Approaching Apocalypse :: By Terry James

The term “apocalypse” as related to the coming Tribulation (Daniel’s seventieth week) means the “unveiling” or “revelation.” Particularly, it is the revelation of Jesus Christ in all of His power and glory and in His judgeship over all of the world’s evil since Lucifer’s rebellion and the Fall of humankind in the Garden of Eden.

I’ve addressed many times the next step in Christ’s coming judgment over this fallen world. Jesus Himself used the word in giving what I believe is the most important prophecy for believers of this Church Age (Age of Grace):

“Also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30).

According to the Lord’s own words, the son of man will be revealed the very day that something occurs like it did in the days that Lot lived in the wicked city of Sodom. Again, the apocalypse—the unveiling or revealing of Jesus Christ—will take place when something happens just like it did in the days of Lot.

That “something” that brings about the revealing of Jesus in His power as Judge of the world’s evil has everything to do with Lot’s removal from Sodom. Here is what Lot was told in that regard before he and his family were taken from the doomed city:

“Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither” (Genesis 19:22a).

The angel charged with taking Lot and his family to safety because the city was about to be destroyed said they must be removed before the destruction could be carried out. Jesus is telling future believers in the Luke 17:28–30 prophecy that there is coming a time when we must be taken out of the wicked place we’re living in before He is revealed as Judge. The Lord said the place out of which we will be removed will be dealt with in judgment, just as Sodom and its left-behind residents.

Christ’s judgment–His revealing in his power as Judge—will begin at that very moment. The Apocalypse —that unveiling of power and authority—will begin the process of God destroying the present evil system of satanically inspired, humanistic government. In its place, through seven years of purging by twenty-one specific judgments—seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls—will come the Second Advent of Christ, the King of all kings, and His thousand-year reign on a restored, Eden-like earth—the Millennium.

Each week, I receive emails and phone calls in which I’m told, “I’ve never felt like this before. There’s something that makes me think we might not even reach the November 5 election.”

That sense of impending something-or-the-other indeed seems on the minds of many believers who are paying attention. I must admit, I’ve had those “feelings” in recent days.

Of course, we can’t go too far down the road on “feelings” because such sensations most generally are a mere reflection of human emotion. We’re confronted with all sorts of troubled symptoms of these times. Like old Lot, whom the Bible tells us was “vexed from day to day” with the ungodliness all around him in Sodom, we sometimes can see only a bleak future for ourselves and those we love.

Certainly, there seems a time immediately ahead that is portentous. There are so many symptoms that look exactly like the Lord Jesus described when He answered His disciples’ question: “What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the age?”

To the believer who observes from the pre-Trib view of Bible prophecy, it’s as if the time of the Apocalypse is very near indeed. God’s judgment–Jesus Christ revealed in His divine office of Judge—must be about to, like in the days of Lot prophecy, rain down a fire and brimstone-like cataclysm upon the ungodliness all around us.

We’re approaching Apocalypse, to be sure. Israel’s front-and-center positioning on this end-times geopolitical landscape isn’t happenstance or coincidence. The way the world is dealing with God’s chosen people makes it clear that this age of God’s grace and divine patience is about to end, and that the time of His apocalyptic judgment is poised above a planet ripe for the Almighty’s wrath.

So, in my estimation, it isn’t altogether beyond spiritual reasoning to look with trepidation at the very near future. It is an ominous picture, to be sure. However, it isn’t a picture filled with trepidation for believers. The darkening angst we rightfully have is for those who haven’t come to salvation.

As a matter of fact, for the believer in Christ’s sacrifice as the only Way to God the Father (John 14:6), the immediate future is bright with God’s glorious promise.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). 

We will, at any moment, in the “twinkling of an eye,” look into the eyes of our Lord and Savior. So, while we approach Apocalypse, let’s look at all the fearful signals happening in every direction as being but reminders of Jesus’ promise.

“And when ye shall see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

If you haven’t come to Christ for salvation, here once again is the way to make sure you will not be left behind to suffer the worst time in human history, but will go into the clouds of Glory to be with Jesus when He calls:

“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). 

*** Important Notice! ***

God The Holy Spirit is turning on the Light of God’s Truth in Pakistan and other areas of the Spiritually darkened world.

Again, I’m appealing to you, who understand through Holy Spirit Enlightenment just how late is the prophetic hour, to help us print and distribute the little book Prophecy Power: Strength From God To Face Your Future to the people of Pakistan.

Pastor Anil Jasper worked diligently to translate the Sunday school quarterly-sized book into his native language. The results have been powerful in helping turn on that Light of understanding about Jesus and His soul-saving Sacrifice. Anil reports that the book distribution is reaping great rewards in terms of his people accepting Christ –something that might not have happened if not for the presentation in our little book.

Please consider again supporting this effort, as time looks to be short, according to all prophetic stage-setting signals in the world today. We want to one day hear the words from our Lord: “Well done, good, faithful servant.”

Please go to the following to read more and contribute.

https://terryjamesprophecyline.com/2024/10/04/please-help-in-our-pakistan-missionary-effort/

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