Recently, someone asked me why Eschatology, the study of Last Things, End times, is so important to me, why I talk about it all the time and bring it into everything I teach.

Paul wrote to Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age [always] looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13).

To the Philippians He wrote, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…” Phil 3:18-21). 

To the Colossians he wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ [and we were], seek those things which area above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.   Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. [You’ll come back with Him after the Tribulation.] (Col 3:1-3).

God’s will for each of us, His children, is that we set our hearts and minds on Heavenly, Eternal things… not on Earthly, temporal things.

Long before God laid the foundation of the World, long before Lucifer rebelled, birthing sin in his own heart, long before anything that is… was… He knew me, He loved me and He chose me for Himself. Out of the billions of people who had ever lived… He chose me.

It’s as if… through very bad living, I had accumulated a crushing load of debt… like untold millions of dollars… a debt I would never be able to pay off. My debt was so great that I would be condemned to spend forever in the deep, dank, dark debtor’s prison.

But then one day, a distant relative, a Kinsman Redeemer, someone I didn’t even know, went before the judge and paid off all my crushing debt; and on top of that, he even opened a bank account for me with a balance of $40,000,000 so that I would never again have any debt at all. After all that, he wrote to me that one day, soon, he didn’t say when exactly, but he told me some signs to watch for which would clearly point to the general time of his return when he would come for me and fly me, in his private jet, to an incredible set of islands in the Pacific where I could live in a paradise, forever.

The only thing he wanted me to do, in light of his great kindness and generosity to me, was to tell others, the people I knew and those I would meet, of what he had done for me and that he was willing to do the same for anyone who asked. But He warned that once he finally did return for me and for anyone else who believed his offer… once he did return to take us away to our own private Island Paradises… that would be it. His offer to freely pay anyone’s great debt would no longer be available.

I could hardly believe it. What incredible kindness, grace and mercy that He would do that for me!

To Him, I am one in a million, of the millions and billions who will refuse His offer; He chose me and came to find me, and He called me to Himself.

He brought me to a small gate; He invited me to come through it and to begin a long journey, walking along a narrow, difficult path; but He promised that He would always be with me no matter how difficult the journey. He promised to never leave me, to never forsake me, and He promised to lead me safely to the end of the path, to the airport, from which He will finally fly me to the Island Paradise He has been preparing just for me.

He called me to enter through the small, narrow gate which leads to a long, narrow, difficult road that leads, finally, to Heaven and to His Throne. For every one of us who has heard and answered His call, there might be a million who pass by that small, narrow gate, continuing on, walking, skipping and running on the wide, open, broad highway that eventually leads to a cliff that drops off into Hell.

The most vivid example of the many millions who thoughtlessly, heedlessly run headlong to destruction is in the many Carnival, Marti Gras celebrations around the World like New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Venice and many other cities with a strong Catholic heritage.

Marti Gras, from the French, means ‘Fat Tuesday.’ It dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, like Saturnalia and Lupercalia.

When Caesar Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome, in the early AD 300’s, many pagan festivals and gods/goddesses were incorporated into the new ‘faith.’

Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday when the season of Lent begins, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. They would binge and gorge themselves on all the rich, fatty foods, meat, eggs, milk, lard and cheese that remained in their homes. Then, for 40 days, they would fast, eating only fish or other plain, bland foods. However, instead of being just about foods, it came to be weeklong celebrations of debauchery of every kind, leading to Ash Wednesday when the priest would absolve them of all their sins.

The reason I bring up Marti Gras is that it, along with so many ‘Gay Pride’ parades, which are actually fashioned after Marti Gras parades, to a degree, are perfect examples of people in the World, seemingly doing their best to flaunt their sin, heedless of any restraint whatsoever, throwing off any and all constraints that might be misinterpreted as admission or submission to anything related to God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Like those ‘celebrations,’ the World is becoming more and more rotten, more and more debauched each day.

