There are far too many people today, not only in America but worldwide, that have turned or are turning away from the Lord God Jehovah. When speaking of the times that will signal the end of this age, Jesus said in 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.” (any emphasis mine)

He is talking mostly about the 7-year Tribulation period, but in Luke 21:28, we can take this as a pre-rapture sign. He says; “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (ESV). Matthew 24:36, NKJV; “But of that day and hour, no one knows; not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son except the Father only.” The signs began several years ago, and we are definitely at that point today.

At the time Jesus spoke these words, He was fully in human form and had allowed Himself to become completely controlled by the will of the Father. As stated in Hebrews 2:7-8; “You made Him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned Him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under His feet.” From the second our Savior died on that cross as a human, His spirit regained all His divine power. And from that instant, He knew when our final moment before the Rapture would be, just as the Father and Holy Spirit know this as well.

Without giving any specific timeframe of the end-time events, God spoke through several prophets and disciples as to what signs to look for. One of the main signs was the parable of the Fig tree. This was understood to refer to Israel and the phases it would go through.

Joel 2:22; 24-26; 32: ²² “Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the Fig Tree and the vine give their full yield [prosperous]… ²⁴ The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. ²⁵ I will restore to you the years [almost 2,000] that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer and the cutter, My great army which I sent among you. [Israel was desolate until about 1948.] ²⁶ You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people will never be put to shame again… ³² And it shall come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Right now, Israel is a very prosperous nation with a strong and respected military presence in the Middle East. They went from being a desolate wasteland to having fertile fields of crops and vineyards, and today they export a lot of products to numerous other nations. Since May 14, 1948, it is obvious to those who care to admit it that God has blessed Israel and has kept it from being annihilated by the surrounding countries. No other nation on this earth has ever come back and prospered after so long a period of time.

Looking at Matthew 24:32-34; “From the Fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as the branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation [from 1948] will not pass away until all these things take place.” I do not know the length of the “generation” the Lord spoke of, but so far, it’s been just over 72 years.

Israel has been nothing short of a miracle from the first day, but as in the past, the people have not turned completely to their God and their Messiah. Presently, it’s estimated that about 1% to 2% of the worldwide Jewish population is messianic – accepts Jesus as Savior. Romans 11:25 speaks about this; “Lest you be wise in our own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers [sisters]: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.”

Paul is telling his readers that God knew what the attitude of His chosen would be and has allowed this to happen. Once the “fullness of the Gentiles” – Rapture – takes place, and the Gentiles (and all believers) are removed, then God will again turn His full attention to the Jewish people. The 7-year Tribulation will not only be the Wrath of the Father on this evil, sinful world, but it will be a time of discipline for His chosen. Remember, Hebrews 12:5-11 references a just father disciplining his children as a sign of love, not abuse.

Zechariah 13:8 tells us that 2/3 of the Jewish people will perish during that time. The remaining 1/3 will be “put into the fire and refined,” and at the end will say, “The Lord is my God” (v-9).

A lot of events happening today are causing people to “faint from fear,” as given in Luke 21:26. They are being controlled by events of this world rather than putting their faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. Again, God is not surprised by any of this. Shortly, there will be an attack against Israel (Ezekiel 38/39), and they will again be miraculously saved. This time it will be with obvious Heavenly resources. Then, a very charismatic person will emerge with an ultimate plan for peace that the whole world will applaud. Enter the antichrist and the 7-year Tribulation.

This information has been available to all who will accept God’s word. It has been there since before the time our Savior walked this earth. Daniel and Revelation give the complete scenario of what will take place, and Jesus affirmed this by telling of the “Abomination of Desolation” spoken of by Daniel. (Matthew 24; Mark 13) True believers who have accepted Jesus will not witness those events here on earth. Our Father promised to keep us from the coming wrath in 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 and Revelation 3:10.

It may seem like the powers of this earth are in full control, and events are gaining speed that lead to the 7-year Wrath/Tribulation. What would seem to be obvious is overlooked, and things that make no sense are taking place.

Remember, 1 John chapters 2-5 tell us there were false prophets and antichrists in his day, and they would increase in number and influence toward the end of this age. It’s here; it’s happening; we’re seeing it every day. Previously, Bible-based evangelical churches preached God’s word. Now they are “tweaking” His words to fit what the prince of this world (Satan) wants to be given in many pulpits.

God is patient to a point (2 Peter 3:9) but won’t wait for much longer. Time and again, He warned Israel to turn away from their wickedness and back to Him. Time and again, they had to be disciplined. Well, here we are again. He has warned and warned us, but our society is going to the “politically correct” side – Satan’s side.

It’s not too late to call on Jesus to be our Savior; just follow Romans 10:9-13 for the simple details. Don’t add or take anything away from the verses. Then, when the Trumpet of God sounds, and the shout from the archangel takes place, you will be ready to go “up to meet Jesus in the air” and be with Him forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

Just please don’t hesitate. Call on Jesus today. The “twinkling of an eye” could be any second of any day now. Be Ready! Be assured, God is still on the throne, and He is in control. He wants you to call on His Son and be saved.

