Introduction: How close are we to the rapture? Although there will not be signs leading up to the “snatching away” of the Church – the bride of Christ – there will be SIGNS leading up to Christ’s second coming. This devotion will address the signs that are evident today but will intensify as it gets closer to Jesus’ second coming (not the rapture). (That deduction is derived by looking at the context of Scripture.) What signs are we talking about? Eleven. Check them out!
1. Lawlessness! (2Thess 2:7)
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.”
The streets of America and the world are filled with rioters and thugs. Their goal to steal, kill and destroy. Lawlessness is on the march….in a woke culture.
2. Deception! (Matt 24:4,5,11,24)
“4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
Lies and more lies. This describes what is going on today. Politicians, preachers, and people have bought into the “Big Lie” that man is his own god!
3. Pestilences! (Matt 24:7)
“..and there shall be famines, and pestilences.”
What’s next? Has all this outbreak with Covid been an attempt to push BIG GOVERNMENT (world wide) and the power of individuals who have hidden agendas to try to control of pharmaceutical companies and the world?
4. One World Government! (Rev 13, 18)
“Give me a man whether it be God or the devil” were words spoken years ago. Who can bring “Peace and safety” in a troubled world? The answer is only a world wide leader who controls a world wide government. This is on the horizon.
5. Wars and Rumors of Wars! (Matt 24:6)
“6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
Russia and Ukraine. Look at the coalitions that are forming; i.e. China, Iran, Russia, Syria, and maybe India, and perhaps Venezuela. Look at the E.U. and it’s partnership with America. Where is that heading? How about Israel and Saudi Arabia? Jordan? Iraq? Turkey? The lists goes on.
6. Anti Semitism! (Dan 7:25)
“25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”
Sad to say, even in American government, we have some Jew haters. Let me remind you that many Jews are blinded in seeing and trusting Jesus Christ as their Messiah. However, many will turn and trust in Him and be saved.
7. Antichrist! (Dan 9:27; Rev 13; 2Thess 2:4)
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
This is a pseudo peace plan. Apparently, it will only last for the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. Then the Antichrist will show his true colors when he kills all the Jews that he can. (Of course, not 144,000 who have been supernaturally sealed.)
8. Temple Rebuilding and Desecration (Matt 24:15)
“15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand.”
Preparations are under way as we speak for the rebuilding of the temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Antichrist will inhabit the next temple. But then Messiah’s temple will be rebuild according to Ezekiel’s prophecy.
Jesus Christ will rule and reign for 1,000 years called the KINGDOM period.
9. Apostasy! (2Thess 2:3)
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”
Obviously, we are living in days of apostasy. There is a great falling away from the truth of the Word of God. (Just read today only 20% of Americans believe the Bible is the Word of God- down from 24% in 2017.)
10. One World Currency! (Rev 13:16-18)
“16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
Food shortages. It is going to get worse after the rapture of the Church. The black horse rider of the apocalypse is a foreshadowing of what is to come. China has already implemented the yuan in their society. Along with China, Russia, and Iran have embraced this CBDC. The United States government as of this year in 2022 are doing research to develop a digital currency to replace the dollar as well.
11. One World Religion! (Rev 17:5)
“5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Man’s always wanted to be religious, even in the days of Nimrod who set up the first false religion in Babylon. This can be traced throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It is still prevalent today.
Conclusion: Sounds like today, doesn’t it? How close are we to the rapture? Stay faithful, “UNTIL HE COMES”! Keep looking up!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
