Each day I receive emails—sometimes many—that lament the times we’re in. These include most often the question of how much longer the terrible things going on—the stage being set for the Tribulation—will be allowed to continue. That is, how long will it be before Christ calls believers to Himself in the Rapture?
Many pin their hopes on Old Testament, Jewish holy days and traditions. When these don’t produce the Rapture, they can become quite downhearted. This, despite the fact that some excellent people these days who write and speak on things like the Feast of Trumpets make it clear that these could be times for the Rapture, but that the Rapture won’t necessarily be tied to any such event. These folks, whom I respect greatly, give these Jewish points of interest as showing just how close we must be to God bringing all things to a conclusion. They point to how near the Tribulation and Second Advent of Christ must be, saying we must be even closer the time of the pre-Trib Rapture.
Still some are dejected when these Jewish tradition dates pass and the Rapture hasn’t occurred. It is perceived in such cases as bad news.
And the bad news compiles one report upon another, adding to the sometimes fear-filled angst. The cries grow even louder: When will the Lord get us out of here?!
I suppose this is one way of “looking up” and “watching” as Jesus commanded (Luke 21:28 and Mark 13:37). But it isn’t a healthy “looking up” or “watching,” in terms of maintaining good and proper spiritual health.
And the bad news is indeed daunting. Some of the headlines found most recently in Rapture Ready News are fodder for that angst many Rapture Ready folks are expressing to me.
The Bad News
I Live in Sodom and You Live in Gomorrah
If the Lord were to visit Washington DC, he would find that there were not 50 righteous men, there were not 40 righteous men, not 30, not 20, not even 10 righteous men and just like Sodom and Gomorrah, we will surely be destroyed.
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In Five Years AI Could Be So Advanced It Would Mean the “end of human-dominated history.” Yuval Noah Harari Says
Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of Google DeepMind, and Yuval Noah Harari discussed how advanced AI will be in five years. After hearing Suleyman’s predictions, Harari said: “This is the end of human history. Not the end of history—the end of human-dominated history.” In other words, humans will no longer be the dominant life force on Earth as we have been since time began.
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US Navy: China’s Shipbuilding Capacity Is 232 Times Greater Than US
China’s shipbuilding capacity is 232 times greater than the US, per leaked US Navy intelligence.
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VIDEO LEAK: Arrested Child Trafficker Admits to Boarding School Used as Front for Organ Harvesting Network in Ukraine
In a video confession of a child trafficker who was caught on Ukraine-Slovakian border, the trafficker admits that he had higher involvement in the trafficking of kids from a boarding school in Perechyn, Ukraine.
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SHOCKING INVESTIGATION: The COVID-19 Vaccines Cause a New Form of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Here’s All the Evidence
Here we present a series of strong evidence that the Covid-19 vaccines are causing recipients to develop acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or a novel condition with similar attributes that can only be described as Covid-19 Vaccine Induced Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (VAIDS).
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I could have found much worse news had I wanted to take the time. These are just from one day’s news cycle from Raptureready.com.
Within my own concerns are the growing, satanically inspired assaults on children. I ask myself—as do many others so concerned: How long will this be allowed to continue before God says “Enough!”?
End-times Enlightenment
I believe the messenger who gave Daniel the instruction to “close up the book until the time of the end” was speaking of believers during our present day. We are to be the “wise” who are to “understand” the things taking place that signify the consummation of the age.
Unlike Daniel, who no doubt was for a brief moment disappointed that he would not be allowed to know how things would play out prophetically, we who are living in this late hour of the Age of Grace should joyfully embrace Jesus’ Words: “When you see all these things begin to come to pass…”.
Indeed, we have for quite some time seen these things begin to come to pass. The end-times markers are absolutely stunning in many cases. Those who are watching cannot miss the Good News!
The Good News
My great friend and mentor, the late Dr. Tim LaHaye, in asking different people to participate in writing commentary for the Bible whose publisher he reluctantly allowed to use his name as its title—The Tim LaHaye Prophecy Bible—asked me to write briefly on a particular verse. I believe that, in regard to Christians looking at the future in a healthy way rather than in an unhealthy way filled with fear, the passage I recall being assigned is close to being the perfect perspective from God’s Holy Word:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
This verse is all-encompassing, if we truly consider its meaning.
