[Countdown to Judgment was written and posted the evening of March 31, 2022.]

For years now, I have been keeping a few friends and family members up to date on the progression of end-time prophecy through a two-part weekly Prophetic Update.

The topics that I’ve had my eye on include: New World Order/Mark of The Beast/One World Religion; Gog/Magog: Ezekiel 38; Wars & Rumors of Wars; Russia/Ukraine War (resent category); China Watch; Covid – Pestilence; Economic Collapse – Revelation 6:5-6 (recent category); Jewish & Christian Persecution; Moral Depravity; Lawlessness; and Cancel Culture/Critical Race Theory (CRT)/The Purge/Communism/Marxism/Socialism.

The category that has really intrigued me the most, as of late, has been the Moral Depravity category, such as we have witnessed in the United States and even in some other countries around the world. Here’s what I said in the recent Prophetic Update to be sent out this Friday night:

Note: I’ve got to tell you all that this is getting to be way too much. Pay special attention to the Moral Depravity section. It’s just getting worse and worse and worse, faster and faster and faster. Jesus, it sure seems, has got to be getting close to fetching His bride. Maranatha!

Below are the articles that have come my way regarding Moral Depravity through newsletter emails I subscribe to in just the last five days, some of which I offer a little commentary.

Moral Depravity

Notice how this “teacher” calls his students “our kids/my kids” and “my children” and demands that he be able to teach them about his personal life and his sexuality. He’s a homosexual and teaches kindergarten. Since when are our children the school’s children, and since when does a “teacher” teach about their personal life in class? There is no teaching the core curriculums of reading, writing, arithmetic, and science (true science) in the public-school indoctrination centers. Get our children out!!!

Gay Florida Kindergarten Teacher Worries on MSNBC He Won’t Be Able to Share His Love Life with Kids Anymore | The Daily Wire

Yes, they do.

Ron DeSantis Slams Leftists Lying About the Parental Rights Bill: ‘They Support Sexualizing Kids in Kindergarten’ (breitbart.com)

This movie/documentary was on YouTube. When I went to get its link, of course, they purged the documentary from their platform. These wicked people hate the truth and anyone knowing the truth. Pray for them because they will be judged harshly for their blatant child abuse unless they find Christ.

Whose Children Are They?

(WATCH) Educator explicitly says she will never stop teaching your kids about sex and LBTQ “rights” (endtimeheadlines.org)

New Jersey Middle School Forced 12 yr Olds to Learn About Transgender Hormone Therapy without Parental Consent (thegatewaypundit.com)

First graders given gender identity worksheet, told people can be neither or both genders | The National Desk

Ron DeSantis Slams Leftists Lying About the Parental Rights Bill: ‘They Support Sexualizing Kids in Kindergarten’ (breitbart.com)

Let’s see; this woman has “a transgender child and a pansexual child.” What are the odds?!? You can’t tell me this isn’t learned behavior. She should be investigated for child abuse. But abusing her children isn’t enough for her; she wants to abuse other people’s children too.

Disney prez says, as mom of ‘transgender’ and ‘pansexual’ children, she wants diverse characters | Daily Mail Online

Disney Executives Admit: Of Course We’re Grooming Your Children (thefederalist.com)

Joe Biden Promoting’ Transgender Day of Visibility’ With Approval of an ‘X’ Gender Designation on American Passports Starting on April 11

This isn’t mental illness; it’s sin and child abuse.

Mental Health Horror: Girl Announces Gender Surgery Because Some of Her Identities Are Male (westernjournal.com)

High School Biology Class Tells Kids Biological Sex Is a Social Construct – RedState

I would like to ask our outspoken bi-sexual governor, “Exactly how does the Florida bill make the kindergarten through third-grade classrooms unsafe?” But I won’t because I would just hear a bunch of nonsense, which is the drivel we always hear from these progressive Marxist/Alphabet Mafia ideologically driven people. They need Jesus.

