Closer Than Ever :: By Daymond Duck
I cannot count the number of times (but it is a lot) that I have told someone that I believe we are getting close to the Rapture, and they said, “I don’t know about that, but I know that we are one day closer than we were yesterday.”
True! And it will be true every day right up to the day of the Rapture.
But whether I am right or wrong about our getting close to the Rapture, I must admit that those who say we are one day closer than we were yesterday strike me as not having much understanding of how current events are aligning with Bible prophecy.
I am not saying they are bad people, and I don’t believe they are.
But I am saying Jesus said we can know when we are close, and it seems obvious that they are not watching.
I may be reading too much into the re-election of Donald Trump, but it seems to me that Bible prophecy could be about to take a major leap forward.
Many expert Bible prophecy teachers believe the convergence of all the signs is the number one indicator that we are closer than ever to the Rapture and Second Coming.
All the signs are converging.
Those same expert Bible prophecy teachers say the second most important sign is the Fig Tree (Israel; Matt. 24:32).
The things that I am reading about Trump’s past relationship with Israel, the lovers of Israel that he has brought into his second presidency, his promises to Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu and Israel, etc., sound like they are coming right off the pages of the Bible.
I think they are screaming, ‘Get ready; we are closer than ever.’
Here are some of those things.
One, concerning worship on the Temple Mount: on Jan. 20, 2025, a group of Christian and Jewish worshippers gathered on the Temple Mount because they believe the dream of true religious freedom at Judaism’s holiest site appears closer than ever to becoming reality.
They prayed,
- To highlight Trump’s unmatched record of support for Israel, including his bold recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital.
- To pray for the success of Pres. Trump in his second term.
- To ask for God’s help over the next four years of the Trump administration to start at the Temple Mount and extend Israeli sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria.
(My opinion: The freedom for Jews to worship on the Temple Mount will be a reality, but the Antichrist will put an end to it in the middle of the Tribulation Period; Dan. 9:27.)
Two, concerning Judea and Samaria: during her confirmation hearings on Jan. 1, 2025, Elice Stefanik, Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to the UN, was asked if she subscribes to the view of those who believe that Israel has a biblical right to the entire West Bank (Judea and Samaria).
Stefanik said, yes.
(My opinion: There will be a large number of Jews living in Judea when the Antichrist defiles the Temple at the middle of the Tribulation Period, and many will flee into the mountains; Matt. 24:15-16.)
Three, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog: on Jan. 20, 2025, hundreds of people gathered at The Friends of Zion Museum in Israel to watch the inauguration of Pres. Trump.
The Museum founder, Mike Evans, a friend of Trump and Netanyahu, said,
- We evangelicals believe in Genesis, where God says, I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee.
- When America blesses Israel, God blesses America.
Evans also predicted significant developments in the region.
- There’s no doubt Trump will support Israel in taking action against Iran, recognizing it as a mutual enemy of Israel and the West.
- We will soon witness Saudi Arabia coming closer to Israel, and peace will expand, with Egypt contributing to the long-awaited change in the Middle East.
(My opinion: Israel taking action against Iran could trigger the Battle of Gog and Magog. Also, sudden destruction will come when people say peace and safety.)
(More: On Jan. 25, 2025, Pres. Trump released 1,800 one-ton bunker-buster bombs that the Biden administration had been withholding from Israel. When asked why Trump released them, Vice-Pres. Vance said because Israel bought them.)
(More: In a letter on Jan. 26, 2025 congratulating Pete Hegseth as the new U.S. Sec. of Defense, Israel’s Sec. of Defense said Israel may have to act against Iran in the coming months.)
Four, concerning the Two-State Solution: on Jan. 23, 2025, it was reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is willing to manage the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas war is over if the Palestinian Authority (PA) asks them to do so.
According to the report, the UAE is willing to rebuild Gazan society in such a way that it won’t pose a threat to Israel again.
Some officials think Israel might accept this because the UAE has:
- Opposed radical Islam and Jihad in the past.
- Opposed corruption in the PA and demanded reform.
- Already overhauled its own education system to remove Islamist, anti-Israel, anti-Semitic content.
- Operated hospitals and a desalination plant in Gaza.
