Rapture and End Times

But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Are we in the last days? Are we experiencing difficult times?

To know that, all we have to do is look out the window:

The news reports have taken a sharp turn for the worst:

Warning of ‘climate catastrophe,’ UN says 2020 among hottest years ever / Times of Israel, December 2, 2020

 

As an extreme year for hurricanes, wildfires and heatwaves comes to an end, the head of the United Nations challenged world leaders to make 2021 the year that humanity ends its “war on nature” and commits to a future free of planet-warming carbon pollution.

“The state of the planet is broken,” Guterres said in a speech at Columbia University. “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is suicidal.”

“Apocalyptic fires and floods, cyclones and hurricanes are increasingly the new normal,” he said.

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Post-election political estrangement has landed U.S. at ‘tipping point,’ warns world’s biggest hedge-fund manager / MarketWatch, December. 2, 2020

‘The United States is at a tipping point in which it could go from manageable internal tension to revolution and/or civil war.’

That’s Ray Dalio, the billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates, sounding the alarm in his latest LinkedIn post on the class and power struggles that are tearing the country apart.

“People and politicians are now at each other’s throats to a degree greater than at any time in my 71 years,” he wrote. “How the U.S. handles its disorder will have profound implications for Americans, others around the world, and most economies and markets.”

Additionally, Dalio used a chart to show how the U.S. is on the downside of its economic power, while China is in the midst of inflating its debt bubble:

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The Modern World Has Finally Become Too Complex for Any of Us to Understand / OneZero, December 1, 2020

I am here to tell you that the reason so much of the world seems incomprehensible is that it is incomprehensible. From social media to the global economy to supply chains, our lives rest precariously on systems that have become so complex, and we have yielded so much of it to technologies and autonomous actors that no one totally comprehends it all.

Vast systems, from automated supply chains to high-frequency trading, now undergird our daily lives — and we’re losing control of all of them.

As we all know, the more complicated something is, the more ways something can go wrong. We’ve had a few opportunities recently to see examples of this happening. Just this year we’ve watched the supply chains struggle under the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to shortages and misallocations of everything from protective masks to flour to toilet paper.

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Give Everyone a Barcode? China Trying to Use COVID Fears to Launch Global Tracking System for Humans / CBN News, November 24, 2020

China’s communist leader Xi Jinping is calling for countries across the world to accept a global COVID-19 tracking system that uses QR codes in an attempt to expedite international travel.

Xi proposed the concept during a virtual G20 leaders’ meeting on Saturday, noting that this “global mechanism” uses an electronic barcode that would help determine a traveler’s health status, according to China’s government-run “news” agency.

“China has proposed a global mechanism on the mutual recognition of health certificates based on nucleic acid test results in the form of internationally accepted QR codes,” Xi said. “We hope more countries will join this mechanism.”

Meanwhile, some people have expressed concerns over the use of a system that was designed by China’s communist party which is known for using extreme methods to control people through censorship and surveillance.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch tweeted, “Beware of the Chinese government’s proposal for a global QR code system. An initial focus on health could easily become a Trojan Horse for broader political monitoring and exclusion, akin to the dangers associated with China’s social-credit system.”

And some Christians say these technology-driven measures and tracking systems are another step toward the fulfillment of the End Times “Mark of the Beast” prophesied 2,000 years ago in the biblical book of Revelation.

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Many Christians feel that we are now at the “end” of the End Times. Events are spinning out of control.

The world needs a hero.

The Holy Bible is full of examples of heroes. They were heroes because of their faith:

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.

By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.

By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.

Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.

These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and he was offering his unique son, the one it had been said about, Your seed will be traced through Isaac. He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead, and as an illustration, he received him back.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.

By faith, after Moses was born, he was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin. For he considered the reproach because of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward.

By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees Him who is invisible. By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

And what more can I say?

Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Women received their dead—they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us. (Hebrews 11:1-40)

Another hero came into this world as a baby:

About two thousand years ago, God the Father sent Jesus Christ (the Son of God) into the world so that the world might be saved through Jesus. Jesus is the Word, which was with God in the beginning, and was God. The Word was made flesh by God causing an Israelite virgin named Mary to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Mary was the mother of this child, but there was no earthly father who had caused her to become pregnant. This child was named Jesus.

By the power of God, Jesus performed many miracles. Some of these miracles included healing all kinds of diseases, bringing dead people back to life, casting out demons, controlling the weather, walking on water, and turning water into wine.

Jesus lived a perfect life and did not sin. There were some people who did not like what Jesus was doing and plotted to have Him crucified. He was scourged, mocked, and hung on a cross until he died. Then, he was placed in a tomb. Just like the Passover lambs were offered and their blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin, Jesus was offered and his blood was shed. His perfect sacrifice was better than an animal sacrifice and by the shedding of his blood came the forgiveness of sins for all people once and forever.