Maranatha! Shalom!

huebshman46@gmail.com

 

Although Scripture has foretold of the times we live in, you could say that the time from the Rapture until the start of the 70th Week is intentionally unscripted. In other words, the outline is there, but the details are still somewhat a mystery to us. Keep in mind, they might be a mystery to us, but they are not a mystery to God. Nevertheless, I thought I should ask the question as to why they are a mystery at all.

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’ Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne” (Revelation 4:1-2). (emphasis mine)

“After these things” is a three-word phrase that is just jam-packed with underlying meaning. Comparatively, it is just as pregnant with context as is the passage in Galatians 4:4, which states… “But when the fullness of the time had come.” The passage Paul wrote to the Galatians is referring to all the geopolitical and prophetic events that had to have taken place for Christ to come the first time as a man to the earth through the virgin Mary.

It meant all of what was given to the Prophet Daniel had to have taken place. Included but not limited: the rise and fall of three kingdoms (Babylon, Persia, and Greece), the rise of the fourth (Rome), the regathering of the Jews back in their homeland, and the rebuilding of the second Jewish Temple (since the Babylonians had destroyed Solomon’s Temple).

However, to have a rebuilt Jewish temple meant the Jews would have had to be securely back in their land. Thus, we see the first repatriation under the Medo-Persian King Cyrus, and later, under the Persian King Artaxerxes II. From a military, economic, and political standpoint, that was a considerable list of things to occur in just five short centuries.

So, what is this “after these things” referring to, you might be asking? Revelation chapters 1-3 is all about John’s vision, i.e., the glorified Christ’s revelation to him and Jesus’ seven letters to the seven churches. Jesus tells John that he was chosen to be the messenger to all he was about to witness and that he would be tasked with ensuring its distribution to all the churches (i.e., the chain of custody).

Now we get back to the crux of the issue. The last letter of the seven Jesus spoke to was to the Church at Laodicea. Jesus stated they were lukewarm and offensive to Him, even though they believed they were wealthy and in need of nothing. Jesus offers nothing positive to say to this church, only condemnation. He concludes with His cursory remarks about “he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Then immediately (remember there weren’t chapter or verse breaks in the original text), we jump to the scene where John sees a door standing open in heaven, and then hears a voice like a trumpet, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Since there were hundreds to thousands of churches existing in 95AD as well as larger and more predominant congregations, the seven churches were chosen to convey the totality of churches for all time. The number seven represents the concept of completeness throughout Scripture.

Furthermore, the order in which these seven churches are arranged also speaks to the sequential nature of how the church would progress through time.

Paul also wrote to seven churches (Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Romans), and Jesus had the seven kingdom parables in Matthew 13. Interestingly, all three (Seven Letters, Paul’s Letters, and Kingdom Parables) perfectly overlay each other in a complementary fashion. Thus, let us conclude with confidence that the “after these things” is referring to what John saw (resurrected and glorified Christ) and to the totality of the church age.

Assessment

Although there is not a perceived gap of time in the text between Jesus’ scathing letter to the Laodiceans and the time John is caught up into Heaven, there are two things to consider. First, when John is raptured into heaven, he went from existing in the temporal, physical realm, which is bound by time, to the eternal realm (not bound by time).

Secondly, the next two chapters (4-5) are devoted entirely to the throne- room scene in Heaven. However, by referring back to the passage in Galatians (and many other places), a passage of time not explicitly laid out is not a denial or negation that one has occurred. The passing of time could then be either implied or, at least, assumed. Therefore, let us categorize the major highlights for this seemingly unscripted time we live in into sections: The things which are, the things which must take place, and here, the things which take place between the Rapture and the start of the 70th Week (i.e., the Tribulation).

The Rise of Antichrist

The end of Revelation chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 directs John’s attention (and ours) back to earth to see what the ramifications are for Jesus opening the First Seal, the unleashing of the Antichrist. According to the 70 Weeks Prophecy given to Daniel by the Angel Gabriel, the 70th Week (the Tribulation) would begin with a treaty that is enforced between Israel and the many. The one who enforces the Treaty is none other than the Antichrist.

Something to consider is that the Apostle John had penned the Gospel of John, as well as three Epistles before being given the book of Revelation. In his first epistle, John already discusses something intriguing.

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18).

How did John know about the Antichrist (he is the only one who calls him this) before he was given the Revelation? First, because John understood and took literally the Old Testament prophets speaking about this man. He had Jesus’ own words in the Olivet Discourse. He also had the writings by Paul. Lastly, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is how he knew there was one final man of sin coming. He also understood that the spirit of antichrist was already at work in the world. This spirit of antichrist would spawn numerous others who would precede the final one coming. The missing piece was how he would come. The final Antichrist cannot come to the earth until Jesus opens the First Seal Judgment.

