(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)
“About the time of the end, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the Prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamor and opposition.” – Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Over the last year or so, I have noticed that those of us who study and write about the relevance of Bible prophecy have been prompted, inspired, and even driven to get our message out as never before.
When I say “our,” I really mean the message of the Holy Spirit to appeal to the Church as well as the rest of the world, to wake up to the realities of the times in which we live.
Jesus made it clear that this message is much too important to be ignored.
“But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:2-3). Emphasis added by me.
In this, Jesus meant His appearance. The long-awaited Jewish Messiah prophesied in their own scriptures, in detail, was being fulfilled in their sight, and they could not discern it.
The principle warned of in (Matthew 16:2-3) still applies today.
Jesus will soon remove His Bride, and the world will be shattered by the sudden intervention of God in the rapidly deteriorating affairs of man, just as He has promised.
We, who endeavor to warn the world of God’s future prophecies, particularly those of us who hold to the Pre-Tribulation and the Pre-Millennial view, are frequently mocked, derided, and even excoriated by the unbelieving world.
That is understandable and not a mystery.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Who are those who are being “saved”? Please see the “Special Message” at the end of this article.
Sadly, these descriptors: mockery, derision, and hostility even apply to many “pastors” and those who attend churches that claim to be “Christian.”
Why such derision and mockery, especially of the Pre-Tribulation view?
Because the Church, the True Church, is promised in prophecy to be removed from the earth in an event known as the Rapture prior to God’s execution of the judgments detailed in the Book of Revelation commencing in Chapter 4:1 – and we believe it!
We believe in the plain reading of and the literal meaning of God’s Word.
We believe that Jesus Christ paid the total and complete price for sin for those who not only believe in Him but also believe Him. Every single Word.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33).
We believe that nothing further needs to be paid. Jesus paid it ALL! The Church has already been fully forgiven and purchased by Jesus through His death on the cross. There is nothing for the Church to “prove.”
As I see it, any need for the Church to be tried during any part of the Tribulation to prove it is “worthy” would constitute some sort of a form of “works,” and works save no one.
No one is “worthy” to be saved.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe and understand the true focus of the 7-year Tribulation (The Time of Jacob’s Trouble/The 70th week of Daniel) has a specific purpose in refining God’s people Israel and to cause them to finally acknowledge their Messiah.
It is also the time that God will execute judgment on those who dwell on the earth (willful rejectors of God’s Grace through Jesus Christ).
We believe that the True Church, the Bride of Christ, stands in the presence of our Savior by His own command to “come up here” at the first verse of the fourth chapter of the Book of Revelation.
The reason for that is stated in Jesus’ own words.
“Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
It is because of this view (I believe the only view that is completely compatible with the entirety of God’s Word, both Old Testament and New) that most of this “clamor and opposition” has arisen.
The unbelieving world, by and large, mocks the Bible and those who believe it, but they do so by implementing a sort of “blanket” application of mockery as they do not know the Word of God, and they can’t understand it. They mock it out of willful ignorance.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
But it is those who claim to be the church who carry the greatest burden of condemnation because they, if indeed they do read the Word of God, can understand it and believe it if they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is He who enables understanding.
Sadly, there are many professing “Christians” who seldom, if ever, brush the dust from their Bibles and seek after God, even with half their heart.
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).
Newton’s prediction appears to have been based on serious and sober study of the Word of God and his apparent awareness of the many “viewpoints” related to the future that were being propounded during the time he was engaged in his work on the subject.
I would not label him a “prophet,” as God’s prophecies ended with Jesus’ message to John on the Isle of Patmos, but I would consider him to have wisdom and knowledge through his diligent study of God’s word.
The Holy Spirit through the prophet Daniel revealed the following:
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). Emphasis added by me.
We see this prophecy literally being realized today: both in terms of general knowledge and expanded understanding of prophetic clarity. What was once a little vague is now becoming crystal clear.
Once the Church (the True Church) is gone in the “blink of an eye,” the stark reality of scriptural Truth will poleaxe the unbelieving world.
This opposition to the literal understanding and accuracy of God’s prophetic message, both in the secular (unbelieving) world and, sadly, within much of the church, is markedly increasing.
“Clamor and opposition” are undeniably present during the approaching, “Time of the End” that we see all around us.
There are many articles and commentaries that are now widely available that soberly convey the lateness of the hour and the startling increase in the convergence of prophecy with worldwide events.
This “convergence” MUST take place – and it IS taking place.
Many unbelievers are and have been increasingly becoming aware that things are spiraling out of control, and normal seems to have become extinct.
It is not necessary for anyone who might be so inclined to exaggerate or sensationalize these events.
They are occurring.
The contemporary awakening of the Church (The True Church) to prophetic realities, in my opinion, began with Hal Lindsay and Carole C. Carlson’s now classic work, The Late, Great Planet Earth, published in 1970.
The Holy Spirit, in part through this book, awakened me when I first read it in 1993 as a new Christian believer. My desire to read and understand the promises of God was fueled, and from that time, I have never looked back.
Now to the crux of this article.
How many times have each of us found ourselves saying,
“Where has the time gone?”
“Wow, it’s Friday already! Where has the week gone?”
Time has a way of advancing without notice for most of us.
But it does indeed advance whether we notice it or not, and eventually, it culminates in whatever event(s) are on the horizon.
Have you ever been out for a walk and noticed some landmark “off in the distance,” but you may not have taken any special note of it; then, suddenly, you’re there.
It seemed it was a great distance away, until it wasn’t.
Whether you are a Christian or an unbeliever: ignoring God’s warnings conveyed in His Word or ignoring the “signs of the times” as they unfold have very serious and permanent consequences.
“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
For the Christian, you will no longer be able to witness to the Truth of Jesus Christ and fulfill your obligation to Him.
You will never get another chance to tell family, friends, relatives, or anyone else about the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
For those who have rejected the Salvation paid on their behalf for their sins by Jesus: Eternal separation from the presence of God and all that means.
No Light, no Hope, only outer darkness and unending despair.
Whether you are a Christian or an unbeliever, I pray that you will be able to see the times for what they are and act accordingly.
By not choosing to respond to them, you will have chosen.
The special message I promised you:
For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.
You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.
It requires that you come before God on His terms.
And, what are His terms according to His Word?
- Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
- Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
- That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
- Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
- To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.
God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.
- No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
- No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
- Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.
If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.
“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).
There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There is only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.
The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Pro Salvator Vigilans
To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com