To Ezekiel, He said, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.  Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done  shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-20).

God has called every one of us to be a Watchman. We are to first watch carefully over our own souls: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” (1 Pet 5:8-9). And we are to carefully watch, guarding our families and whatever ‘flock’ God has placed under our care.

I see what is coming; I see what is coming very quickly and very soon. Most of what is coming, from the moment of the Rapture, seems to open up before me in what I see as a mostly clear, concise, focused, panoramic picture or video; for the most part, it is not cloudy or mysterious.

As I study, as I read His Word, as I pray, I constantly ask for wisdom and understanding; and I believe that He is faithful to give me wisdom and understanding.

I am not more intelligent than anyone else… I have simply been ‘gifted’ in certain areas of understanding that are different than the areas in which God has specially gifted some others.

Paul wrote, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor 12:4-11).

What I understand, I teach. What I don’t yet understand, I study.

If others believe or teach differently than I… what we believe about Eschatology does not affect whether or not we are saved. Eschatology should never be dogma.

Tom Tillman

heartsofloveministries.com

Back in Ezekiel’s day, he faced much scoffing and mocking when he brought forth the Word of the Lord.  Despite being so faithful to God and being a conduit for many messages to the Israelites, their constant scorn of God’s prophetic Word had to weigh on Ezekiel. To reassure him, God spoke extensively about those who chose to ignore Him and make light of the Word His prophet brought forth. In Ezekiel 12:21-28, here is God’s declaration and warning:

“And the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, ‘The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision. For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,’ declares the Lord God.

“And the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed,’ declares the Lord God.”

In these verses we hear God’s tone. He’s angry at the people who don’t believe. They’ve said that whatever God might have declared isn’t for today; that the prophecies might happen sometime in the future – maybe. And God makes it clear: Enough! He will perform His Word, and it will happen soon.

In reading this, it struck me how similar the situation was when Peter wrote his second epistle.  Compare the above with 2 Peter 3:1-7 where he says:

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’

“For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”

It’s said that history repeats itself, which seems relatively true. In addition, events in the Bible often have near-term and long-term fulfillment, often described as a telescoping effect. Ezekiel’s prophecy was for then. Peter’s prophetic word was for then. But both seem quite applicable to the situation we’re experiencing today.

Those of us who believe in a pre-Tribulation Rapture continue to speak and warn: “Come to the Lord.  He is merciful and just. Choose life through His Son, Jesus Christ. We’re in the final days of the latter times. Jesus’ Words in Matthew 24 and in Luke 17 and 21 are coming to pass. The convergence of signs foretold makes the situation urgent. Repent, and call on the Name of the Lord!”

But people ignore our pleas. They scoff that all this was supposed to happen in the 70s, 80s, or 90s.  Since nothing occurred then, nothing will happen now. It’s all a myth.

In promoting a book on Facebook of my collected essays and devotionals that I regularly post on my blog, many of which have appeared on Rapture Ready, I received less than complementary comments from a couple of individuals—just for the fact of having such a book. One, who seemed to be an atheist, I had to ban from my page for esthetic reasons. His Facebook page included many derogatory Christian references. The other fellow, by the name of David, espoused some beliefs that capture well the attitude of mocking and scoffing in these last days. David’s Facebook page says that he graduated with a religious education.

I had a little back and forth with David until it grew tiresome. Below, I’m including his various comments —unedited—so you can see the aberrant so-called Christian thinking in the world that is full of mocking and scoffing. So as not to make this essay too long, I’m not including my comments to him. Suffice it to say that I tried unsuccessfully to point him to actual Bible truth.

David’s comments:

“the end times.” OMG indeed, God spare us from these cranky beliefs.

When the scribes accused Jesus for saying that he was the Son of God, he quoted Isaiah, where it is stated, “I have said, Ye are Gods, all of you.” His point was that OT Scripture itself records that all men and women are gods, or potential gods, meaning Sons and Daughters of God, a part of the One God just as he was and is.