This is called a pre-condition, which requires something to happen before the Tribulation officially begins. The Man of Sin, the Lawless One, the Son of Perdition, and the Antichrist (all the same man) must first be allowed to come by Jesus. Even though this man wreaks great havoc upon the earth on those saints living on the earth at that time, he cannot come to the earth to do Satan’s bidding until Jesus allows it. This point, while not directly connected to the issue at hand, soundly refutes Pre-Wrath and other erroneous eschatological positions, which somehow try to conflagrate and confuse the concept of wrath and when it begins. (See 1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9.)

The Restrainer

Paul also confirms and provides a different perspective to this ‘coming of the lawless one’ by adding that he cannot come UNTIL the restrainer is removed. So who is the Restrainer? Who is it that restrains evil across the world for the past two thousand years? Well, we know who it cannot be. It cannot be the Archangel Michael because Michael is a singular being (not omnipresent); thus, he could not physically constrain evil all over the world at the same time.

The restrainer is also not Satan because he would not restrain evil, being the very embodiment of it. The restrainer is not the government, although governments were designed to curb man’s lawless intentions; however, there are plenty of examples of evil governments. The only Being it could be, who is both omnipresent and capable of restraining evil, is the Holy Spirit.

During the Last Supper, Jesus tells His disciples that it is beneficial that He leave because another would come and be with them. He referred to God the Holy Spirit as both the Helper and the Comforter, thus descriptive names as to the nature of the role of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, He states,

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:7-9). (emphasis mine)

Jesus, while in His physical, earthly body, was not omnipresent. He was confined (as a man) to the geographical locations of where He was at any given moment. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, can be everywhere at the same time with the same omnipotence as the other two members of the Triune Godhead. Paul reveals later that the Holy Spirit seals the believer at the very moment of salvation and that they are sealed until the day of redemption (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14).

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

Foreknowledge

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:7-8).

Although this brief is titled “Unscripted,” concerning where we are in time, the truth is (as Amos 3:7 plainly states) God has foretold us what will happen before it happens so that we can have confidence in God’s sovereignty. We may not know all the details, but at the least, we have the outline. The world at large refuses to accept the divine outline. The divine outline (at least as far as we here in the 21st-century are concerned) is this:

“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” (Revelation 1:19).

Because the book of Revelation deals with everything post-Calvary, understanding the basic outline in Revelation will prevent a lot of confusion before it even begins. Still, if John’s catching up is a foreshadowing of the Rapture, which dissects the world before (the Church Age) with what comes after (the Tribulation, the Millennial Kingdom, and Eternity Future), what has to happen between the two?

My theory is the two chapters (heavenly throne-room scene) are given precious and exclusive real estate in this final book of the Bible to show (without showing) a gap in time between the Rapture and the official start of the 70th Week. Remember, the Rapture does not begin the Tribulation, but it does lay the necessary foundation for it to begin.

Likely events that take place: the collapse of the world’s former superpower, the United States; the divinely spectacular defeat of Gog and Magog; the arrival of the Two Witnesses; the rebuilding of the Third Jewish Temple; and the rise of a new but different last days empire.

Now, what we know about the world today — roughly 192 countries — is that they are highly segregated into sovereign nations. Each nation (more or less) always acts on its own behalf. Also true is that if the Rapture occurred today, some nations would be impacted more than others would. For example, the Rapture would have a far greater impact on the United States than, say, Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia. However, for the sake of global reorganization, let us focus on the United States.

The collapse of the United States (for any reason) would seriously upend the global pecking order. Aside from the obvious disturbances (vehicular crashes, riots, and general lawlessness), the US economy would collapse, thus bringing the entire world down with it. If that happens, it would take some time to both strip the United States resources from her and reallocate them back to the Old World.

While Satan is not omnipotent, he has (presumably) read the book of Revelation. He understands that a third of the earth will be burnt up, as well as a third of the oceans and freshwaters in the Trumpet Judgments alone. The Americas (North, Central, and South) make up a third of the world’s trees, fresh waters, and oceans (those territorial to our coastlines). It does not take a rocket scientist to see that Satan’s footprint is being reduced and channelized so that he and his forces are being increasingly confined to those lands near Israel.

This may also speak to why Satan is so intently bent on destroying the United States. It is not simply to corrupt us just for the sake of it; he has a much more pragmatic need to do so. He needs our military aircraft, weapons, technology, gold, soldiers, etc., back over to Europe to outfit and finance his final world empire. He also needs to destroy our currency so that the global economy does collapse, and then he can introduce (through his human agents) the digital currency necessary for the implementation of the mark of the beast system.

Therefore, while things appear to be “unscripted” and “unknowable,” we should take comfort in the reality that God has this all under control. As Jan Markell is fond of saying, Things are not falling apart but are falling into place. What we are witnessing today is not merely random acts of violence and chaos but an orchestrated maneuvering by Satan to ready his beast government with an imminent rapture hanging overhead. Satan (like us) knows it is going to happen; he (we) just does not know when. For us, the Rapture will happen, and we will forever be with God in eternal glory.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

https://www.rev310.net