Gov. Brown on Florida bill: ‘In Oregon, we say gay’ | KATU

Report: Fourth-grade teacher says 20 of her 32 students have come out to her as LGBTQIA+ – twitchy.com

BREAKING: Fourth-grade teacher arrested, charged with attempted rape of two children | The Post Millennial

‘Just Like Rape’: Lesbian Couple Sues Fertility Clinic for Alleged Embryo Mix-Up, Say They Wanted a Girl But Got a Boy | The Daily Wire

Katy Perry tells American Idol singer to shock Christian parents | Entertainment News (christianpost.com)

Jennifer Lopez Hits Stage In ‘Equality’ Fur Coat as Drag Queens Show Off Her Famed Looks | The Daily Wire

Wanda Sykes Opens Oscars Announcing to People in Florida: ‘We’re Gonna Have a Gay Night’ | The Daily Wire

Billboards across Florida encourage people to ‘say gay’ (nbcnews.com)

California makes history with first openly transgender judge appointed to bench (yahoo.com)

At Palm Beach LGBTQ Pride festival, 30 couples marry in mass wedding (msn.com)

BBC Corrects Article Calling Women’ Assigned Female at Birth’ (breitbart.com)

Stanford Redefines Parents as ‘Mother Pairs’ and ‘Mixed-Gender’ in Study (breitbart.com)

Christian doctor challenges ruling over trans pronouns | World News (christianpost.com)

Leftist Leader Stumped When Asked Whether Women Can Have Penises (breitbart.com)

Surprise?

Leading LGBTQ activist back in hot seat over fresh sexual assault claim | The Times of Israel

Planned Parenthood Left Her Baby’s Foot and Dead Twin Inside Her During Botched Abortion, Then Tried to Buy Her Off (operationrescue.org)

Pro-Life Group Finds Largest Known Stockpile of Aborted Fetuses Funded by Russell Moore’s Ally (reformationcharlotte.org)

Woman Codes after Botched Abortion but Clinic Said She Was “Good to Go” | Operation Rescue

Maryland Legislature Passes “Kill More Babies” Bill That Greatly Expands Abortions – LifeNews.com

Miami Sex Trafficker Raped, Waterboarded Victims in ‘Torture Chamber’ (breitbart.com)

The Corruption In Washington D.C. Is Far Worse Than Most Americans Can Possibly Imagine – End Of The American Dream

Houston, Texas Mom Ashli Rene Lock Arrested Over ‘Malnourished and Filthy’ Kids (thedailybeast.com)

Prominent State Political Icon Arrested on Heinous Child Porn Charges; Insultingly Low Bail Set for the Rich Megadonor (westernjournal.com)

Bridget Barton: Free crack pipe, needle tour | The Oregon Catalyst

Southern Baptist Convention Promotes Disney as Disney Increases LGBTQ Child Grooming (reformationcharlotte.org)

Gay “Pastor” Says Jesus is Not the Only Way to Heaven, And Jesus Never Said He Was (reformationcharlotte.org)

Lesbians and Homosexuals to Train Leaders at AWANA “Child Discipleship” Conference (reformationcharlotte.org)

The Gospel Coalition Author Implies Jesus Knows What It’s Like to Be a Homosexual (reformationcharlotte.org)

Russell Moore Visits Apostate Union Seminary to be Lectured on Christian Homophobia (reformationcharlotte.org)

Revoice Promotes “Queer Oriented Marriage” Where Husband and Wife Reverse Gender Roles (reformationcharlotte.org)

Christianity Today Blasts Creationists, Says They Are Divisive “Drawing Needless Lines in Sand” (reformationcharlotte.org)

Trying to Make Sense of It All

When I consider Christ’s analogy to the conditions of the world just before the rapture of the church, I tend to have a slight spiritual tug-of-war.

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man” (Luke 17:26).

Violence was a major theme in the days of Noah:

“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:13). (emphasis mine)

In general, mankind was wicked, and every thought of their hearts was continually evil:

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually“ (Genesis 6:26). (emphasis mine)

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded” (Luke 17:28).

