There’s an old adage about storms or rain that some of you might be familiar with: "I can feel it in my bones." It's a curious phenomenon, isn’t it? The body, in all its frailty, sometimes warns us of approaching weather through aches and pains. For some, it’s a sign to batten down the hatches, take shelter, or prepare for the inevitable downpour. But what if I told you that the spiritual climate of our world is signaling something much more profound than a simple storm? What if the pains and groans we feel today are not just physical but spiritual, pointing to the coming of an event so significant that it will change the course of history forever?
I am here to tell you: the Rapture is coming. I can feel it in my bones. Just as the body alerts us to approaching storms, the signs around us are screaming out that the return of Jesus Christ is near. Are we paying attention? Or are we like the Pharisees, whom Jesus criticized for their ability to predict the weather but their failure to discern the signs of the times?
The Pharisees and the Signs of the Times
In Luke 12:54-56, Jesus sharply rebuked the people, saying:
“And He was also saying to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, “A shower is coming,” and so it turns out. And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, “It will be a hot day,” and it turns out that way. You hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not discern this present time?’”
Jesus condemned them for their spiritual blindness. They were adept at reading natural signs but failed miserably at recognizing the spiritual signs of the times. They could forecast the weather but were oblivious to the fulfillment of prophecy unfolding right before their eyes.
This same rebuke can be applied to us today if we fail to recognize the signs of the impending Rapture. As believers, we must not fall into the trap of being so consumed with the daily grind and the cares of this world that we miss the profound spiritual shifts happening all around us.
Why We Are Ripe for the Rapture
The Bible outlines several indicators that should alert us to the nearness of Christ’s return. The Rapture, the event in which all born-again believers will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air before the Tribulation begins, is on the horizon. The signs are not just present; they are intensifying, like labor pains that grow stronger and closer together before the birth of a child. This list below is not exhaustive. I’m only going to give you three reasons why we are ripe for the Rapture.
The Rebirth of Israel: The Center of Global Geopolitics
One of the most significant prophetic events in modern history was the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948. This event marked the beginning of the prophetic clock ticking toward the end times. The fact that Israel exists as a nation today is nothing short of a miracle. The prophet Isaiah foresaw this event when he wrote, “Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once?” (Isaiah 66:8). The re-establishment of Israel in its ancient homeland after nearly two millennia of dispersion is a clear sign that we are living in the last days. The rebirth of Israel is not just a miraculous fulfillment of prophecy; it has also positioned Israel as the focal point of global geopolitics. Despite being a nation the size of New Jersey, Israel drives much of the world’s geopolitical agenda, influencing international policies, alliances, and conflicts.
Israel is often referred to as the "hour hand" of God’s prophetic clock. As Israel moves, so does the world. Jerusalem, the capital city, is the "minute hand," signifying the urgency and proximity of prophetic fulfillment. Finally, the Temple Mount is the "second hand," the most precise indicator of the nearness of the end times. The increasing focus on these three—Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount—underscores the lateness of the hour.
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Jerusalem became the center of global attention as Israel recaptured the Old City, including the Temple Mount, for the first time in nearly 2,000 years. This event was not just a political or military victory; it was a prophetic milestone that reverberated around the world. Since then, Jerusalem has remained at the forefront of international news, a city of contention and divine significance.
Today, we see the Temple Mount in the news more frequently, with growing discussions about the construction of a third temple. The recent appearance of red heifers, which are required for temple purification rites according to Numbers 19, has fueled speculation that the construction of the third temple is drawing near. The increasing focus on the Temple Mount, especially in the context of these red heifers, is a powerful signal that the prophetic clock is nearing midnight.
Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount are not just pieces on a geopolitical chessboard; they are divinely ordained signs pointing to the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The world is watching this tiny nation with bated breath, not fully understanding that in doing so, they are witnessing the unfolding of God’s end-time plan. The rebirth of Israel, the centrality of Jerusalem, and the significance of the Temple Mount are all clear indicators that we are living in the last days, and the Rapture is closer than ever before.
