Isaiah 5:20 really has become significant in just the last ten to fifteen years. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” With all the new secular attitudes toward what is normal as given by all the alphabet groups, and the trend of starting with the very young in proclaiming new gender-determining ideas, this world is rapidly approaching the “Midnight Hour.” There is a symbolic clock that when it strikes midnight, this present era will end, and a whole new world will emerge. Tragically, it will be a terrible 7-year tribulation-filled world. (ESV – all emphasis mine)
One reason the United States was formed was because of religious persecution in Europe, and people came to this land to establish “Freedom Of Religion.” The main concept was that people would be free to worship however they personally believed or even not to worship if they chose not to do so. As long as no one “forced” their beliefs on anyone else, the system was mostly successful.
There was a dark period of time from 1692-1693 in Massachusetts where some people were accused of following Satan and practicing evil witchcraft. The accused were mostly women, but there were some men also. Over 200 were accused, and 20 were actually executed. Although the trials were declared unlawful in 1702, it wasn’t until 1711 that a bill was passed restoring the “rights” of those unlawfully accused. It took until 1957 for the Commonwealth to formally apologize for the 1692-1693 events. (source Wikipedia)
Just as a follow-up, the Bill of Rights was created on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791. They were supplements to the Constitution of the United States. The first of the 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, and the last was Rhode Island on May 29, 1790.
With all of this history in mind, could you just imagine how difficult it would be in our country today to establish a new Constitution and Bill of Rights? There would be no trials for witchcraft, as the open worship of Satan has come to light within just the past decade or so. Imagine the mass hysteria in the colonial days if a “church of Satan” were to appear. Today, they are in numerous places around the country, and hardly anyone raises an eyebrow.
On the other hand, to mention Jesus or speak on Christianity, we hear cries of “freedom From religion,” and Christians are the ones called the “haters.”
Matthew 24:10-12; “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Then Matthew 24:23-24; “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
Paul gives very specific attitudes and traits that will be present in the last days, and they are found listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. To some degree, all that are listed have been around all along, but not nearly to the extent as today. The changes became more severe a few years ago, and the intensity is increasing almost daily. It has become a time where, as Isaiah said, “evil has become good, and good has become evil.”
In some places in the United States, children are being programmed in schools with all the new age junk, and mostly without the parent’s knowledge or consent. In some countries, children can be removed from their parents, and the parents can actually face jail time for objecting.
Jesus gave signs in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 as to what would be taking place just prior to His return. Much of this refers to the seven-year tribulation, but before that can officially start, an event known as the Harpazo, Rapture, or Taking up of all true believers must occur to keep us from the wrath. He told us that when all these signs begin to take place, He will be coming for His flock soon (Luke 21:28).
Titus 1:2 tells us specifically that God does not lie, and why would He? After all, He’s the Creator and could rule us in any way He would see fit. However, we are blessed with a Father that truly loves each and every one of us, and just for receiving and accepting the free gift that His Son gave us, He is willing to give us a forever home with Him.
The scriptures about the Rapture are 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. God’s promise to keep us from the wrath, or tribulation, is in 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10. The simple steps to Salvation are in Romans 10:9-13. Should anyone believe we are already in the tribulation, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 tells us that the antichrist must appear for the wrath to officially begin, but the Restrainer must be removed first. That Restrainer would be the Holy Spirit, and if He is taken out of the way, all that He indwells must be removed also.
One day, nearly 2,000 years ago, our Lord and Savior, Jesus, one-third of the Holy Trinity, allowed Himself to be sacrificed for our sins. My sins. Three days later, He arose from the dead so that our free gift would be complete. The absolute promise we are given is, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
One day soon, He will return to gather His flock, and we will be given immortal, imperishable forever bodies and a mindset that will be free from all temptation. Everything has been done that was prophesied, so the next main event is the Rapture.
In 1908, J. Wilburn Chapman wrote “One Day,” and the final verse is 2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His Heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen.”
1.) One day when Heaven was filled with His praises, one day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin; dwelt among men, my example is He.
Ref.) Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely, forever. One Day He’s Coming – O Glorious Day.
2.) One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain; one day they nailed Him to die on the tree. Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He.
3.) One day they left Him alone in the garden; one day He rested, from suffering free. Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil; Hope of the Hopeless, my Savior is He.
4.) One day the grave could conceal Him no longer; one day the stone rolled away from the door. Then He arose, over death He had conquered; now is ascended my Lord evermore.
5.) One day the trumpet will sound for His coming; one day the skies with His glory will shine. Wonderful Day, my beloved ones bringing; Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
This hymn has been recorded by numerous artists and can be found on YouTube.
For any who have not received and accepted the gift of our Precious Lord and Savior, today would not be too early to do so. We don’t know the day, hour, minute, or even second that the Trumpet of God will sound and the shout from the archangel takes place. All who have become a part of His flock will rise up to meet Him in the air – the dead in Christ first, then those who are still alive at the call.
All who refuse the gift and therefore refuse to accept God’s Son as Savior will have a place waiting in line at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. From there, they will be thrown into the lake of fire that will be occupied by Satan and all his demons. That is also final and forever.
Our Father has left the choice up to each and every person to make. No one has sinned so greatly that the Blood of Jesus cannot cover them. This is the absolute most important decision you will ever make, and please choose wisely. Choose Life!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus