Every indicator on the prophetic spectrum is at this moment pulsing within the spiritual watchers’ “end-times alert system.” That system is centered in the following words of Christ:

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:37)

And Jesus told us what to “watch” for in the following:

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)

Since the signals the Lord gave (see Matthew 24 and other places) are growing stronger with each news cycle—with the nations in the Middle East, particularly Israel, and those involving Russia and Ukraine portending global war—the instant of Rapture might happen literally at any moment.

I say this because Jesus, as we’ve looked at many times, said things will be going along relatively as usual when He breaks again into human affairs (is “revealed,” as the Scripture puts it in Luke 17:28–30). In other words, there will be no world war or other earth-shattering condition at the time of the Rapture the Apostle Paul prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 4:16–18.

Because all signals that point to this late hour of the Age of Grace are registering with those who truly “watch,” as Jesus commanded, we should warn others about things that might happen once all believers leave the planet. At that time, the Holy Spirit will also leave the earth in His position as the restrainer of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:6–7).

So, this commentary is to give some thought to how things are now that show the lateness of the age, and what is likely to come next.

I must thank here Keith, a frequent emailer who sent his well-studied thoughts about what is now taking place and will likely transpire from the Rapture of the Church forward. Although I would somewhat more temper my own thinking regarding what that future holds, Keith is pretty well on the mark. Here is his scenario as he wrote it, with some slight editing.

Israel and America are the MOST HATED NATIONS at the UN. The UN voted heavily against America and Israel. They hate Israel because the Jews are God’s chosen people that are the proof of His existence. The world hates God. They also hate America because they think it is a CHRISTIAN NATION even though America is no longer Christian. America still has a Christian culture but most are not saved. The world community hates Christ. It is because they hate both branches (Jews and Christians) of God’s chosen people that they hate both Israel and America.

Most of the world’s nations are ruled by leftists and socialists. Only a few countries have conservative leaders. Those are Israel, America, Argentina, and a few other Latin American countries, and a few Eastern European countries (once under Russian dominion in the Cold War; they know the dangers of socialism). But almost all Western European countries, including Britain, are ruled by socialists. They really hate Trump and Netanyahu for resisting their globalist agenda. The main reason America resists the globalists is because of the large Christian population that keeps the pressure on Trump to resist the globalists.

Once God takes America’s Christian population out at the Rapture, the political balance will immediately be flipped. America will suffer the biggest population bite, and will probably lose anywhere from 10% to 25% of its population to the Rapture. Some members of Congress, including House Speaker Mike and other Republicans that are saved will evacuate in the Rapture. Ted Cruz will also evacuate. Both the House and the Senate will lose enough members to flip both the House and the Senate to Democrat. I think Trump (most likely unsaved) will probably be left behind. Since all Democrats in Congress are leftists, they will most all be left behind. That leaves them in control. Donald Trump probably will face immediate impeachment unless he caves to the left after the Rapture. There will be immediate martial law after Rapture. At that time, America’s national debt of $40 trillion will suddenly explode violently. America can’t pay the debt. So the nations of the world will likely INVADE America to SEIZE THE ASSETS from the American people to COLLECT THE DEBT which we cannot pay.

I think the SUDDEN DESTRUCTION that happens will probably be NUCLEAR WAR immediately following the Rapture—where Russia nukes our big liberal cities, which happen to contain the highest concentration of sin (homosexuals, crime, vices, corruption). The world can finally get it revenge on America after Rapture. (Keith, a frequent emailer, who is a dedicated student of Bible prophecy)

As I say, this is my emailer friend’s scenario, based upon his consistent and ongoing observation of news, and with a good knowledge of eschatology from a biblical perspective. I can’t say I agree totally—not that I disagree with things he believes that might happen, but somewhat with specific order of things that will occur, et cetera. For example, his is based upon the Rapture occurring before the Trump administration is completed. (I won’t say the Rapture will happen within the next two years, although I certainly anticipate it could occur before that time.)     

When Christ calls all believers from this planet, there is no way any of us can fully imagine the ramifications. Jesus Himself said it will bleed into the worst time of all human history.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)

The Rapture of all believers from the earth will not be a mere historical incident—if it indeed is scheduled prophetically, as many Christians question or doubt, even those in pastorates around the nation. Be assured by God’s Holy Word: It will happen, and it will be devastating to all left behind, beyond the horrors described above, or even by scenarios presented in my friends Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins’ Left Behind novels about that coming time of judgment and wrath from Heaven.

As mentioned constantly in my articles and books, every child below the age of accountability will instantaneously be in Christ’s holy presence when He makes that shout: “Come up here!” (Revelation 4:1). Just try to imagine the panic and agony that will cause.

If you are among those left behind on earth, you will wish with all that’s within your terrified mind—when the great disappearance takes place—that you had done the following, which God’s Word implores you to do before that event:

That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10: 9-10)