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Proof of Jesus' Soon Return! The Rapture!
Are You Ready?!
Click here for the Biblical positions held by the author. (Note the suggestion regarding ease of reading the linked resourses)
Copyright (c) 2010 by Duane Gilchrist
Click on many internal live links for documentation. And, there are about 30 live links to excellant Christian resourses at the end!
Table of Contents
A Recent Discovery
General Last Day Signs
About the Rapture
Where is the USA in Prophecy?
How the Rapture Relates to Ezekiel 38 & 39
How the Anti-christ Might be Accepted
Jesus Christ Returns Victorious
Christ Ushers in the 1000 Year Reign
The Great White Throne Judgement
The New Heaven and the New Earth
The Public Aware of "Last Days" More Than in the Past
Be Sure to be Ready! Share the Good News! followed by:
Current events are "falling all over themselves" as they fulfill the requirements of Biblical prophecies telling us of our Lord's return!
Recently, I assembled a series of Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled perfectly, by the birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. This has stimulated my thinking about the nearness of His Second Coming!
Just today, I came across a reference to the December 2004 tsunami and was reminded, "How soon we forget"! For a few weeks we got much news of the worst natural disaster in recorded history, (outside of the Biblical Flood)! It's estimated to have taken 300,000 lives, leaving untold millions destitute. But now a few months down stream and we need a special effort to recall it and to include the unfortunate in our prayers!
This caused me to reflect on all the additional "signs of the times" that we are told of in the Scripture that set the stage for the soon return of our Lord Jesus. Just as the impact of the tsunami fades, the wonder of all these signs of the times being fulfilled can also fade. But, they are telling us that His return is near! Not the particular date, He left it as a surprise, but obviously, near!
Either sequence means He is coming SOON!
Click here for a revealing summary of this new discovery.
We should live and share this blessed, solid hope!
Also, this 2004 tsunami and recent associated earthquakes are among the many "birth pangs, signs" growing in frequency and intensity as His return draws near. Tsunamis, hurricanes and tropical storms are increasing in recent years. Click on the various years to see the recent increase in hurricanes and tropical storms: 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Each link furnishes a world map showing the number and direction of that year's storms. Jesus spoke of the seas and waves as a sign of His soon return.
Jesus also spoke of plagues and pestilences as a sign. Today, with all our skills in science, we now have TB&Aids, Ebola virus, Bird flu, Mad Cow Desease and many STDs, all very challenging and some admittedly without present hope!
Jesus described all these "signs" to be like birth pangs, which become more frequent and intense as the birth nears. "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs", Matthew 24:8
Click here for the summary of the "New Prophetic Discovery" that could speed the timeing of the Rapture!
Joe Lawendowski of the Berean Watchmen Ministry, writes a great article titled, "Identifying the Rapture", He correctly holds to the "Pre-Tribulation" timing of the Rapture.
Of course, all the turmoil in the Mid-East should also alert thinking Christians to get ready for His return! You may wonder, if there are any prophecies concerning the USA in the last days.
The USA in Prophecy?
How the Rapture Relates to Ezekiel 38 & 39
One can conclude that the Rapture and the Ezekiel 38 - 39 Battle, both occur just ahead of, or at the start of the 7 year Tribulation. This is the battle when Russia, allied with most of the Arab world, is drawn into an unsuccessful invasion of Israel!
The Watchman Bible Studies has a detailed study of this Ezekiel 38 - 39 Battle. The ministry also tracks current events pretaining to the coming Gog - Magog battle
Here's another interesting speculation - -
Personally, I have been reading of interesting speculations, suggesting that the Rapture could set the stage for the Anti-christ to surface, gaining world wide leadership with his explanations for the disappearance of the Christians throughout the world. He would step into the vacuum caused by vacated leadership etc.
Then, as he is in world leadership, the Ezekiel 38 - 39 Battle, takes place and he appears victorious. This victory, supports his claim that he is the promised Messiah.
How the Anti-christ Might be Accepted
This would be a fairly good, believable, counterfiet to deceive his followers. He will claim for himself, early in the Tribulation, what is actually going to happen, according to the Scriptures at the end of the Tribulation.
This is when Christ actually does defeat the Anti-christ in the real Battle of Armegeddon.
(End of speculations)
Jesus Christ Returns Victorious!
This is the second phase of His return.
(At the Rapture, the first phase, He meets His church in the air 1stThess.4:13-18).
He comes to Jerusalem, with the armies of Heaven. He conquers the Anti-christ along with all the nations of the world as they rebel against Him in the actual Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 19:11-21 and Zechariah 14:2-15!
Christ Ushers in the 1000 Year Reign
Following this battle, Christ does usher in the 1000 year reign of peace! Rev. 20:1-10, and Zechariah 14:16-21! There is a very brief, final rebellion at the end of the 1000 years, then the final destiny of Satan.
The Great White Throne Judgement
This is followed by the Great White Throne Judgement, where soon everyone will "bow the knee" to Jesus Christ. Some having Him as their Saviour and King and others as their judge!. Rev.20:7-15. The Christ rejectors are judged for their works and are "thrown into the lake of fire".
The New Heaven and the New Earth
Rev. 21 - 22 Tell us of the new Heaven and the New Earth and of our future eternity with our Saviour, forever marveling at His grace toward His own!
Well, I trust that this has been helpful and stimulating for you. It surely has been for me as I've assembled the pieces of it into this little e-book with much documentation for support!.
The Public Aware of "Last Days" More Than in the Past
Be Sure to be Ready! Share the Good News!
Here is one of the best explanations of the Christian faith and how to embrace it. A video, called, "The Ultimate Question".
Assembled by: Duane Gilchrist
