Rushing The Rapture :: By Nathele Graham
I hear it so often: “I’m ready for the Rapture.” I must admit that I say it quite often myself. The world situation seems to get worse and worse each day.
The hatred toward Israel is supernaturally evil, and there are so many people who hate Donald Trump because he’s trying to get America back on the right track. There’s a war between Russia and Ukraine, and Hamas just spreads its evil violence everywhere. Syria has just had an upheaval of their leadership; Assad ran off to Russia for protection while another group of terrorists took over. It’s just a matter of time until Isaiah 17:1 is fulfilled and Damascus becomes a ruinous heap.
It amazes me that so many people seem to support all things that are opposed to God. Not only politically but morally. The “alphabet” group who want respect and acceptance but do nothing to earn respect are truly in need of salvation.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
That seems to describe life today. What is it that causes people to choose evil ways over good?
Satan is the one who influences us to choose evil. He has been around since the beginning, and he is opposed to God. Satan encourages the spirit of antichrist. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18).
We are living in the last days. The Apostle John wrote those words many centuries ago, and it seems as if he was expecting Jesus to return at any moment. Brothers and sisters, we should have that same mindset. It’s obvious that the spirit of antichrist is strong, and that should tell us that the Rapture is nearing.
What does John mean when he uses the term “antichrist”? The Greek word is “antichristos,” and according to Vines Expository Dictionary, it can mean either “against Christ” or “instead of Christ.” We can see that spirit all around us. So many people choose to worship the god of this world, Satan, and allow his evil to rule. Instead of repenting of sin and letting Christ rule in one’s life, many choose to embrace the god of self and worship the ways of the world.
Until Christ calls us Home, we have to live in this world. Temptations and sin are all around us, and the evil seems to be growing stronger. It would be a relief if we didn’t have to live where so many people are opposed to Jesus and see Christians as a threat to their “fun.” In many countries, it is unlawful to follow Christ. Persecution is strong, and I admire any Christian who can rise above the persecution and stand firm on their faith. Jesus knew that His followers would face many challenges, and His final prayer included a prayer for you and me. He asked for God the Father to protect us.
“And now come I to thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:13-17, 20).
If all Christians were gone from the world, there would be great tribulation. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and He restrains the full spirit of antichrist from controlling all people. A day is coming when all Christians will be taken Home to be with the Lord, and students of prophecy can see it will be soon. Evil is growing stronger, many preachers are preaching to tickle ears instead of standing solid on Scripture, and the evil hatred of Israel is growing stronger. These are all attitudes that tell us time is growing short.
The spirit of antichrist is powerful but has no power over the true Christ. Christians must not embrace the world but be strong in our faith and follow Christ without wavering. There will be a man who is more than the spirit of antichrist. He will be known as the Antichrist. It’s my belief that this man is alive today and will only show himself after Christians are raptured.
The Apostle Paul spent three weeks in Thessalonica and taught the new believers there about the Rapture. Life held troubles for them, and they became concerned that they had missed the Rapture. They listened to false teachers who confused God’s truth, so Paul wrote to straighten out their thinking.
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
The King James wording is a bit hard to understand, so let’s see it in the New King James. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, NKJ).
Only God can restrain sin, so we can be sure it is God the Holy Spirit restraining the evil that will take over the earth. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so when we are taken Home in the Rapture, the Antichrist will have nothing to restrain his evil. Don’t misunderstand me; the Holy Spirit will still be active on earth, and people will come to faith during the Tribulation, but they will not be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It will be very difficult for them.
I would like to rush the Rapture. This world is getting darker and more wicked every day. Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, and it’s hard to keep up with it all. The pieces are all falling into place quickly. As we watch the signs of the times, we can see that Israel is under tremendous attack, but they are beginning to get ready to rebuild the Temple, and the Anti-Christ will allow that to happen. He will occupy the Temple, causing the Abomination of Desolation described by Daniel and by Jesus to happen. We can also see the stage being set for the Ezekiel war.
AI will certainly play a huge part in the final days, and I believe it is making the way for the Mark of the Beast. These are things that will take place after the Rapture. Brothers and sisters, the Rapture is our Blessed Hope. God has not appointed us to wrath, but Christ will take His bride to be with Him to protect us.
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:12-15).
Only God knows when the Rapture will take place. It isn’t dependent upon a day or Jewish feast, but it is dependent upon a number. When Jesus walked this earth, He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies. The Scribes and Pharisees studied the Law and the Prophets but twisted God’s words to fit their own self-interest. Many modern preachers do that same thing. Because Christ, the Messiah, was rejected by the Jewish leaders, the nation was blinded, so they couldn’t accept Him. At that time, God turned His focus from Israel to Christians, but that will change after the Rapture. God’s focus will return to Israel, and when they call upon Jesus as their Messiah, He will fight for them. Much will happen before then. The Rapture must happen first. If you desire to rush the Rapture, then share the Gospel with others; bring them to faith in Christ.
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25).
Be sure of your own faith and have answers for questions you will be asked. Prepare in advance, and pray continually.
God doesn’t want anybody to die without coming to salvation through Jesus. Sometimes it seems as if God is very slow to take us Home, but that’s because He wants everyone to have the opportunity for salvation.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:19).
We can’t rush the Rapture, but we can share the Gospel and give others the opportunity to come to Christ before it’s too late. Maybe that is rushing it.
Keep listening for His call for all Christians to join Him in eternity. What a day that will be!
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
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