When it came to Lot’s experience in Sodom, we see, of course, the city’s modern-day namesake of homosexuality and sexual perversion permeating their society:

“But before they [Lot’s family and the two angels] lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them” (Genesis 19:4-5). (emphasis mine)

We note that “all flesh” was “filled with violence” and “every imagination of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually” in the days of Noah, and that “all the people” in Sodom demanded Lot to, “Bring them [the angels] out to us, that we may know them [sexually].”

On the one hand – when considering our time and the imminence of the rapture of the church – as bad as it seems to be, we don’t seem to observe the standard of “all” that we see in the days of Noah and Lot. But on the other hand, we know that it is due to the presence of the churches of Christ and the Holy Spirit indwelling all true believers that wickedness hasn’t run its course so that “all” evil won’t dominate society until after the rapture of the church.

But, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Once the rapture of the church occurs, I would think that the true character of even the most conservative and timid unbeliever – who will not come to Christ during the Tribulation – will extend to the forefront of their lives, showing the corruption that lurks behind their self-imposed veil.

If one thinks that the coming elections in the United States are going to set the agenda of the wicked back, I would humbly assert that they would be wrong. Consider how many times we have seen “conservative” Republicans, once in office, succumb to the dark, progressive agenda. Dear Saint, our hope rests in Christ only and not in politics or any human being other than our Lord and Savior.

So, when thinking of where the world might actually be without the churches of Christ in the world and in relation to their moral compass (or lack thereof), it would seem we should be close to our blessed hope. But there is still another thought that crosses my mind.

If – and we know our Lord is a compassionate God, slow to anger and is willing that all should come to repentance and accept His free gift of Salvation through His Son – we still have more time than we might think we have, when it comes to the United States in particular, we must be on a Countdown to Judgment. This nation is certainly ripe for God’s wrath on a wicked and evil people that continually thumb their nose at Him. And what we are doing to our children is so beyond despicable.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matthew 18:6-7).

If the rapture doesn’t happen fairly soon, I believe we should all expect a catastrophe of unknown proportions that will devastate this once great nation. So, what should we do?

Beloved brethren, we must be busy Answering the Call of The Great Commission “… and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

We must be ready, willing, and able to answer their most personal and needed question in life, “Why Am I Here, and What Is It All About?”

We – the twice-born of the Spirit of Christ – and we only, have the answer to this question: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is “… the way, the truth, and the life: [and] no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Him]” (John 14:6).

Together, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can move mountains for Christ’s Kingdom. Will you join me?

Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!

➢ Email: mab10666@yahoo.com

➢ If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ and are seeking answers about God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, and salvation, please email me at mab10666@yahoo.com for information.

➢ I am still taking questions for the Questions from the Body of Christ series. If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.

➢ A listing of past articles may be found at my Article Listings on Rapture Ready or my Home Page on FaithWriters.

 

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

Let me first begin by saying that I also long for, look for, and pray for His appearing.

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

This brief, hope-filled verse, found in (Revelation 22:20) is on the lips of most of my diligent Bible reading brothers and sisters now more than ever. Given the present state of the world, it is no surprise.

I have had many conversations and contacts with my brothers and sisters where they have said (with great emotion) that they want the Lord Jesus to come back “right now.” I fully understand how they feel as I, too, am vexed and disgusted with what the world has become – what now passes for “normal” or is being pushed as such by a world reeling under a load of sin, depravity and insanity; especially the evil intentionally directed at helpless children and elderly people.

The Lord was quite clear that the present conditions would abound, and He provided a list of them, so there is no need to enumerate them here. They are found in your Bible (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3-7) and can be readily referenced. In fact, I am certain that most are already familiar with these verses, as the resonance of their reality has now pervaded every single aspect of everyday life. Even when we try to avoid them, we are unable to escape from them. I am reminded of how often, when I am out and about, that a vehicle will go by or pull up with loud, pounding music forcing itself on everyone within earshot: It is the pounding beat of a lost and dying world at the threshold of judgment.

Here I must point out that there is another longing that I have. Let’s continue this discussion by considering the desire for the return of the Lord in conjunction with our responsibilities to Him and a heart for the lost.

