What comes to your mind when you hear the expression, “waiting for the other shoe to drop”? For many, it signifies the anticipation of an inevitable event, often with negative consequences.

According to Idioms Online, the phrase has been around for a long time:

“This expression probably has its origin in boarding or rooming houses of the early 1900s, where residents were crowded into multiple tiny rooms and the walls were thin, or from multi-floor apartment dwellings in cities like New York and Chicago, where one tenant’s bedroom was always directly underneath another.

So, when someone came home and took off their shoes, it would be normal to hear a thud when one shoe dropped, and then a second thud when the other shoe dropped.” [i]

In many ways, this describes the times in which we live, does it not? Believers who are aware that we live in the last days recognize the many indicators of Jesus’ soon intervention in the world, which will begin with the Rapture, followed soon by the Tribulation. For us, the “other shoe” will be joyful and wonderful, but for the world, not so much.

What are the prophetic signs that “the other shoe” is about to drop?

Wars

The second rider of the apocalypse signifies the occurrence of great wars after the church is safely in heaven with Jesus (Revelation 6:4). The world is progressing in this direction at an alarming rate.

During the past several weeks, we have heard repeated accounts of China flying dozens of military aircraft at Taiwan and of its army training for an amphibious landing. Many believe it’s just a matter of time before they invade the island nation, as it has long been their goal to annex it.

Will the U.S. defend Taiwan and become involved in a war with China, one that could escalate into a nuclear confrontation? Will China strike first at American interests to keep it from getting engaged? Does China’s new supersonic weapon that can rapidly circle the globe before striking its target factor into this? Is China bluffing on its intentions toward Taiwan?

We do yet not know the answers to the above questions, but all the saber-rattling is disconcerting.

Russia recently unveiled a missile that can travel many, many times the speed of sound and strike faraway targets in a matter of minutes. China also tested a similar weapon of mass destruction that can circle the earth several times before unexpectedly wiping out its target. Radar will not be able to see this missile until the last minutes or seconds before impact.

The words of 1 Thessalonians 5:3 come to mind in light of these technology advancements by Russia and China: “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them….” Is this shoe ready to drop?

Gog and Magog

Another potential flashpoint for war lies on the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights. For the past few years, the aligning of nations and the buildup of forces in Syria have closely matched the prophecies of the Gog-Magog war as described in Ezekiel 38-39. At times this war seems very close but so far lacks the needed spark to elevate the tensions to the all-out war described in these chapters.

A few weeks ago, Amir Tsarfati predicted that by the end of 2021, Iran would either have a nuclear weapon or that Israel would attack them. Either scenario could easily push the Middle East to the all-out war such as described by the prophet Ezekiel.

Scripture does not tell us the timing of this war in regard to the Rapture. I believe it will happen several months afterward, but it’s also possible it could happen very soon after Jesus takes us home or perhaps simultaneously.

The preparations for this war tell us that this shoe is already dangling in the air.

Economic Turmoil

When Jesus opens the third seal, great economic turmoil results due to hyperinflation (Revelation 6:5-6). I believe that the U.S. has been on the edge of such a collapse for several years. The printing of money and enormous debt will someday destroy the economy here and cause great economic turmoil throughout the world.

Senator Rand Paul recently warned of future inflation that will be worse than anything we have ever seen in the U.S. We already see the signs of this, and it’s about to get much, much worse.

This “shoe” should have dropped years ago, but I believe the Lord is sovereignly and supernaturally keeping it from hitting the floor until after the Rapture.

Many economic experts predict dire conditions this winter in America due to soaring energy costs and critical shortages of needed supplies. They believe that a financial crisis similar to 2008 lies in the very near future. [ii]

Death

If anything seems like a harbinger of the coming seven-year Tribulation, it’s the culture of death that circles the globe and characterizes many governments, especially the Biden administration.

Although what I see already shocks me, I know conditions will get much, much worse during the coming Tribulation. The fourth rider of the apocalypse, “Death,” will make anything that has happened in the history of the world seem small by comparison (see Revelation 6:7-8).