Jesus was the ultimate hero, who paid the price for all mankind when he suffered on the cross. He took on himself the rebellion and sin of all mankind from the past, present and future.  So, even we have caused him the pain he suffered. He was the final sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice for all time.  No longer did man have to sacrifice animals to cover their sin because his ultimate sacrifice PAID the price for all time.

He arose from the dead three days later and appeared to his disciples and apostles and many witnesses. He returned to his Father in heaven, but before ascending he charged them to spread his teachings to all the nations of the world.

Who is a hero in today’s world? Where are the End Times heroes?

Are they the First Responders?

Are they the volunteers?

Is it the mother working from home to support her family?

Before He left the Earth, Jesus made a startling proclamation:

“I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

He was not just talking to the Apostles, but to all Christians who are true believers:

“Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

Christians can perform miracles like healing, casting out demons, changing the weather, and any of the other works of Jesus. You are in a unique position to help those around you, at this unique time in history.

We might not all be called to perform miracles, but we can all be heroes:

…if you offer yourself to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted one,
then your light will shine in the darkness,
and your night will be like noonday.
The Lord will always lead you,
satisfy you in a parched land,
and strengthen your bones.
You will be like a watered garden
and like a spring whose waters never run dry. (Isaiah 58:10-11)

Practical acts of charity can include holding open a door for someone, offering assistance, and helping someone trying to get a stroller down the steps. Every small interaction with another is an opportunity to have a positive impact on both of your lives. When you look, you’ll find opportunities to perform random acts of kindness:

• Donating to your favorite charity
• Letting someone else go first in a line
• Giving someone a compliment, and spread encouragement online
• Lending a hand to a neighbor or coworker
• Volunteering at a local charity or church
• Paying for the person behind you
• Giving a big tip to someone who served you

As you operate in a selfless mode, the ways to help others are endless!

Be the End Times Hero!

If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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Reader Comments:

In my view; everything [a convergence] the Bible prophetically states that will come to pass as “birth pangs”, is exponentially ramping up. It’s hard to deny that we’re seeing the alignment and the description of what it will be like before our Lord’s return.

We’ve created sanctuary cities for criminals and lawlessness is openly abounding on the streets and in U.S. and state governments; with outright voter fraud and news media supporting and condoning it, aiding and abetting their agenda. The Democrat’s, elites, liberals, secret organizations, the United Nations and its offshoots, global banking system, the Pope, environmentalists, etc.; are doing Satan’s bidding. The great reset and New World Order is just around the corner.

Probably the #1 question I’ve heard asked, “where is America in end-time prophecy?” My thoughts have always been; (1) we’re not in existence because of; natural disasters, God’s judgment on America, terrorist attacks, NBC attack, EMP, economic collapse, or a myriad of anything else. (2) For some reason we’re not willing or capable to get involved, come to the aid of Israel. (3) The Rapture has occurred.

We clearly see America is falling apart at the seams; socially, economically, and spiritually. A house [or country] divided cannot stand.

I’m stepping out on a limb here: Between now and the year 2028, we’re going to witness some amazing prophetic things come to fruition.

Dennis, December 6, 2020

Yes, we are the fig tree generation; it won’t be long now.

SONshine, December 6, 2020

Where are the End Times heroes? Where they always are just before God calls them forth: in the wilderness (both literally and metaphorically).

William, December 6, 2020

The end times heroes are those people who stand firm in their faith in Jesus for His protection through all that is prophesied to happen from now until He Returns.

It is obvious to anyone who looks at the situation in the Middle East, that there is nothing man can do that will resolve the critical issues there.

God will use people’s actions and His creation to achieve His purposes, as in the past, so according to Bible prophesy: at the point of an Islamic attack onto Israel, God will intervene with an explosion of the suns surface, Isaiah 30:26, Psalms 50:1-3, that will affect all the world, but in particular all the area of the holy Land. Deuteronomy 32:43

It is clear, from all the prophesied graphic descriptions: that this will be a terrible devastation by fire, earthquakes, storms and tsunamis and the result will virtually depopulate the entire Middle East. Ezekiel 30:2-5, Jeremiah 10:18

This event is the great and terrible Day of the Lords vengeance and wrath. Isaiah 63:1-6, Isaiah 66:15-16, Zephaniah 1: 14-18 & 3:8, Amos 1 & 2:1-5

Keraz, December 6, 2020

The news is all about the great socialist reset. As you probably already know . ITS one world beast system agenda my friend. We better be prepared to endure an all out hellacious persecution and persecutions in the coming times.

amigo de christo, December 6, 2020