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Watch! Jesus did not identify any signs to help us know when the Rapture will occur. However, He DID identify signs that will precede the Great Tribulation. The following analysis will show that, according to the Lord's list of signs, the time of the Great Tribulation is drawing near. VERY near! As discussed on previous pages, we know that the Rapture will take place BEFORE the Great Tribulation. The Rapture could precede the Tribulation by only a few minutes, or several days, or even a number of years. Accordingly, the Lord summarized His teachings on this subject with just one word -- WATCH!		(Jesus said...) Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming -- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! Mark 13.35-37
Part 7: Signs Leading Up to the Great Tribulation
The sign of false Christs and false religions The first sign Jesus mentioned was that of counterfeit Christs.		(Jesus said...) Many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. Mt 24.5
Several other New Testament passages give added details about this sign, as shown by the verses quoted alongside. In summary, as the Great Tribulation draws near... There will be increasing numbers of false religions and false teachers, bringing messages of heresy and cultic mysticism to huge audiences throughout the world. Many "Christian" organizations -- churches, denominations, seminaries, etc. -- will fall away from Biblical truths and teachings. Rather than seeking the truth of God, many people will have "itching ears," and seek out teachers/preachers who will amaze and entertain them with false miracles, showmanship, and "religious extravaganzas."		Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron 1 Tim 4.1-2 ...there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet 2.1b For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Tim 4.3-4
The sign of wars throughout the world Wars are yet another sign that the end is near. In the final days, we will see war after war after war. Our news media will continuously be filled with reports of regional wars, riots, and rebellions throughout many nations of the world. In the last days there will be WORLD Wars -- Nation against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom.		(Jesus said...) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Mt 24.6-7a
The signs of famine, incurable diseases, and cataclysmic disasters When you see hundreds of thousands of people dying of hunger, know then that the end is near. When you see incurable diseases that decimate vast populations throughout the world (pandemics), know then that the end is near. When you see cataclysmic disasters -- increasingly severe and frequent earthquakes, great floods, terrible droughts, global warming, fiercer and fiercer storms -- know then that the end is near.		(Jesus said...) There will be: famines pestilences and earthquakes in various places. Mt 24.7b
The sign of increasing persecution of God's people As the final days draw near, the world's hatred and persecution of God's people (the church and Israel) will become increasingly severe... Concerning the church: The things we now take for granted -- prayer, worship, holy matrimony, family values, godly living -- will increasingly be scorned, derided, hated, AND ILLEGAL. Concerning Israel: Israel's enemies will become increasingly hostile and aggressive. Her friends will weaken and fall away from their resolve to preserve and defend her. Anti-Semitism will become rampant throughout the world.		(Jesus said...) Then they will deliver you (God's people) up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. Mt 24.9
Birthing the Baby As Jesus was telling us the signs of the last days, He made the statement quoted in the verse alongside. Namely, Jesus said that all these signs are "the beginning of sorrows."		All these are the beginning of sorrows <odin>. Mt 24.8
"Sorrows" translates the Greek word odin. Odin literally refers to the pains of a pregnant woman who is in the process of giving birth to a baby. Birth pains begin hours or even days BEFORE the baby is born. The initial birth pains are small, often just a brief twitch. As the time for the baby's birth gets closer, the pains become increasingly intense, more frequent, and longer lasting. Finally, at the actual birth, there is a great paroxysm of pain, as a new life enters the world. If you want an idea how this feels, just shove a prune through one of your nostrils!		Strong's Concordance #5604. odin a pang or throe, especially of childbirth
In other words, what Jesus told us in Mt 24.8 is that... #1 - The signs of the coming Tribulation will commence quite a long time BEFORE the Tribulation's actual inception. #2 - The signs will RECUR again and again -- NOT all in one fell swoop. #3 - As the time of the Tribulation draws nearer and nearer, the signs will grow in intensity and extent, and they will come closer and closer together. #4 - The final paroxysm of birth pain will be the Great Tribulation itself. #5 - The fruit of all this agony will be the Second BODILY Advent of Lord Jesus to Planet Earth.
The agony and the ecstasy... (Jesus said...) A woman, when she is in labor, Has sorrow because her hour has come. However, as soon as she gives birth, She no longer remembers the anguish. Instead, she rejoices because a New Life Has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; But I will see you again. When I return your heart will rejoice, And your joy NO one will ever take from you! John 16.21-22
Soon and very soon! Based on the signs we are now seeing... The world situation is VERY *pregnant*. The *birth pains* are increasingly intense. Ergo, we know that the Great Tribulation is much nearer than before, but we still don't know exactly HOW near.		(Jesus said...) So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors! Mt 24.33 (Jesus said...) But of that day and hour (of His return) no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Mt 24.36
Part 8: How Then Should We Live?
If you are NOT a believer on Messiah Jesus... The goal of Bible prophecies is to move you to TAKE ACTION. If you want eternal life -- if you do not want to be LEFT BEHIND at the Rapture -- there is only one course of action for you. It is described by the Bible verses in the panel alongside.		If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, And believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, You WILL be saved! For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Rom 10.9-11
The time is short. Do it NOW!		Behold, now is the accepted time! Behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6.2b
If you ARE a believer on Messiah Jesus... Comfort one another with God's unbreakable promise of the soon-coming Rapture. Christian life in America will become increasingly more difficult in these last days. Some will grow fearful of even confessing the Lord. Comfort and exhort them to "Look Up!"		Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thes 4.18 (Jesus said...) Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Lk 21.28
Get SERIOUS about prayer!		But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 1 Pet 4.7
Remain IN the world, but be not OF the world. God does not want His people hiding themselves away in little "Christian enclaves.		(Jesus prayed to the Father...) I do not pray that You should take them (God's people) out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. John 17.15-16
Right up until the moment of the Rapture, you are to keep right on doing your jobs -- the job of worshipping and serving God, AND the job that puts bread on your family's table. God wants you to fulfill your obligations. Live your earthly life. Pay your bills. Be a good steward of your worldly and spiritual resources. Keep on keeping on!		For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 2 Thes 3.10 (In a parable, Jesus said...) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Mt 24.45-46
Be ready. Will Jesus be pleased or distressed by your activities at the precise instant in time that He raptures you? Be READY to be raptured.		(Jesus said...) Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Mt 24.44
And above all -- Watch. MARANA THA!		(Jesus said...) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Mt 25.13
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, Let him take the water of life freely. Jesus who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ Be with you all. Amen. Rev 22.17, 22.20-21
If you missed Page 1 of the Rapture Study CLICK HERE