(My opinion: This could fall through if the PA refuses to ask the UAE to take over the government of Gaza. Also, it is a mistake to overlook the fact that Bible prophecy teaches that God will drag the nations into the Battle of Armageddon for dividing the land of Israel at the end of the age.)
Five, On Jan. 23, 2025, Ken Ham (author, speaker, CEO, and founder of The Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter) had an excellent reminder that the Christian’s hope is in God, not Pres. Trump.
Ham said:
- Americans are feeling hopeful.
- But even as Christians rejoice in a new administration that will do more to promote righteousness and human flourishing than the previous one, we need to remember a vital truth: our hope is not in politics.
- Yes, we can be thankful for the results of the election.
- We can and should praise God for His mercy in sparing us another term of rabidly pro-abortion, pro-LGBTQ, and anti-freedom leaders.
- We should be thankful for the changes we’re already seeing in our culture and in major corporations as they walk back their woke policies.
- But we must always view everything through the Biblical lens of the God who is sovereign over all and who calls us, whether things are “good” or “bad” in this nation, to be about his business until he returns.
(More: On Jan. 21, 2025, following his swearing-in ceremony as the new U.S. Sec. of State, former Fla. Sen. Marco Rubio said, “I want to end by thanking Almighty God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Jesus is Rubio’s hope, and Jesus is the Christian’s only hope.)
Six, concerning illegal immigration: as of Jan. 23, 2025 (three days after he was inaugurated), the U.S. had already arrested 538 illegal aliens and suspected terrorists.
Hundreds had already been deported on military aircraft.
According to Trump, a nation without borders is not a nation.
(More: On Jan. 22, 2025, it was reported that Pres. Trump has deployed 1,500 active-duty troops at America’s southern border and is preparing to deploy 2,000 more Marines to close it.)
Seven, concerning Hamas’ release of three hostages, on Jan. 23, 2025, highly regarded prophecy teacher Amir Tsarfati wrote:
- Sunday saw the return of the first of the October 7 hostages who were promised to be released under the new ceasefire agreement. It was a time for joy and celebration, which was felt through all the cities and towns of Israel. However, it was a muted rejoicing for a couple of reasons. First, there are dozens more who are still being held captive by the Gazan terrorists. Second, we haven’t forgotten what started this whole horror. There is no gratitude felt toward Hamas for giving us back what rightly belongs to our nation. There is no recognition of mercy, no outpouring of thanksgiving. If someone steals my car, should I be thankful when they return it, dented and chipped? How much less so when we’re talking about the theft of people?
(More: It was recently reported that the U.S. believes that Hamas has recruited 10-15,000 new recruits to replace those that have been killed or captured.)
Eight, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters: the National Weather Service reported the following numbers for snow on Jan. 21, 2025:
- Grand Coteau, Louisiana – 13.4″
- Babbie, Alabama – 11.0″
- Lafayette, Louisiana – 10.5″
- Bay Springs, Florida – 10.0″
- Milton, Florida – 9.8″
This was the largest snow on record for some areas.
(More: On Jan. 24, 2025, record-breaking wind (114 mph) left about 700,000 people in Ireland without electricity.)
Nine, concerning Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon: Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon agreed to a 60-day ceasefire during which time Hezbollah was supposed to withdraw its troops to the north side of the Litani River, the Lebanese army was supposed to take over the territory Hezbollah abandoned, and Israel was then supposed to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.
The 60 days were up on Jan 26, 2025, but the Lebanese army had not deployed its troops to take over the territory Hezbollah abandoned.
On Jan. 23, 2025, Israel said Lebanon had violated the agreement by not deploying troops, so Israel would not withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon.
(More: On Jan. 26, 2025, hundreds of flag-waving supporters of Hezbollah tried to break through Israeli roadblocks and go to villages near Israel’s border in southern Lebanon despite Israeli warnings to not do it. Lebanon reported that 22 people were killed and 124 were wounded before the others turned back.)
(More: On Jan. 26, 2025, it was reported that the Israeli-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon has been extended until Feb. 18, 2025. The ceasefire is contingent upon Hezbollah withdrawing its forces to the north side of the Litani River.)
Ten, concerning Israel expanding its borders at the end of the age: on Jan. 24, 2025, it was reported that Israel has now severed strategic sites on the Syrian side of Mt. Hermon.