It tells us that, no matter what, everything we see of an evil nature will ultimately turn out to be used by our God in a way to benefit us. There is no need to worry. Our job is to fulfill the purpose He has assigned each of us.
As the late Charles Stanley always put it: “Obey God no matter what, and leave all the consequences to Him.”
The Best News
The best news, second only to the Good News of the Gospel itself, is that Jesus has promised the Rapture for which we are all prayerfully wishing. Again, His promise is the following:
And when you 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)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I have friends who love the Lord who live in Washington DC so I am none too impressed at one person’s impression of it as you quoted. My friends find it spiritually difficult enough as it is without such comments being given air time.
Sorry I should not have been in such a hurry to close my report but considering Charles Stanley had no problem promoting vaccine jabs, masks, and closing the church’s doors perhaps that was not the best quote of his to use – if any.
By the way how do we know that human beings were the first beings to live on Earth, is it not possible that the angels lived here before God created humans?
I am far less frustrated with those who are eagerly watching and waiting for the Rapture than I am with those who say “Yes, it’s coming but it could be another 10-20, or even 50, years! Just settle down” or who say “Stop talking about it, you sound like a broken record.” You could add similar, discouraging comments to the list I’m sure, but the point is that these people are not truly excited about the Lord’s coming and tell others to “Please carry on and act like normal.”
If you were a child and your father came to you and said “Soon we are going to move into a new home, far away from here, and it is going to be more wonderful than anything you have ever imagined. You will have your own room, and it will be perfect for just you, no one else, and we will all live together with everyone we love, and you will have lots of new and wonderful friends. We will all get along and there will be never be fights or disagreements, and there will be no more crime; there will be absolutely nothing to fear, ever again. Not only that, you will never get hurt there, or get sick and no one will ever die. I will have endless time to spend with you and our family, playing with you, singing over you, teaching you and showing you places and things you can’t even imagine. Plus, we will have a banquet feast to celebrate our new home, and that will last for years!” Naturally you’d ask, when will this happen Daddy? How will I know when it is time to move??? And then your father kindly explained all the signs you should look for in order for you to know that it’s finally time to load the car, that moving day is near. As a child, when you saw every possible sign he gave you, would you be excited?! Would you tell everyone you knew that you were moving soon?! If it was possible, would you tell all your friends and family where you were going and how to get there and how they could live there too?! I know you would.
Now, using this analogy, do you think our Father would be upset with us if we shared this exciting information with others?! Of course not, there is unlimited space for everyone. He wants as many people as possible to join us. As in the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22, He commands us to go into the streets and invite all we meet to His wedding celebration. He understands that the more excited we become, the more likely we are to share His plans with others and ask them to join us.
This is clearly God’s divine plan for humanity. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. He graciously told us what to look for when it was close to time to for our “heavenly move” and we are currently seeing all of those signs to the full. Anyone who tries to discourage us, or silence us, should be ashamed for their lack of faith, or their lack of courage. I suspect many use it as an excuse not to witness the gospel to others.
Certainly, it can be disappointing when the Rapture doesn’t occur as quickly as we’d like, but I don’t know of a single person who has walked away from Jesus because He hasn’t taken us yet. He is our only hope, where else can we go?! He alone holds the keys to eternal life.
I fall into the camp of Christ followers who believe the Rapture is on a date none of us can calculate. I presume it is unrelated to the Jewish calendar because we are the saved Church, not the still-unredeemed-Israel, and therefore no one will figure out the day or hour. If ever Deuteronomy 29:29 applies to anything, the Rapture of the Church is it. It’s simply hidden from our eyes for His own purposes. I’m good with that…we should all be good with that.
When we are in Heaven we will see that the day and hour He chose was perfect beyond human reasoning. Meanwhile, we should not let anyone discourage us, scold us, or throw a wet blanket on our enthusiasm. God doesn’t want that for us, of this I am certain!
He is a Good Father.
Maranatha!
This was a very uplifting post, Robin, something I do believe all of us need. Thank you.
For myself, it reminds me that looking up is crucial for us instead of looking down. We are so fortunate, as believers, to have an unlimited future ahead which will last forever. I have no idea how people who don’t believe get through each day. I mean, for them, what’s the point?
Right now, those of us watching the signs know that it must be very close. Prophets such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others were told about things to come, sometimes centuries ahead of time. Daniel provided insight not only to events soon to come in his own time, but those which have yet to be fulfilled even in ours.
