Two Signs That Signal the Rapture

There are many signs associated with the second coming of Jesus Christ. In Matthew the 24th chapter, Jesus explained to his Jewish disciples what their world would look like at his return. Most signs regarding the last days relate to the tiny Jewish state of Israel and the last seven years of this age. “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. ”(Zech.12:3) The Rapture of the Church will precede the judgment of Israel and the subsequent return of Jesus to earth by seven years. During the Roman dispersion of 73 AD, all Jews were forced to leave their beloved homeland for a life of uncertainty in foreign lands. God did not abandon them and promised to return them to the land He had given them in the latter days. “I will gather the people of Israel from among the nations. I will gather them from all around and bring them back to their own land.”(Ezeh.37:21) He made them another promise upon their return. He would change their stony heart into one of love and recognition that Jesus Christ is their savior. “I will give you one heart and a new spirit; I will take from you your hearts of stone and give you tender hearts of love for God.”(Ezek.11:19) In 1948 the nation of Israel was reborn and returned to their land just as God had promised. The second promise remains unfulfilled. It will take God seven years to change the stony heart of Israel, but, the restoration of the state of Israel is the beginning of the last days and the first sign of an imminent Church Rapture.

The second sign is a bit more complicated, yet easy to recognize. Over the last few decades, there has been a slow but consistent decline in church activity. There is a strong but silent body of believers that find it hard to compete with today's increasing flood of technology and Godless ideologies. Science is becoming the surrogate god of a lost generation. Young christians fail to share their faith with friends for fear of ridicule. Children know more about celebrities than the God of creation. The decline of faith in the true God is obvious! The seven years of Israel's trouble mentioned above is orchestrated by one man. The man of sin is the embodiment of Hell and is called antichrist by the Bible. Before Jesus can make his triumphant return the person antichrist must be revealed. “That day of the Lord will not come until the turning away from God happens. And that day will not come until the Man of Evil appears, the one who belongs to hell.  He will stand against and put himself above everything that people worship or think is worthy of worship. He will even go into God’s Temple and sit there, claiming that he is God.” (2 Thes. 2:3-4)   If antichrist were to try a world takeover today the Church would recognize and expose him immediately.

The falling away from God is the second sign of an imminent Rapture. There is a generation whose majority wants nothing to do with God but will accept the antichrist. The Church of true believers are the agents of God on earth. When the Church is taken out of the way Hell will have no opposition. “And you know what is keeping him from being here already; for he can come only when his time is ready.  As for the work this man of rebellion and hell will do when he comes, it is already going on, but he himself will not come until the one who is holding him back steps out of the way.”(2 Thes. 2:6-7) These two signs are easy to recognize and should be taken seriously. The Bible is alive and makes no mistakes. If you are riding the fence with your faith its time to strengthen your relationship with God and introduce your loved ones to the same God. For more about God and the end of the age read “Beam me up Commander” it's free.