To my way of thinking, the next events of end-times importance outlined in God’s Word are front and center at this very moment. Two things are about to be fulfilled that Bible prophecy specifically details for those who “watch,” as commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first on the cusp of fulfillment is encapsulated within a book my friend Pete Garcia and I wrote a few years ago: The DISAPPEARING: Future Events That Will Rock the World is described by the following pulled from its back cover.
Each hour brings troubling headlines from the many news sources now available. Every report seems more intrusive upon our daily lives than the previous, and all accounts appear to be setting the end-time stage for soon fulfillment of God’s prophetic Word…
A dramatic presentation of the Rapture…
Vivid depiction of unfolding events immediately following the Rapture and beyond—through planet earth’s judgment and its ultimate restoration…
My presentation titled, “Rapture Ready,” delivered at the Prophecy Watchers’ conference at Branson, Missouri, on December 7, was meant to cover the reasons believers should be ready for that great event–and why.
That session was devoted to the proposition–the exciting and, yes, the comforting certainty—that all the signals around us today indicate all is in “Rapture readiness.” We who are believers and in God’s eternal family should be “Rapture ready.”
Using Power Point, I tried to make clear what it means to be ready for the Rapture by presenting the following:
- First, being Rapture ready means we who have accepted Jesus Christ are automatically, by default, Rapture ready through salvation—for redemption from sin. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. We will all, without exception, go to Christ when He calls!
- Second, being Rapture ready means we are watching for signals by understanding the times we live in as we anticipate Jesus coming for us. We are expecting the any-moment call of Christ into the clouds of Glory. The Rapture is a salvation issue. We are redeemed by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Believers have a commission to “watch” (as recorded in Mark 13:37). So we know the Holy Spirit will give us a heads-up on the nearness of the end of the age. Those signals are everywhere at present.
- Third, again, we are to be living lives that are righteous in God’s holy eyes as we anticipate Christ’s call. This, too, is being Rapture ready.
Based on all we sense in our spirits–that something profound is about to happen—I am convinced the disappearing is now at the very prophetic moment Paul the apostle foretold:
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:2–6)
As we now watch soberly, with great anticipation of Christ’s call, the signals we are commanded to look for by Jesus are profound.
There is a growing cry for peace in various places where wars and rumors of war are threatening nuclear holocaust. And now the one city on earth–the longest-inhabited in human history, according to historians—is front and center in an unmistakable signal of the lateness of the prophetic hour.
The second matter covered under our article’s title, Damascus, Syria, as we all know from news accounts that proliferate daily with reports of tremendous turmoil in that ancient city, is a powder keg unlike no other possible ignition point for nuclear war outbreak. This city is known to be the headquarters for most every Islamic terrorist organization, to one degree or another.
Russia, in effect, having been evicted from influence by Assad’s removal, means tensions will ratchet up in days to come, with Russia’s Putin suffering yet another embarrassment under the scrutiny of the Russian government underlings hungry for power. His position becomes more and more tenuous.
The great prophet Isaiah’s words seem on the verge of fulfillment:
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17: 1)
A recent statement issued by terrorists who are now taking over that ancient city makes understandable why it is destined to be obliterated, never to rise again. Again, most every terrorist organization headquarters is there, and now they have seized almost total power. Their statement shows why God will allow the destruction that is so complete, I believe: “This is the land of Islam, this is Damascus, the Muslim stronghold. From here to Jerusalem. We’re coming for Jerusalem” (Israel 365 News).
The forcible abdication of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad and the powerful geopolitical turbulence created in its wake should alert every believer to just how near we are to the instant of disappearing. The Apostle Paul fervently told the generation of his day–and we who are now seeing all these things begin to come to pass—about that disappearance, the great rescue Jesus commanded us to look for when His coming for us is at the very door of eternity (Luke 21:28).
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Just so, Terry, just so!
Fulfillment of Jesus’s promise that the world would be just like the Days of Noah and Lot at His return are in front of us, but the world can not see.
Daniel 12:10 “Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.” We see the signs as clearly as an oncoming freight train, 25 yards down the track, blowing its whistle non-stop, but the world does not see.
While the global tide seems to be turning toward conservatism, lawfulness and a desire for ‘normal conditions,’ what people do not understand is this: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12. This is not a Left/Right issue, it is the ultimate battle for the soul of humanity, and to defeat Satan and his evil followers in the heavenlies, and here on earth.
It is my opinion that the Lord is giving people one last opportunity to turn to Him now, before the greatest judgment in human history falls. It is troubling to hear people in our nation crow about the future as being brighter and better than it has ever been. This is a LIE! It is all deception, we are in the eye of the storm.
Instead, everyone should be in thoughtful repentance and prayer, sharing the gospel and letting people know how close we are to the Lord’s return; certainly not celebrating and making plans for bigger and better barns.
We must give glory to God and celebrate the grace and salvation He provides, along with seeking righteousness and sharing the gospel because this opportunity is only for a short while!!!
Our seeming reprieve from the coming explosion of outright evil is Jesus’s lifeboat, mercifully provided to rescue more Believers from the Tribulation.
A convergence of all of the Lord’s signs are here and the cup of His return is overflowing.
Maranatha!
Seems to me that Damascus could either self-destruct in an internal conflict between all the bad guys now assembled there or that if it does stabilize under one group, probably the HTS, it is just a matter of time before its expressed peaceful intentions go south.
This puts Israel once again in Syrian crosshairs. An attack on Israel could result in Israel taking Damascus out totally, just as the Bible says must happen.
Of course, we don’t know the specifics, only the results: Damascus ceased to exist.
Its extinction is only a matter of time.
Anyone who believes the new leadership of Syria has peaceful intentions is delusional to the nth degree. ISIS terrorists don’t own a scintilla of truth, nor can peace from them be found; not even when they trim their beards, clean up and put on suits. In no way can they be trusted.
Islam in all of its forms must be Satan’s favorite false religion. It’s founded on lies, violence, destruction, hypocrisy, poverty and oppression for the vast majority of its members, sexual perversion, fear, ignorance, and confusion. It will be a glorious day indeed when the Lord destroys that ‘religion.’
What has just happened in Syria has moved us closer to the Rapture, of that I’m certain.
You are absolutely right, Robin.
When it first started and Mohammad didn’t have the ability to fight, it sought to avoid conflict. As it gained in strength, its true militaristic nature came out and this has continued right up to the present. When we see outbreaks of violence against “infidels,” it comes from those who are true practitioners and only when they figure they can get away with it. Otherwise, they are willing to use the “system” to legally gain power. Once they do, they’ll do whatever they have to to stay in power.
at out the hard way decades ago and no one else has learned from its misfortune.
I suggest reading “Because They Hate” by Brigitte Gabriel who lived through this very thing.
Of course, this truth doesn’t set well with the narratives today, but Europe is now finding this to be true as its culture gets overwhelmed.
Hi, Robin.
Some of the text got dropped from my comment. Here it is in its entirety:
Lebanon found out the hard way decades ago and no one else has learned from its misfortune.
I suggest reading “Because They Hate” by Brigitte Gabriel who lived through this very thing.
Come LORD Jesus, come.