I, too, agree with you that none of us will ever be able to calculate the exact time the Rapture will happen at this time, however, I think those spiritually attuned will get a “heads-up” immediately before it is about to occur even as did Noah and Lot did before their respective events. This would be in full agreement with this:
Amos {3:7} Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
I do believe we will “Get the Word,” either directly from God or from someone who does and passes it along to the rest of us.
Thank you Ed. I wrote this post because I was upset over one I read on Rapture Ready last Sunday, which basically said the opposite, and I was so discouraged and frustrated. Rather than admonish the writer I stepped back, prayed through the day and then wrote this message yesterday.
I agree, there may be some kind of notice of our departure, but it likely will be short. Oh how I pray it’d be long enough for us to reach out to loved ones in a call, or text, to beg them to repent. Even if they didn’t respond before we are taken, it would be a very powerful reminder once the Rapture occurs. More seed planting :).
Since I’m not relying on that advance notice, I’ve bought an automatic dog feeder and set it up. (I don’t believe our pets will be raptured because Jesus died for humans, not animals.) It dispenses exactly the right portions twice each day for my pug. I let him eat it sometimes so he knows it’s ok and he seems to handle the kibble, especially since it is dry food and I normally feed him wet dog food. I keep water in my bathtub so if he’s not found for days he will still have enough water to survive, although he does have an automatic water dispenser that gives him enough water for 3 days. I even let him sleep in my bedroom now instead of crating him at night (as I have done since he was 8 weeks old). He is almost 4 years old now. He can’t figure out all the changes, but he’s not complaining, haha. He loves sleeping on my bed next to me.
If I didn’t believe it was very soon I wouldn’t have implemented these changes. I have Rapture letters, a Rapture kit, Bibles and various other things in my home for whoever comes in when I’m gone. It may not make any difference, and when I’m in Heaven it won’t matter, but it brings a sense of control and comfort to me right now.
I’m not alone in these preparations, clearly the watchmen of the Church know our time is short. Hallelujah!
That was very considerate, setting up provisions for your pet. I never heard of anyone doing that. As to whether there are critters in heaven, I suspect that there might be, Here are two passages that might support it:
Ecclesiastes {3:19} For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all [is] vanity. {3:20} All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. {3:21} Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
As you can see, even wise King Solomon didn’t know for sure.
The next passage, I think is stronger evidence:
Revelation {5:13} And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Since we see “every creature” participating in praising God everywhere, I think that must include life other than humans – namely animals. Apparently, they are given sentience, even as Balaam’s donkey did for a short time in Numbers 22:27-31.
Matter if fact, Terry James and others collaborated on this book which discusses this possibility. It seems he believes that they do. Here is the information on it from the Web:
Do Our Pets Go To Heaven? – Terry James
SKU: S1727
“The authors believe there is a bond between people and their pets that just had to be cemented by supernatural influence–by the Creator–and they’ve included Scripture to back up their contention.”
So, you never know, your pet might just go along with you and I think the answer to this question will soon be forthcoming.
Now, I haven’t “left behind” (pun intended!) anything other than all the conversations I’ve had with people over the decades and a few articles I’d written on this website in the past. Whoever comes into my 53-year old mobile home post Rapture is certainly welcome to whatever they find.
The prospect of seeing Earth recede into the distance certainly is something I look forward to!
Amen Ed, I’m anticipating the day.
I completely agree there will be all of God’s creatures in Heaven. I am just not convinced that our own pets will be taken in the Rapture. I’ve spent a lot of time meditating on the subject, studying scripture, listening to a variety of opinions (and yep, I’ve read Terry’s book) and finally decided the best I could do is to prepare for my Leo still being here, just like I would a family member who might be left behind. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.
See you in the sky, soon!
Hi, Robin. This reply actually landed in the wrong place1 Here it is:
I think you are right to err on the side of caution.
Soon, we will know the answers to our many questions:
1 Corinthians {13:12} For
now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.
Go bless and see you soon!
Well, IF there is a millenial week of years of human history AND a literal future 1000 year kingdom, THEN there can’t be too much time left. It seems logical to assume that death and resurrection of Jesus ended the 4th “day” and ushered in the last 2000 year segment.
I think you are right to err on the side of caution.
Soon, we will know the answers to our many questions:
1 Corinthians {13:12} For
now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.
Go bless and see you soon!
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