Moral Decay
The apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, provided a sobering description of the moral climate in the last days. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, he warned:
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
This passage is not just a description of ancient times; it is a mirror reflecting our current society. The moral decay we witness today is staggering, as once-unthinkable behaviors are now celebrated and normalized. We are living in a time when good is called evil, and evil is called good (Isaiah 5:20). The moral compass of society has been so twisted that basic principles of right and wrong are no longer clear.
One glaring example of this moral decay is the breakdown of the family unit. Marriage, once considered sacred and lifelong, is now viewed as a temporary arrangement. Divorce rates remain high, and the traditional family structure is under constant attack. The sanctity of life is also under siege, with the widespread acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. Moreover, the rise of the LGBTQ+ movement, with its aggressive promotion of sexual immorality, has not only redefined gender and sexuality but has also sought to silence and marginalize those who hold to biblical values.
Violence and lawlessness are on the rise as well, with cities around the world experiencing unprecedented levels of crime and unrest. The entertainment industry glorifies brutality, immorality, and rebellion, feeding these destructive behaviors into the hearts and minds of young and old alike. What was once condemned is now embraced, and the consequences of this shift are manifesting in the form of social and spiritual chaos.
In addition to the moral decay, Scripture warns that the last days will also see a rise in false teachers and prophets. Jesus Himself cautioned in Matthew 24:11, "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many". These deceivers often come in the guise of spiritual leaders, preaching a distorted gospel that appeals to people's desires rather than calling them to repentance and truth. The apostle Paul echoed this warning, saying in 2 Timothy 4:3-4:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."
This proliferation of false teachings contributes to the moral decline, as people are led away from the truth of God's Word and into spiritual deception. These false prophets and teachers, often charismatic and persuasive, draw large followings, further spreading lies and leading many astray. The rise of these deceivers is another clear sign that we are living in the last days, as they are laying the groundwork for the ultimate deception that will be carried out by the Antichrist during the Tribulation.
As believers, we recognize that these are not just societal changes; they are signs of the times. The moral decay, lawlessness, and rise of false teachers and prophets we see around us are clear indicators that the world is ripe for judgment and that the Rapture is drawing near. The Bible predicts that the last days will be marked by an increase in wickedness and deception, and what we are witnessing is the fulfillment of that prophecy in real-time.
Infrastructure of the Antichrist System
In Revelation 13, the Bible warns of a future world leader, often referred to as the Antichrist, who will rise to power and establish a one-world government. This leader will not only wield political control but also demand religious allegiance, enforcing a system where all must worship him and receive his mark. The infrastructure for this Antichrist system is being put in place before our very eyes, as the push for global government and the development of advanced technology converge.
One of the most significant developments in recent years is the move toward Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). These digital currencies, controlled by central banks, have the potential to revolutionize the global financial system. While the convenience of digital currencies is often touted, the underlying danger is the unprecedented level of control they could give to governments. With CBDCs, every transaction could be tracked, monitored, and potentially controlled. This kind of financial oversight could easily be weaponized to enforce the Antichrist’s mark, as described in Revelation 13:16-17:
“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”
In addition to CBDCs, there is a growing reliance on biometric technology, which includes facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and other methods of identifying individuals based on unique physical characteristics. While these technologies are often presented as solutions to security and identity verification challenges, they also pave the way for the kind of control system that the Bible predicts. Imagine a world where access to basic necessities is contingent upon biometric verification linked to a central database. This scenario is not far-fetched; it is being developed right now.
The push for a global government is also gaining momentum. In response to crises such as pandemics, climate change, and economic instability, there is an increasing call for nations to unite under a single governing authority. This movement toward global governance aligns perfectly with the prophetic narrative of the Bible, which foretells the rise of a powerful, centralized government that will dominate the world during the Tribulation.