The planned COVID-19 outbreak, “vaccine” deaths, and deadly mandates are just the tip of the iceberg. Should it not alarm us that those who openly seek to depopulate the world have become the most outspoken proponents of the COVID mRNA injections?

The National Institute of Health (NIH) in America recently admitted that it funded “gain-of-function” research at the Wuhan lab in China. That’s nothing less than a euphemism for weaponizing the coronavirus to make it more transmittable and deadly.

The globalists planned the creation of this super virus, the timing of its release, and the vaccines, which do not stop the transmission of COVID-19, nor do they prevent people from dying as a result of succumbing to the virus. They only lessen the severity of the virus for a short time after the injection.

The New World Order

For the people who live in Australia, this shoe seems to have already dropped. They already experience many of the draconian and tyrannical conditions that will characterize life on the earth during the Tribulation period.

In the U.S., a concerted effort is underway to destroy the fabric of our nation so that it yields to the desires of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to impose its economic Great Reset on us. This agenda is none other than the coming New World Order as described in the UN’s Agenda 2030.

Leo Hohmann, an investigative blogger and reporter, describes the headway that President Biden is making in his effort to collapse America so that it will have no choice but to yield to the global powers that seek to form this new world order:

“Just like with his other policies, such as opening the borders to hundreds of thousands of unvetted military-age migrants and unleashing crushing inflationary pressures on the economy, Biden’s injection mandates were a calculated move to collapse America.

The humiliating way in which the U.S. exited Afghanistan was also planned to maximize negative feelings among U.S. allies while emboldening U.S. enemies abroad.

The military, the healthcare system, law enforcement, the airlines, the rail lines, the supply chains, the electric grid — they are all going to fail within the next six to 12 months. None of this critical human infrastructure can survive losing 20 to 30 percent of its workforce. If they do survive in some hollowed-out form, they will increasingly only serve the needs of wealthy elites — not the general public.” [iii]

Please know that it’s possible that the resistance to the vaccine mandates may delay the timing of Hohmann’s predictions, and America may survive longer. Just as with the economic turmoil, the Lord may sovereignly intervene and delay the collapse of the U.S. for several years.

On the other hand, if the mandates go forward as planned by the Biden administration, the other shoe could possibly drop rather quickly for the U.S. in the coming months or years.

A strong America would never succumb to the globalist’ designs of the WEF. Earlier this week, the U.S. President told the American people that his legislation, which he calls “The Build Back Better Act” (yes, this title comes directly from the WEF playbook), will cost U.S. taxpayers “zero dollars.” This is most certainly a lie; it will cost them everything in the end, including their freedom.

The objective of those who control Biden (the deep state) is to destroy America. The supply chain disruptions are intentional and will last until they have served the purposes of the globalists in contributing to the collapse of America. This shoe may hit the ground soon!

Transhumanism

An essential component of the Great Reset is transhumanism, the combining of humans with machines or more with distant computing networks that will monitor their every move and control them.

Klaus Schwab, the founder and leader of the World Economic Forum, refers to transhumanism as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” which he regards as a key component of his “build back better” agenda. The two go hand in hand.

How will this “Fourth Industrial Revolution” both start and continue? I wrote four previous blog posts on this topic starting with, Transhumanism: The Plot to Control Your Life. In these articles, I demonstrate how the globalists plan to do this through vaccines that will, over time, inject mini processors into the human body that will monitor one’s every move and later control those infused in such a way.

Please know that the current COVID “vaccines” are NOT the mark of the beast that the antichrist will impose upon humanity during the Tribulation. However, why participate, or continue to do so, in something that has the intent of leading humanity to the place of slavery and inescapable perdition that the coming lawless one will impose on humanity?

The Rapture

If I correctly understand 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, and I believe that I do, then those of us in Christ anticipate hearing a shout and the sound of the trumpet. For us, the “other shoe” points to a joyful and glorious event that we pray will happen soon.

There is much joyful hope in the imminent return of Jesus! He could come at any moment in the near future, or He may make us wait longer. Regardless, we possess the hope of the New Testament saints who believed that Jesus would come for them before any of the events of the seven-year Tribulation. That is what imminency means, and we possess this joyous hope!!

