Are We There Yet?
Given all the signs of the times we are seeing, whilst simultaneously living through the time of the signs, it is becoming easier to ask God why He has yet to return. You’ve asked Him. I’ve asked Him. And it’s not wrong to ask. In fact, it’s natural for us to want to know when we will be leaving. Just as natural as kids on a road trip ask their parents, “Are we there yet?”
Many are asking then, how many more abominations, atrocities, and apostasies do we have to endure before we see our promised deliverance? How many murdered children and terrorist attacks do we have to bear witness to before God finally judges this world and restores righteousness to it? How many blasphemous and wicked celebrations that our own governments are mandating do we have to tolerate before we are taken up? Even non-believers are beginning to ask these questions because the scale of wickedness only seems at a tipping point.
If you are uncertain on this point, the Bible is absolutely clear that there will be a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. Don’t let anyone rob of you that blessed hope (Titus 2:13, Rev. 3:11). If the Rapture wasn’t before the Tribulation, and the church (not the Jews or the Tribulation saints) were expected to go through it, the New Testament would be replete with guidance for the church on how to survive it. In particular, the epistles would be replete with guidance on how to navigate through the 21 divinely appointed judgments God unleashes upon the world.
Instead of writing about how to be a Christian and looking for Christ's return; Paul, James, Peter, and John would be talking about looking for this coming “man of sin” who will take over the entire world. They would be laying out steps the church could take to weather the coming storm. They would give instruction on how to survive in a world that is wholly given over to Satan without restraint.
Strangely, there is no such guidance found in the Bible from the book of Acts through Revelation 4:1.
Remember, Noah wasn’t rescued during the Flood. Lot wasn’t told to hunker down and endure through the fire and brimstone storm. No, their deliverance was always before, not during, or after.
Many are asking then, how many more abominations, atrocities, and apostasies do we have to endure before we see our promised deliverance? How many murdered children and terrorist attacks do we have to bear witness to before God finally judges this world and restores righteousness to it? How many blasphemous and wicked celebrations that our own governments are mandating do we have to tolerate before we are taken up? Even non-believers are beginning to ask these questions because the scale of wickedness only seems at a tipping point.
If you are uncertain on this point, the Bible is absolutely clear that there will be a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. Don’t let anyone rob of you that blessed hope (Titus 2:13, Rev. 3:11). If the Rapture wasn’t before the Tribulation, and the church (not the Jews or the Tribulation saints) were expected to go through it, the New Testament would be replete with guidance for the church on how to survive it. In particular, the epistles would be replete with guidance on how to navigate through the 21 divinely appointed judgments God unleashes upon the world.
Instead of writing about how to be a Christian and looking for Christ's return; Paul, James, Peter, and John would be talking about looking for this coming “man of sin” who will take over the entire world. They would be laying out steps the church could take to weather the coming storm. They would give instruction on how to survive in a world that is wholly given over to Satan without restraint.
Strangely, there is no such guidance found in the Bible from the book of Acts through Revelation 4:1.
Remember, Noah wasn’t rescued during the Flood. Lot wasn’t told to hunker down and endure through the fire and brimstone storm. No, their deliverance was always before, not during, or after.
Revelation Chapter 3
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION 2-3
According to Revelation 1:11, the book was written to seven congregations in Asia, modern Turkey. For 2,000 years, scholars have wondered why such an important message would be sent to these churches since they weren’t even the most important of their day, let alone now…The answer lies in the realization that the letters of chapters 2 and 3 have a representative as well as a specific purpose. They can be read with four levels of application.
The first level is historical. These seven churches really existed, and each was experiencing the particular problem to which the Lord referred as He dictated the letters to John. Second, since all the churches were to read all the letters, the letters were also admonitory to all. Third, since both the challenge and promise with which each letter ends are personal rather than corporate, the letters were for individuals as well as congregations. And fourth, read in the order in which they appear they outline church history and so are prophetic.
🔸They chronicle the gap between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27)🔸
The first level is historical. These seven churches really existed, and each was experiencing the particular problem to which the Lord referred as He dictated the letters to John. Second, since all the churches were to read all the letters, the letters were also admonitory to all. Third, since both the challenge and promise with which each letter ends are personal rather than corporate, the letters were for individuals as well as congregations. And fourth, read in the order in which they appear they outline church history and so are prophetic.
🔸They chronicle the gap between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27)🔸
Thanks To Pete Garcia For This Article