These developments are not random or coincidental; they are deliberate steps toward the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The systems and technologies that will enable the Antichrist to exert total control over the world are already being put into place. The infrastructure for the mark of the beast is being constructed before our very eyes, and the push for globalism is laying the groundwork for the one-world government that will be established during the Tribulation.
As believers, we must recognize these signs for what they are. The Rapture is imminent, and the world is being prepared for the rise of the Antichrist. We are living in the final moments of the Church Age, and the urgency to be ready has never been greater. Let us not be caught off guard, but instead, let us watch, pray, and warn others of the coming judgment and the blessed hope of Christ’s return.
Urgency in Light of the Coming Rapture
Given the overwhelming evidence that we are living in the last days, the question for believers is: what should we do? The answer is simple: live with urgency and anticipation.
Watch and Pray
Jesus emphasized the importance of staying alert in Luke 21:36:
“But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
The Rapture will be sudden and unexpected. We must remain vigilant, watching and praying, so that we are not caught unprepared. Our Lord’s return is imminent, and we must be ready at all times to meet Him.
Live Holy Lives
In light of the coming Rapture, we are called to live lives of holiness and godliness. The apostle Paul reminds us in Titus 2:11-13:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
Our lives should be a testimony to the world of the transforming power of the Gospel. We must shun sin and pursue righteousness, living in a way that reflects our hope in Christ’s soon return.
Share the Gospel
Time is short, and the harvest is plentiful. Jesus said in John 9:4:
“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.”
The urgency of the hour demands that we share the Gospel with everyone we can. The night is coming when the opportunity to evangelize will be over. We must seize the moment and proclaim the good news of salvation to all who will listen.
Encourage One Another
The writer of Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews 10:24-25:
“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
As the day of the Lord’s return draws near, we must be diligent in encouraging and building up one another in the faith. The trials and tribulations of these last days can be overwhelming, but we are not alone. We are the body of Christ, and we must support and uplift each other as we await the Rapture.
Conclusion
Just as the body can sense the approach of a storm, our spirits can sense the nearness of the Rapture. The signs are all around us, and they are growing in intensity. The world is in turmoil, and the stage is set for the fulfillment of end-times prophecy. Jesus Christ is coming soon to take His Church out of this world before the Tribulation begins. We must be ready.
Let us not be like the Pharisees, who could predict the weather but were blind to the spiritual signs of the times. Instead, let us be vigilant, living lives of holiness and urgency, sharing the Gospel with a lost and dying world, and encouraging one another as we see the day of the Lord drawing near.
The aches and pains of the world, be they in the physical, moral, or spiritual realms, are like the groanings of a weary body sensing an approaching storm. These groanings signal that the Rapture is near, and we must prepare our hearts and lives accordingly.
Imagine the joy and relief that will flood our souls when we hear the trumpet sound and are caught up to meet the Lord in the air! This is the blessed hope that the apostle Paul spoke of in Titus 2:13 "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus". This is not a hope tinged with fear or uncertainty, but a confident expectation that Jesus is coming to rescue us before the wrath of God is poured out on this earth.
As we look around and see the signs of the times, our response should be one of joyful anticipation and diligent preparation. The Rapture is not just an escape from the coming judgment; it is a glorious reunion with our Savior, a culmination of our faith, and the beginning of eternity in His presence.
In light of this, what kind of people ought we to be? We ought to be a people of prayer, fervently interceding for the lost and seeking God's strength to endure these challenging days. We ought to be a people of purity, living in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord and worthy of our calling as His children. We ought to be a people of proclamation, boldly sharing the Gospel and the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Finally, we ought to be a people of perseverance, holding fast to our faith and encouraging one another to stand firm as we wait for that glorious day when we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
The Rapture is coming. I can feel it in my bones. The signs are clear, the time is short, and the urgency is real. Let us live each day in the light of His imminent return, always ready, always watching, and always working for the Kingdom.
May we be found faithful when that moment arrives, so that we can say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!