Starting with 2 Timothy 3:1-5: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)
Paul’s ministry was from about 34-36 AD until around 64-67 AD. Everything he listed in 2 Timothy 3 was written while he was in prison around 64-67 AD as he was waiting for his execution. Taking a look at current world events; it’s as if Paul were here today writing about what is taking place. The changes in this world just over the past couple of years have progressively gotten more intense day by day.
Going back to Jesus telling us about the end of this age in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, His message was at least 30-34 years before Paul’s predictions.
Matthew 24:4-13: “And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulations and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.’”
People are drawing away from anything that has to do with our Lord and Savior when we should be doing just the opposite. There are places, even in America, where the “letter” groups are being given more preference than the “Bible” people. It’s becoming against the law in some areas for parents to refuse to allow their kids to declare they’re a different sex than they were born with. This applies even to the younger children in the lower grades at school.
And of course, there’s a notable turning against Israel and Jewish people. Major universities here have allowed protests from groups that praise terrorists such as Hamas and Hezbollah. There were even protests about the release of the remaining hostages from the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel. There is a hatred for anything that has to do with Israel.
Just taking into account America’s disrespect of the Father’s chosen children, we can expect more discipline than ever before. Weather patterns and earthquakes have increased in intensity in more areas than ever before. Yet, no one seems to tie this in with Genesis 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you, I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” When God makes a covenant such as this one that He made with Abraham, He does not change His mind.
Jesus had no illusions about how the majority of the world would feel about Him. John 15:18-19; “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore, the world hates you.”
In 1 John 2:18-25, He gives us a strong warning about antichrists that were in the world 2,000 years ago, and their activities would only increase as we get nearer to the end of this age. He tells us that whoever has the Son also has the Father.
In 1 John 4:1-6, John tells us about false prophets who do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh to provide a pathway for all to the Father. Those false prophets are controlled by the spirit of the antichrist, and as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:3, they give messages for “itching ears.” They tell people what they want to hear rather than the truth that will save them.
And what is it that actually saves us? Romans 10:9-13: “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes, and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says that everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
For those who have not read my texts on this before, please know that when Paul talks of “with the mouth one confesses and is saved,” this does not rule out anyone who happens to be mute. God “hears” our very thoughts, and for those who cannot speak, your thoughts on this are the same as calling out (Psalm 139:1-6; Revelation 2:23; Jeremiah 17:10).
And please note, anyone who believes they can buy or earn their Salvation, this is absolutely an insult to our Heavenly Father. Ephesians 2:8-9 dispels this. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”
In some places in this world, just receiving and accepting Jesus as your Savior can subject a person to being arrested, and even martyred. Eventually, after all true believers are removed in the Rapture, and the ultimate antichrist comes into power, anyone worldwide who truly receives and accepts Jesus will be saved, but also more than likely martyred for doing so.
Today would be a good time to call out to Jesus to be your Savior, and to have a place prepared for you in Heaven forever (John 14:1-3).
The Rapture, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, could take place any day, any hour, and even any minute from now. The signs are all in place, and this is the last major event that will take place before the start of the seven-year tribulation. Only our Heavenly Father knows exactly when it will happen.
To be included in being taken up to meet Jesus in the air and receiving your new, forever immortal body, and having a mindset such as that of our Savior, this is a pre-reservation event. No one will have time to call out to confess they are a sinner and ask Jesus to forgive them and be their Savior before the Rapture is totally over. “Twinkling of an eye” in 1 Corinthians 15:52 has been calculated by experts to be less than one second.
Consider your forever. It will be in one of two places: Heaven or Hell, no matter what any false prophet may try to tell you. Make the best and most important decision ever by asking Jesus to be your Savior today. All who truly do so will not be turned away. His blood shed at Calvary covers all sins of those who call out to Him.
After getting a Bible version of a true translation you can understand, and reading from it daily is highly recommended.
No one can set the date that the Rapture will occur, but obviously, we are getting closer every day. Remember, Jesus is never too busy to take your call. Hope to see you soon at Home.
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)