desires of the human heart; the enemy cannot fully implement his plan.
Hallelujah!
Hi Pierre,
The rapture of the church most certainly is the
catalyst that’s needed in order to end the church
age, the dispensation in which we live. In fact, this
catalyst (the rapture) is critical, without it,the book
of revelation could not proceed. The event (the
rapture) is orchestrated by God in Rev 4:1.
Revelation 4:1 (KJV)
4 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was
opened in heaven: and the first voice which I
heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with
me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew
thee things which must be hereafter.
Hereafter what?….The rapture of the church!
The church is not taken to heaven because the
tribulation will be called “the time of testing “.
Revelation 3:10 (KJV)
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from the hour
of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The church is raptured because we have kept
the word, we have believed, we are promised
that we will be delivered from the wrath of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV)
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he
raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered
us from the wrath to come.
Titus 2:13 (KJV)
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ;
That hope my friend is the rapture of the church,
orchestrated by our great God and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Critical to end Gods plan for the church age,
save the Jews in the tribulation age, while pouring
his wrath on a god rejecting world, who follows after
the anti-christ. With spectacular results, the church
is raptured and the Jews are saved!
Jeremiah 31:33 (KJV)
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel; After those days, saith
the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts,
and write it in their hearts; and will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
God bless Pierre.
Thank you Michael,
Pierre-Louis
God bless Pierre.