You are seeking an easy-peasy way out of life – just to “accept Jesus” and then you are supposedly “saved” by such an easy feat. And this is false theology.

We are in fact all potential and will-be fully Sons and Daughters of God, Jesus having been a mortal man just as we are who grew by self-effort into the full Son he was. The true spiritual Path is that every individual has to, by full self-effort, become closer and closer to God in Wisdom, Love, and Unity until we are all that Jesus was.

These are not “end times,” silly man. Do plan on a long and full life for yourself. And also plan on humanity existing for untold thousands of years to come. Which is why we need to indeed plan for future centuries and look after our planet today. Because we’re going to be here on it for a long time.

I choose the actual and real God, the ONE GOD Who actually lives in YOUR heart and gives you life, and is your real Identity, as that GOD is the real inner nature of each person. But you have not yet grown in spiritual discernment out of the old-fashioned, illogical and irrational theology which in fact Jesus never taught. Your spiritual future and progress depends upon you, yourself – not the “vicarious atonement” via a saviour. Jesus expects you to do it all, in every thought, word, and deed, and to achieve and accomplish your own deep and genuine spirituality. It is achieved step by step, bit by bit, by oneself, as every saint has proven.

Well, I hope and trust that you have a good and healthy life…. and when you get to about eighty, as people have had to do for almost untold centuries, you might finally realise that your theology of a “saviour” appearing in the clouds in a second coming is not going to happen. “For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” It will always have been there, inside yourself, waiting for you to birth it and expand it. [end of comments by David]

According to David, we are gods and simply have to seek this self-realization. There’s nothing special about Jesus, and He’s certainly not returning for His people in the Rapture. For all of us who believe that, dream on!

Not only do we have so many who disbelieve God’s Word, but a large group who twists it to their own purposes. Ezekiel experienced this, and in Ezekiel 13:3,6,8 God didn’t mince any words:

“Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!”

“They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the Lord,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.”

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you,’ declares the Lord God.”

But false prophets didn’t just plague the Israelites in Ezekiel’s day. They’ve been with us ever since. Look at Matthew 7:15-23 where Jesus said:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

God is against such devious men and women who claim to speak His Word. Their fabricated utterings earn them a dark and terrifying end where God says that He never knew them, despite their supposedly speaking for Him.

The group today that most resembles this situation is the apostles and prophets in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). They declare new revelation from God; they ensnare people who come to depend on them for a fresh word from Him. In their schools, conferences, and massive rallies, they more than likely open demonic pathways with their teachings that, when examined, closely align with those of the occult. When we look at how the NAR apostles and prophets operate, it’s through pride. They seek power, control, and money. Is it any wonder that Jesus wants nothing to do with them?

We live in an astonishing period right now where God’s Word is being fulfilled at a rapid pace. The prophecies of God are happening right now before our very eyes. More and more people are scoffing and mocking. It’s the enemy’s way of trying to discourage God’s people so that they’ll back down.  Instead, we need to act more boldly.

Hebrews 12:12 encourages us to:

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”

Now isn’t the time for retreat. Let us occupy and be about the Lord’s work. He is coming soon!

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Gary W. Ritter is a lay pastor, Bible teacher, and serves as Missions Director at his church.  He is also a prolific author.  His Whirlwind Series is comprised of three books: Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind, and There Is A Time.  These books are contained in the collected volume of the Whirlwind Omnibus.  Gary has been given the Christian Redemptive Fiction award for two novels: The Tattooed Cat and Alien Revelation.  He has recently released Looking Up – Volume 3, a non-fiction work that contains essays and devotions on end-times and prophetic events.  Gary’s intent in all his writings is to bring a strong Christian witness to what people read.  You can reach him at his website: www.GaryRitter.com or his Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/gritter3390.   You can also see his video Bible teachings on his Gary Ritter YouTube channel – look for the fish symbol.