The Rapture will fulfill the words of John 14:2-3 as well as 1 Corinthians 15:50-56; it will signify the beginning of eternity for us as we instantly receive imperishable bodies and Jesus catches us up to meet Him in the air. This moment will be glorious beyond what we can envision at the moment.

For those left behind, “the other shoe” will be the sudden destruction that will initiate the day of the Lord after the Rapture of the church. This “other shoe” will come with many terrifying consequences for those outside of Christ as they endure God’s wrath, as described in Revelation 6-18 and in many places throughout the Old Testament.

If you do not yet know Jesus as your Savior, please call upon Him now. In my post, Salvation In No Other Name, I explain how you can know that you have eternal life by trusting Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sins. He died on the cross bearing the punishment for your sins so that you might live forever.

Please know that there’s incredible hope despite the severity of the time in which we live. Whether or not you believe what I write, the reality is that the walls are rapidly closing in on our world.

My intent here is most certainly not to scare people but to wake up believers to the time in which we live and call upon those outside of Christ to call upon Him while you can.

You never know when the other shoe might hit the floor.

Jonathan Brentner

Website: Our Journey Home

Please consider signing up for my newsletter on my website. Thanks!

E-mail: Jonathanbrentner@yahoo.com

[i] Idioms Online: Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop, @ https://www.idioms.online/waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop/
[ii] Prophecy News Watch story, America’s Dark Winter – Ominous Fears Of What To Expect This Winter Multiply, republished from The Economic Collapse Blog. @ https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=5025
[iii] Leo Hohmann, The Great Collapse is underway: Navy ready to boot sailors who refuse jab; federal workers, soldiers file class-action suit against Biden admin, supply lines teetering on the brink, October 15, 2021, on his blog: https://leohohmann.com/2021/10/15/the-great-collapse-is-underway-navy-ready-to-boot-sailors-who-refuse-jab-federal-workers-soldiers-file-class-action-suit-against-biden-admin-supply-lines-teetering-on-the-brink/#more-7984

Mark 10:35-45

Summary: The disciples had to learn, often the hard way, that following Jesus does not mean favoritism from Him. They had to learn that service towards God and others is to be done with a loving, gracious attitude and not with an ego.

You have to admit that James and John thought a lot about their ability to serve the Lord Jesus. They wanted places of honor in the Kingdom of God without coming to grips with the hardship that follows everyone who gives their lives to Him. The disciples and all who would surrender their lives to the Lordship and saving grace of Jesus over the centuries would experience not glamor, but grief, and not power, but persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). These two “sons of thunder” were blatant examples of self-exaltation (before they later changed), which was the very poison that Lucifer and the fallen angels possessed (Isaiah 14:13-14) that will end in eternal doom for them (Matthew 25:41) in everlasting hell.

We all think far too highly of ourselves and often get on our respective “high horse,” making the mistake of looking down on everyone else and believing that we are more important to the cause of the Kingdom than others. We think that our words are so eloquent and our actions so noble when the hard truth is that, save for the mercy and grace of God through Jesus Christ, we are all hell-bound sinners absent of any hope, and it is high time that we look at ourselves through that perspective (Romans 3:10-18, 23).

We tend to worship at the altar we have built and dedicated to self-reliance and esteem, believing that we are not as “bad” as the person living next door who has had one too many shots of whiskey that weekend, or other situations that blur reality. We pride ourselves on the collection of morals and ethics we have formed in our own image at the expense of seeking the face of God and learning from Him as to what it means to have a genuine righteous lifestyle (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

Scripture does not spare feelings nor apologize for its direct hit at the souls and sins of reprobate humanity, pointing out that we are hopeless, helpless, and doomed unless we repent, ask for forgiveness of our sins, and bow before the Lord Jesus, surrendering our lives to His will (Philippians 2:5-11). Scripture and its truth stand firm and unbending when the emotional bellowing of the wicked reaches its peak and then fails. Any desire to exalt our feelings and opinions before the holiness of Almighty GOD is fruitless and a waste of time. The Word of God shows that the worship of self at the expense of service to Him never ends well for us; yet, we never seem to want to learn our lessons.

