Blog note. Occasionally, I post an article or letter written by another Christian that I believe is ‘spot on’ regarding his or her assessment of scripture as applied to prophecy or things of the ‘end times.’ The following is one such article that I think is extremely accurate in terms of how scripture is applied to today’s events, circumstances and the general conditions in our country and on earth. You are welcome to disagree or agree with this person’s assessment and comments. These are not my comments, but I agree with them and feel urged or motivated to share them. As is my practice, I blog and post many articles and ‘proof’ regarding the accuracy of the ‘season’ in which we live and of the unfolding developments which lead to the Tribulation. As a watchman, it is my job to report what I see and apply it to God’s word as provided in scripture. I’m not a theologian or a seminarian. However, my goal is to discern what I see as happening and apply the ‘proof’ of what I see against what God says/said would happen. The amount of ‘proof’ occurring today is astronomical. More so, than I believe any time prior. Other ‘watchmen’ see the same things. We all can’t be wrong. Yes, perhaps some of our interpretations are off, after all we are human. However, God asks some of us to be ‘watchmen’ and to sound a warning or alarm.  That time has come. Maybe some in the church will ‘wake up’. Thank you for following my blog. I pray that the Spirit will help you discern these things. Be a “Berean” and research these things yourself. Come to your own conclusion about the truthfulness of these things. Don’t take my word for it. God gave all of us intellect and minds capable of understanding His word and applying it as appropriate. Thank you Mr. Garcia for sharing your insight and comments. As a fellow watchman, your interpretation and theology is 100% correct and truthful. I have shared similar comments in my pervious blogs. Today, it takes strength and courage to share the gospel and scripture as it is related to the ‘season’ of the end times and to pose the question to readers regarding the status of their eternal souls. End of note.

The Feast of Rapture – Pete Garcia

http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8656

The Rapture of the Church is largely a New Testament/Christian construct first put forth by Jesus in John 14:1-3, so when it happens, many Jews who currently live in Israel will be perplexed. Since the Jews (orthodox and otherwise) are neither Christian nor read the New Testament, they will not understand what just took place. However, I believe the Rapture, along with the Gog-Magog War, and the arrival of the Two Witnesses will be what begins to change their understanding for all of this. And many will begin to understand what is beginning to happen.

Let me not end on focusing on the negatives of where this world is currently going. One of the greatest arguments for teaching, preaching, and writing about bible prophecy, is that it first points people to Jesus. Revelation 19:10 states…Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The Apostle Peter writes in 2nd Peter 1:21…for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is something God wants us to know, hence, why 30% of it is prophetic in nature. Not just the percentage mind you, but that this 30% is interspersed amongst all of Scripture. On the road to Emmaus, the resurrected Christ pointed to all of the Scripture (at that time was just the Old Testament) that pointed to Him and His coming. Almost all of prophecy, points either to Christ’s first coming, or to His Second. In fact, all of history centers on these two seminal events. If God constructed the universe and all therein, then naturally, Jesus should be the focal point by which all of human history (past, present, and future) centers around.

Bible prophecy also adjusts our situational awareness of the times in which we live. Think about the handful of people that were actively anticipating the arrival of Christ at His Incarnation. How blessed were they to understand the times in which they lived (Matt. 2, 16:17, 24:46, Luke 2:25-38). Contrast that with the sadness Christ expressed towards people who did not understand the times in which they lived (Matt. 16:1-4; Luke 19:41-44). A proper understanding of bible prophecy lets us know just how close we are to the end.

Bible prophecy also acts as shield against false doctrine. You cannot have a consistent, orthodox biblical worldview, but have an incorrect eschatology. That is impossible because Bible prophecy is so interwoven into every other doctrine (soteriology, ecclesiology, pneumatology, etc.) that an incorrect eschatology (study of last things), inevitably, influences other areas of your belief system negatively.

Furthermore, how much easier would the strong delusion be if the church never taught about prophecy? True biblical eschatology came back into serious discussion and study in the early 19th-century. However, that study was largely confined to those who attended churches who taught it. The fact that bible prophecy was brought back into the mainstream as it was, is in large part due to the popularity of Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth. That is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit’s moving and prompting us that we are indeed, close to the end.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2nd Tim. 3:16-17

Aside from the fact that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, the Holy Spirit stirs the hearts and minds of believers to what is pertinent for the times in which they live. Noah did not go around preaching about the Law, the Promised Land, the Gospel, or social-justice issues before the flood came. He preached about the coming judgment of the Flood, because that was the pressing concern for his generation.

However, there will be some who repent after the Rapture (Rev. 6:9-11, 7:1-17), and these might even be those who even now currently mock us for believing in such things. But only because we have chosen not to be silent about it, they (the current mockers and scoffers) will at least been told beforehand so that when it comes to pass, some might believe.

Finally, for those churches out there who refuse to discuss it for fear of getting into the sensational, teaching prophecy is not an either/or scenario. You can share the gospel and still teach how prophecy relates to the times in which we live. You can preach about God’s coming wrath and help the helpless. Our ability to love and grow should absolutely not impede our ability to warn as many people as we can about the things to come.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen Jude 1:20-25

Even So, Maranatha!