Brothers and sisters, are you afraid? Many people are. As events unfold in the Middle East, we become more and more aware that time is short.

Israel is always a target of hatred, but there seems to be a very sharp edge to the hatred recently. The Events of October 7, 2023, were horrific. Yet, the world (specifically the UN) condemned Israel for protecting themselves. That’s just evil. Protests broke out everywhere with many college students protesting against Israel “occupying” their own land. If these students had been taught truth, they would know that the land belongs to Israel. President Trump is a good friend to Israel, and that is a blessing, but I pray that all national leaders will use wisdom to discern God’s guidance.

Now, more evil is raging in Iran. The same evil is behind it; Satan hates peace. The people of Iran are fed up with their leaders and have taken to the streets to protest. They are being slaughtered by their government, yet the UN stays silent. Does all of this surprise you? Does it frighten you? God has given us prophecy so we can know what’s coming. He saw that the entire world would be at war, and mostly against Israel.

“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:3).

Israel will face more attacks and war. There’s one described in Psalm 83, one in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and one described in Zechariah 12. Israel will never find peace until they turn to God in faith, and call upon Jesus as their Messiah.

“And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward” (Ezekiel 39:21-22).

After this battle, the heathen as well as Israel will know that God won the battle. Today, we watch as nations form alliances against Israel, and these nations are those described in prophecy. Although prophecy calls the nations by ancient names, we know them by their modern names. Russia, Iran, Germany, Turkey, to name a few. It seems as if we’re living in prophetic times.

I know many people who have stopped watching the news because it all looks so bleak. They know a little about the end times, but not enough to watch headline news and relate it to prophecy. In my opinion, we are living in very exciting times. The King is coming, and He is coming soon.

If all of this scares you, it might be a good idea to remember that first Jesus will call all Christians Home in the Rapture. If you haven’t truly accepted Christ for salvation, that should scare you. If you claim to be a Christian but embrace a sinful lifestyle, then you need to ask to be forgiven. There’s no sin too big that it can’t be forgiven, but you must be truly repentant.

The Great Tribulation will happen after the Rapture. Scripture is clear that those who follow God are taken away to His judgment. That should bring you comfort. Remember that nobody can be saved by doing good works. Only our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus will bring salvation. Paul summarized the Gospel in his first letter to Corinth.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

There were hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw Him after the resurrection. If you don’t believe that, then you really do need to be afraid of what’s coming.

The Rapture could happen right now, but we must keep going about living here until we go Home. We need to look forward to it, but until we’re called Home, we must live in this world as best we can. We need to go to work, nurture our family, and witness to others.

When Jesus told His disciples about the events leading up to the end of the age, He talked of wars, pestilence, famine, and more. These were events that would get worse as time went on. Can you think of any nations that are living in peace? Most nations are either a part of a war with other nations or they have internal conflicts. Think back to COVID-19. There will be more and more of these man-made diseases. Famine? The food we eat isn’t the food God intended for us to eat. “Scientists” have found many ways to ruin nutrition by adding hormones and genetically changing it. They even have created “artificial meat.” There’s another famine, too.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12).

Is that happening today? Yes, it is. How many congregations embrace sin? Many pastors have very little respect for God’s word, and teach false doctrine. New Age beliefs, “Christian Yoga,” the prosperity gospel, and replacement theology are all Satanic.

I knew a man who was the pastor of 2 congregations. He decided he was really a woman and was getting a sex change. In addition to that, he was living with a woman. The congregations finally fired him, but this is not an isolated attitude.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

There are many false teachings sneaking into our congregations today. Actually, these doctrines aren’t sneaking any more; they’re charging in like a mad bull and destroying everything sacred. Many pastors don’t even believe Jesus is God, or that Scripture is God’s word. One of the most damning heresies is many teach that the church has replaced Israel. Oh, what wicked fables are being spun to deceive many. Satan is having an easy time deceiving many people. There truly is a famine in the land, and not for food.

What can we do? We can see the Rapture is coming and that those left here will face horrific times. We cannot stop it, but we don’t have to participate in the sin and deception all around us. We can read the signs of the times and plan for living while we’re here. First, get into God’s word and speak boldly of His grace and mercy. Try to share the Gospel every day. Live in a way that others will see your faith. You must have answers to any questions people ask, so study Scripture.

The Rapture could happen today, or it could happen many years from now. A phrase I like is “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.” The best would be the Rapture; the worst would be it’s a long way off.

We can look into the Old Testament and take a lesson from Joseph. He was one of Jacob’s sons, and his brothers hated him. They conspired to get rid of him by selling him into slavery. Although this was an evil act of hate, God used Joseph for a much greater purpose than he could have imagined. Joseph ended up in Egypt and honorably served Potiphar, an officer in Pharaoh’s court. It’s a very interesting account of God’s hand in a person’s life, even when it all looks bad.

Joseph had a gift for interpreting dreams, and when Pharaoh had a troubling dream of fat cows and sickly cows, Joseph was asked to give the meaning. God showed him that there would be seven years of plentiful crops, but then there would be seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to set a man over the land and store food in the plentiful years to prepare for the years of famine. Pharaoh did just that and appointed Joseph to run this project. Because of this, Joseph was reunited with his father, Jacob (also known as Israel), and the nation of Israel was protected.

Joseph could only understand God’s greater plan when he looked back. Joseph was sold into slavery to save his father and brothers from starving to death. Joseph forgave his brothers and said, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20).

We can learn many lessons from Joseph. He knew hard times were coming and made sure there was food to eat. Maybe we should be sure we have food and barter items on hand because we know troubling times will come while we await the Rapture.

God will always protect Israel, and His hand is on them today, although many people of Israel don’t believe in God. We have Scripture and much prophecy to draw from to see exactly what’s coming. Joseph saw famine, but we can see the Rapture, then the Tribulation. We cannot stop any of this from happening. We can prepare by being sure of our faith, but we should also build strong bonds with fellow Christians.

We know there’ll be a one-world currency and a one-world religion, and one evil man will run the world. We see the World Economic Forum preparing for the one-world order, and AI allows for more and more control over people.

We can plan ahead. Plant a vegetable garden. You don’t need a lot of land; a small one in your back yard, or even in planters on your patio will help. There’s also a way to grow herbs, tomatoes, and lettuce on your kitchen counter. Another good source of food is chickens. Two or three will keep you in eggs, and they eat bugs! I have 20 hens, and I’m able to sell eggs and also barter.

It might be wise to join with other Christians to share the work of a garden and share the food. If you’re blessed to have family near you, work together to help each other. Study up on herbal medicine, and what “weeds” are beneficial. Did you know that dandelions, those pesky yellow flowers that brighten your lawn, are very healthy to eat? The leaves add flavor and nutrition to salads and the flowers will add vitamins and color.

Many people are investing in gold and silver, so they’ll have a way to buy necessities when the money system fails. Some say it’s wrong to store up food and money. I don’t see preparing to feed yourself and others in troublesome times as anything against God. It’s watching the signs of the times which He gave us, and occupying until He calls us Home.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Let His wisdom be in you.

No matter what, trust God. He has told us how things would be in these last days, but many people just didn’t believe Him. Christians need to study His word and have answers to hard questions from non-believers. Our witness for Christ must be based on Scripture, and not man’s fables. The King is coming, and we must be ready, but we must occupy until He comes. Trust God and don’t be afraid.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).