These troubled days, one question burns at the center of every believer who adheres to the pre-Trib view of the Rapture. I’ve heard it many times through personal conversation and email ”How long will it be until the Lord says ‘enough is enough’ and calls us home?”
I’ve asked it myself on more than one occasion. But I’ve long since put the question somewhere closer to the back of my thinking. The reason, I suspect, is because I’ve finally got it through my hard head that our Lord wants me to prioritize efforts toward completion of the assignment He has given me while in this life.
Heaven’s bottom line is that I wouldn’t be here during these increasingly troubled times if there is no purpose, according to my Creator. Knowing that He has promised to take us to our homes He has been preparing for us is a comforting truth He’s expressed numerous times in His Holy Word. The more firmly we trust Him to keep that promise, the greater the comfort. Now is the time to trust and get on down that pathway He wants us to follow.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
All that said, there is certainly justification, in my view, for the angst-ridden question: How long, oh Lord? How long will believers have to be subjected to the proliferating end-times evil assaulting society and culture? When will God say “enough is enough” and have His Son step out on the clouds of glory and shout “Come up here!”?
Jesus, while speaking to His immediate disciples on the Mount of Olives, gave the very first indicator to look for that would lead to all other signals of His Second Advent. He said that there would be great deception and many deceivers on the scene at the end of the age. The cumulative indicators of His Second Coming, he addressed a little later in His discourse.
And when ye shall see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)
Can anyone legitimately deny that we have in recent months and years witnessed deception that is in our faces during every news broadcast, podcast, or electronic and print forum? The mainstream media, both news and entertainment, have been purveyors of their special brand of this indicator. Deception and deceivers pervade and permeate our lives each and every news cycle.
The former president who just left office properly termed the deceptive practices of journalists “fake news.” Paul the apostle said the following of such that will be prevalent as the Lord’s return nears:
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13, NKJV)
With the daily diatribes by all the mainstream media that consistently lied, thus brought to the office of president a candidate many consider an imposter because of what they believe to be election fraud, the New King James version certainly seems to fit. Deception of the sort Jesus and Paul pronounced upon the end-times generation seems quite appropriate.
Jesus’ words that times would be just like in the days of Noah and of Lot make it seem to many prophecy watchers as if He was speaking specifically of these very days that make us ask: “How long, oh Lord?”
Observing the anger and destruction of the thugs who burned down much of America’s cities during 2020 brings into sharp focus the words in Genesis chapter 6: “violence filled the whole earth.” Assessing the state of our nation and the world in the matter of the satanic forces normalizing what was a few years ago aberrant sexual behavior and deviancy quickly brings realization that the days of Lot prophesied by the Lord Jesus are quite likely the days we’re currently living in.
At last count, there are twenty-seven nations where gay marriage is legal. The Sodom level of sexual immorality and deviancy has just in recent years reached a zenith. Gay rights and all attendant to the perversions it has wrought, such as transgenderism, have torn apart society and culture and done irreparable harm to foundational morality. The youth of America and the world have been victim of inculcation by Sodom-like organizations such as the LBGQTI. The family and its traditional stability have been vitally diminished.
Every day, believers who are paying attention and have the truth of Christ’s words in their spiritual hearts say, “How long, oh Lord?” We’re wise to read again and again the words by our Lord while thinking on this question we’re are asking.
I know all the arguments from those who hold vehemently to the seminary line about the Olivet Discourse being for the Jews only, so don’t write hotly accusing me of misinterpreting these words recorded here. I believe the fig tree here refers to Israel. I believe Jesus is speaking of His next catastrophic intervention into mankind’s evil history–the Rapture. I believe He addresses to some extent the answer to our question of “how long?”.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:32–36)
Be assured and comforted! Our Lord’s words in Luke 21:28 are almost certainly for this generation!
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Amen.
Yes Terry it certainly is not long now however we, like you, will be seeking to follow Jude 22 whilst looking up Titus 2 v13.
So many days, as I pray and hope for the salvation of the lost, I personally confess, . . . my heart cries out, “Oh, LORD, How much longer. . .?” Everywhere I look outside of my small uneventful, but God protected life, I see “The days of Noah” and so much blatant acceptance of the murdering of babies and “The Sodom and Gomorrah” lifestyles on every channel of TV and in every institution of the fabric of America. The longer I live, the more & more narrow, my path becomes. All the glory and thanks be to God! There are so many of the Scriptures, about the lost and dying that cause me great sadness. Matthew 7:13-14 causes me to wonder, if praying for the lost even matters. The Holy Spirit brings to my mind and heart often, . . .”Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”. . . FEW WHO FIND IT. . . that is so very sad! I praise You LORD, for allowing me to hear Your voice, to know and understand, to enter in by the narrow gate, In Christ Jesus!!! Amen! . . . . . I remain waiting to hear His call to “Come Up Here” Maranatha! Perhaps today!
This does not exactly pertain to how long we’ll be here, but it might give us a clue:
Romans {11:25} For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
When Israel rejected Jesus, God turned the focus of his attention on the church (true believers). This is not to say he ever abandoned Israel – it’s very existence as a nation again is strong evidence of that.
Once he takes his church away, he’ll direct his attention back on Israel because they have crucial role to play in the post -Tribulation world during the Millennium (Isaiah 2:1-5; Zechariah 8:23).
I think the answer is that once that full count of believers has been reached, that’s when the Rapture will occur.
The emphasis now needs to be on Christians preparing themselves for increasingly difficult times, both in a spiritual and physical/practical sense. This means staying in the Word, memorizing scripture, meeting together and encouraging one another, putting on the full armor of God (Eph. 6), focusing on exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23),and stocking up on basic leaving essentials.
Amen brother Terry! I believe the rapture is the next big prophetic event to take place and we are the generation – Matthew 24:32-35 –
Yes. In an instant we will leave Planet Earth and be in the eternal existence of God! That also means that young people who have put their faith and trust in our Savior, will not be growing up in this life! Let that sink in!
We need to be about the work God has given us knowing His appearance is very soon. I need to pray for my grandchildren and tell others even if they don’t listen. Then when I least expect it, it will be time. I trust Jesus with the timing and I will be about my Father’s business.
The Lord is exceedingly patient, not wanting any to perish; however, that is hard for so many of us to tolerate. We ar tired, distressed, and out of courage, and we must bathe ourselves in His Word for refreshment as the garbage news swirls around us. He is still drawing many little ones to Himself. When the Lord says all is finished, He will come for us. Until then, we ride on a bumpy road.
Every morning I remind Jesus that my wife and I are free for lunch. (Just in the event He’s having some people up for a special event.)