During the six weeks that have passed since the fall of Assad’s government, Israel has cleared out land mines, widened a road going toward Damascus, taken over dozens of former Syrian positions, found a large number of abandoned Syrian weapons, and built a good facility for its own troops (showers, toilets, heating systems, a fully equipped kitchen, weather-appropriate bedding, furniture, clothing, and abundant provisions).
From observation posts on Mt. Hermon, on a clear day, Israeli troops can now see Damascus 15 miles away.
Eleven, concerning world government and the tracking of all buying and selling: on Jan. 23, 2025, Pres. Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from establishing, issuing, or promoting central bank digital currencies.
It is over my head, but Trump seems to favor a cryptocurrency. He has promised to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the planet, and he has established a working group to explore its regulation and use.
Twelve, concerning a seven-year covenant of peace with many that could possibly be confirmed (strengthened) by the Antichrist at a later date: in late October 2024, more than 90 nations (many nations), including representatives from the U.S. and Israel, met in Saudi Arabia to push for the creation of a Palestinian state.
This group of many nations called itself the Global Alliance.
The October meeting was quickly followed by two more meetings (on Nov. 11 and Nov. 24, 2024).
The reported goal of the Global Alliance is to put in place a seven-to-ten-year peace agreement that would divide the Land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem via a two-state solution.
Since those first three meetings, we have learned that the Global Alliance is planning to meet at the UN during the first week of June 2025 to draft a treaty that they hope to ratify in Sept. 2025.
We need to be careful about this.
It could eventually be the covenant the Antichrist confirms (strengthens), but we don’t know that, and we don’t know how much time will pass before he confirms a covenant (Dan. 9:27).
We know what the Global Alliance goal is, when the next meeting will be, what the Global Alliance hopes to pass, and when they want it to go into effect, but we do not know that they will get what they want, what Trump will do, or how Israel will respond.
We also know that power must be given to Ten global leaders and the Rapture must happen before the Antichrist confirms the 7-year treaty with many.
Anyway, the Tribulation period will begin when the Antichrist confirms a covenant with many for 7 years, and more than 90 nations have met and called for a covenant of peace for 7-10 years.
Let’s watch this carefully because it looks like it could be a very big deal, but let us not jump to conclusions.
Thirteen, concerning world government: on Jan. 23, 2025, on video Pres. Trump addressed the world’s most powerful globalist elites that had gathered in Davos, Switzerland for their annual World Economic Forum (WEF).
UN Sec. Gen. Guterres urged the nations to phase out fossil fuels, but Trump made it clear that the U.S. would increase its production and use of fossil fuels.
Trump added that he would ask OPEC and Saudi Arabia to cut the price of their oil and natural gas so nations would use more.
Trump’s predecessor Biden went all in on the Green New Deal, but Trump made it clear that he would not abide by the “Green New Scam.”
The WEF has strongly supported Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, but Trump said they are “absolute nonsense” and “America will be a merit-based country.”
And before he stopped, Trump told the WEF, “There are only two sexes, male and female.”
(My opinion: Nothing has to happen before the Rapture, but the UN must be restructured, the Ten Kings must appear before the Antichrist confirms the covenant, and that could happen very fast after the Restrainer is removed. Trump’s one-year notice that he is pulling out of the WHO, his sanctions on the ICC, his rejection of the WEF agenda, his decision to temporarily stop funding the UNRWA, etc., will force the UN to make some major changes.)
(BTW: I do not mean to suggest that Trump is not sincere about MAGA because I believe he is, and I am for that, but I believe his policies will force the globalists to make changes that will fulfill the Word of God.)
Fourteen, concerning tracking everyone: the Biden administration was in the process of hiring 88,000 new IRS agents and authorizing them to carry guns.
On Jan. 25, 2025, Trump said he is considering a decision to terminate all of them or to send them to the border with Mexico where help with border security is needed and their guns will be helpful.
Fifteen, concerning perilous times at the end of the age: on Jan. 28, 2024, scientists moved the hands on the doomsday clock to 89 seconds to midnight because of nuclear risks, climate change, biological threats, AI technology, etc.
FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).
Finally, are you Rapture Ready?
If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.
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