RAMP UP TO THE RAPTURE!

Saturday, March 16, 2019

RAMP UP TO THE RAPTURE!

2 Tim 3:1

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Matt 24:3-6

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Luke 21:25-26

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

           Two days ago, in New Zealand, the world was shocked to see idiotic ideology met by another idiotic ideology. This time it was not terror by Islam but horror delivered to Islam. I want to quickly declare that the perpetrator did not and does not represent my kind of Christianity.

           Is this the ramp up to the Rapture? Well, first, let’s not lose sight of the fact that times are bad and getting worse but this does not necessarily signal the end as Jesus said in Matthew 24. The systematic slaughter of six million Jews by the Nazis is such old news that some modern folks deny it ever happened. We have very short memories.

           Our response to increasing trouble should not be panic but preparation. The word “perplexity” in Luke 21 is from the Greek aporeo which means “to be in a quandary; to have or to see no way out.” Paul warned Timothy that “evil men would wax worse and worse” and then he gave him a simple command in 2 Timothy 3:14. The word “continue” means “to abide; to continue; to stand.”

Ps 37:7-8

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Dear Lord, we await your rescue from this evil world with some anxiety. Help us to be steady and to refrain from responding to evil with evil. Come, Lord Jesus. AMEN