Moses himself got a case of the “big head” when he claimed to be the source of water for the ever-complaining Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 20:8-12). As a result of this foolish statement, God would not allow him to enter the Promised Land. Moses was receiving the credit and benevolence toward Israel that belonged solely to God.

Today, we are not to think too highly of ourselves in front of notable individuals or important figures, and I can think of no better example from my years of service to the Lord Jesus than my peers in seminary who were considerably younger than I was. Some tended to think that their preaching and character made them a sure heir of men such as the late Dr. Billy Graham and noted pastors and leaders within my respective denomination. Some made the mistake of wanting to “name-drop” in order to appear more dignified. They needed to get back to the Word of God and read what none other than King Solomon said about folks such as them (Proverbs 25:6-7, 27:2).

It is not just individuals who serve themselves a large helping of self-esteem and egotism disguised as noble intentions. Ancient empires such as Babylon, which overran and conquered the kingdom of Judah in fulfillment of the warnings from God’s prophets, had their time in the sun. God, in His decree, allowed them to be used to fulfill His will. Babylon was steeped in paganism and did not regard the LORD, save for Nebuchadnezzar II, who was humbled by Him and had been warned by Daniel. They believed that their kingdom would last for eons, but it later fell to the Persians in 532 B.C. (Daniel 5).

The prophet Isaiah had spoken of Babylon’s rise and fall (Isaiah 47:8-11). This is a stern warning for any nation that dares to rebel against the rule of the LORD. No one gets away with anything. God sees all of it, and He will demand accountability from both people and nations at the last day (Hebrews 9:27).

The Lord Jesus told a parable about a farmer who boasted in his goods and believed that all would be well. He placed his trust in himself and his possessions, certain that this life would be all that concerned him. God had a warning and rebuke for this foolish man, and it was not pleasant in terms of his eternal soul and destiny (Luke 12:13-21). Jesus also told a parable of two men who went to pray in the Temple; one a Pharisee whose prayer was a list of self-achievement and religious pride, and a tax collector who saw himself as a sinner in need of mercy from God (Luke 18:9-14). Which prayer did the LORD hear and honor? Which role best describes you when you go before the LORD to pray? Which role best describes your attitude towards serving the LORD?

The apostle Paul wrote that the gifts of the Spirit that are bestowed upon us are never for self-edification or for boasting as to who is more spiritual, which was a major problem with the Corinthians. But all gifts and talents are to be used to edify, strengthen, and encourage the brethren as well as demonstrate to the unbelieving world that the claims and saving grace given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ is true and the only means by which anyone can have real peace with God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12, 16:31; Romans 5:6-11, 10:9-10, 12:3-8).

Towards the end of his life, the apostle Peter wrote encouraging words to the “under-shepherds” of the church (pastors), telling them to show Christ-like grace to all and be an example to their flocks. Persecution such as what the early church was undergoing made no room for egos or self-centeredness (1 Peter 5:2-4).

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to always keep our eyes on Him and notice that He was never at any time domineering or willing to use His power and authority for His own needs. He received His direction from the Father and did as He said (John 14:7-11). Jesus never had an ego to bruise or nurture, always submissive to the Father’s will.

We need to get off any pedestal that someone or ourselves have placed us on, erase any thoughts of self, pride, and ego, and surrender all to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-11). He is to run our lives, and since He created us, I would tend to think that He knows how to do a better and more excellent job than we could ever conceive in our own thought and ability. It is He to whom we shall bow in humble adoration on that great and glorious day when He returns to take His bride home (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and later comes back to rule and reign over a new heaven and earth (Revelation 19:11-21, Chapters 21, 22), free of sin and its effects once and for all.

Now, the question I have for you is: Have you surrendered your life to Him? If not, get that taken care of TODAY while there is still time (2 Corinthians 6:2). He saves all who come to Him, and we get the honor of serving Him.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

Join me for “The Reality City Daily Review” weekday mornings at 10:00 CST on YouTube (USA). It will then be posted on Facebook and on my website. My main area of discussion will be on the basics of the Christian faith but will also deal with prophetic issues and other topics as the Lord impresses upon me to handle.