I am an unabashed holder of the Pre-Tribulation view of the Rapture. It is my understanding that the “appearing” being referred to in Revelation 22:20 is viewed by these brothers and sisters as the removal of the Church from the world prior to the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation. It follows that anyone who is not taken in the Rapture as the Bride of Christ will be “left behind” to endure the Tribulation (70th week of Daniel / Time of Jacobs Trouble).

Based on that view, we must all consider another sobering reality. That is that when we “long” for His appearing, before adding that “NOW” word, what are we, unintentionally perhaps, really asking for?

Note: I realize that there will be some that will hold/defend the idea that this “appearing” references the second coming at the end of the 7-year Tribulation (or some variant of that view). The reader is welcome to hold any view they wish to hold. Salvation does not depend on any particular view of the timing of this crucial prophetic event. So that we are clear, this discussion is based upon the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view.

I am of the belief that the timing of the Rapture is not linked to a “time” but instead on an “event” based on a custom that existed when Paul wrote the epistles. Much like the Galilean custom of betrothal and marriage that the Rapture is clearly patterned after (or perhaps, the custom was patterned by God to reflect His plan for the Rapture!), this “event,” I believe, was also planned by the Lord as further proof of His sovereignty over all creation and for our confidence in Him, and for His Glory.

(There are articles describing that custom and how it relates to the Rapture that have been written over the years. A good link to this concept as well as other material can be reached by this link:

https://the-end-time.org/category/fullness-of-the-gentiles/).

At that time in history, a ship waiting to embark could not sail until the “full number” of crew that was required in order to fulfill the mission had arrived. Once the full number was reached, the captain would issue the command to depart. The Rapture ship, however, is Heaven-bound!

While God certainly knows the “time” when the last person will come to salvation under Grace, the timing of the Rapture is left open-ended [to us] by Him for His own good and righteous reasons, and He is the Captain that will issue that order to the Lord Jesus.

Now to the crux of this article.

When a Christian adds “NOW” to the desire for our Lord to return for the Church, what are the questions we should first consider related to the realities that accompany it?

• Are we failing to consider that there could be many more people who have yet to be saved under Grace, and that our desire for “now” would leave them behind?
• Are we failing to consider that God has a plan for us, and we should be patient and willing to live it out?
• Are we failing to consider our charge by Jesus to witness and help spread the Gospel and that we might have the glorious opportunity to lead someone to the foot of the cross?
• That this person might even be a beloved friend or relative or even a total stranger!!?
• Are we focusing inward instead of upward?
• Are we forgetting that our actions here have an impact on our eternity and the eternity of others?
• That we should NEVER decide for ourselves that any person we witness to will not repent and be saved (I have some personal experience with seeing that miraculous conversion that I had decided, in my flesh, would never happen)! Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit!
• Are we allowing fear of the future in this life to reduce our effectiveness in serving God?
• Have we forgotten Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He shall direct your paths?“
• That we already know that the Sovereign Lord will execute His plan on His timing?
• And perhaps most important of all, are we forgetting the second most important command: “To love our neighbor as we love ourselves?”

How much time has God given us? We should consider our years. Out of gratitude for what Jesus gave us, should we not first desire to wait on Him and give back whatever time we still have left here to Him and to people who can still be saved, out of love and gratitude? Just a word or a kindness to others from us can sometimes make all the difference.

I do not live in fear of the future, but I certainly am aware that it can be unnerving, frightful, and very disturbing at times. The world is unraveling, and it is all that we have known thus far, but we have the Lord of Glory and His promises made more certain and also confirmed by the evidence of already fulfilled prophecy.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

For anyone who may read this article who 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 in the verse above. 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.

John 5:24: 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.

There are no answers, and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are 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).

NOTE: In my previous article (Deception and The Beginnings of Sorrows), I made a typographical error in quoting Luke 14:18-19 (7th paragraph). It should have been Luke 4:18-19. The quote was the correct one and properly applied in context, and the verse numbers were correct, but the Chapter number was a typo. My most humble apologies. I will strive to proofread more closely in the future.

Dave

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com